Brussels, 07/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission presented its financial proposals for 2014-2020 on Wednesday 7 December. These proposals amount to €96.2494 billion at today's prices. The new instruments “will allow us to respond better to our partner's needs and ambitions”, said Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Füle. He said that through the new European neighbourhood instrument and the instrument for pre-accession assistance, “support to our neighbours will become faster and more flexible, allowing for increased differentiation and incentives for best performers”.
Accession aid. The Commission proposes that the pre-accession instrument, which provides financial assistance to countries as they prepare to join the EU, be allocated €14.110, the same level as for 2013. Commissioner Füle proposes improving this instrument with a more coherent reflection of political priorities in a multi-annual strategy, targeting key sectors for reform. He also wants a more tailored approach reflecting the needs of the countries, increased flexibility and simplification for faster and easier access to funding, and a system of performance incentives to help allocate funds more easily to the best performing countries and sectors. “These innovations to IPA will require stronger political commitment”, he stated.
Neighbourhood support. €18.182 billion will go to the European neighbourhood instrument (ENI) which will provide increased support to 16 partner countries to the east and south of the EU's borders, compared with €12 billion for 2007-2013. “We are today proposing a substantial increase in the resources … because peace, prosperity and sustainable democratisation in our neighbours are increasingly important for the security of the EU and its citizens”, Füle said. The ENI will be based on the new principles of the ENP, in particular “More for More” and increased differentiation.
The Commission also proposes allocating €2.829 billion to the instrument for stability, which helps prevent and respond to crises and to create a safe and stable environment; €1.578 billion to the European instrument for democracy and human rights (EIDHR); €631 million to the instrument for nuclear safety cooperation (INSC); and €219 million to the instrument for Greenland.
The Commission proposals will now be submitted to the Council and the European Parliament for adoption in 2012. (CG/transl.rt)