Brussels, 15/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 May, the European Commission adopted progress reports on 12 of the European Union's neighbourhood countries - Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco - and two communications, one on the new European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the other setting out details of a roadmap for the Eastern Partnership summit in autumn 2013 (see EUROOE 10614). Despite the progress made, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle said he felt the EU could do more. The EU had to speed up the pace of its achievements, and encourage investment, industrial cooperation and social dialogue, he said, stating that it was essential to continue to challenge the EU's neighbours on important reforms.
The communication on the new ENP highlights the results of the past year. The EU has re-oriented its assistance programmes and made €1 billion more available in 2011-2013. It has increased the lending ceilings of the European Investment Bank (EIB) by €1.15 billion, and successfully proposed the extension of the mandate of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to the EU's southern neighbours. Applying the reform-rewarding logic of “more for more”, the EU has supported those partners embarking on political reforms. In Tunisia, the EU has doubled its financial assistance from €80 million to €160 million in 2011. Task forces have been put in place with Tunisia and Jordan. A Civil Society Facility covering all ENP countries was launched in September with an initial budget of €26 million for 2011.
2011 also saw substantial progress on political association with partner countries of the ENP. Negotiations on an association agreement have been launched with Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Progress has been made on economic integration (so called deep and comprehensive free trade areas as an integral part of association agreements); negotiations were launched with Moldova and Georgia, and will shortly be launched with Armenia. Similar negotiations with Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia are likely to be opened before the end of the year. Talks on the free-trade area are essential for encouraging harmonisation with the acquis communautaire.
Visas. On mobility, the EU is not sitting on its hands. “We are moving slowly but surely towards a visa-free area” with the countries of the East, the commissioner added. Steps have been taken towards visa liberalisation with Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. A mobility partnership has been recently established with Armenia and negotiations on a similar partnership with Azerbaijan could be launched soon. Dialogues on migration, mobility and security have been launched with Morocco and Tunisia, opening the way to mobility partnerships. (SP/transl.rt)