Brussels, 28/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - At the third Assembly of the Eastern Partnership and Civil Society Forum in Poznan on Monday 28 November, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and the Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle announced that the Commission was to “continue to work” to increase the involvement of civil society in “all aspects of the Eastern Partnership” and encourage the government to create inclusive processes for its involvement.
Füle stressed the importance of civil society involvement in economic integration, climate change, energy and fundamental rights issues. “In all of these areas, it is clear that we will not be able to achieve our objectives just by engaging with the governments. We need your participation, both as individual organisations and via the Civil Society Forum”, he added.
The aim of this third forum was to adapt a “clear and coherent plan” on the role of civil society in executing the work of the Eastern Partnership. The assembly also examined the progress of the countries of the Eastern Partnership in setting in place democratic reforms. The commissioner reiterated the “crucial role” of civil society in supporting reforms and verifying their implementation.
Füle also referred to the creation of the support facility for civil society of 2011 in the framework of the neighbourhood policy, which has a budget of €65 million to support the work of civil society over the next two years. (CG/transl.fl)