Brussels, 11/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - At the European Council on 8 February, the heads of state and government called on the Council to assess the effectiveness of EU policies and instruments to support the political and economic transition of the Arab Spring region, and to report back by by June 2013. They also called on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and on the European Commission to keep relations with the southern neighbourhood “under review”.
In their conclusions, the leaders call on the European institutions, the member states and their Mediterranean partners “to maintain a high level of effort and commitment”. They state that the EU “is fully resolved to engage in a mutually beneficial partnership”. This partnership is “aimed at establishing an area of shared prosperity, closer political association and progressive economic integration, and based on adherence to universal values”, they say, stating that the development of this partnership should be achieved through a wide range of instruments and requires the long term commitment of both sides.
The European Union “is determined to further enhance its support” based on a “differentiated approach” which takes into account countries' efforts towards democratic reform. The European leaders thus emphasise assistance for democratic transformation, enhanced cooperation in the area of freedom, security and justice, promotion of shared economic prosperity, people-to-people contacts, and enhanced cooperation in a wide range of fields such as research, entrepreneurship, agriculture, transport, the environment, energy and telecommunications. Noting the EU's financial commitment, the European Council states that the EU “will make every effort to support reforms and respond to the individual needs of these countries, in the short as well as in the medium and long term”. The European Council also invites the European Investment Bank to step up its support.
In addition, the European leaders underline the need to explore new ways to enhance the political dialogue, including dialogue at the highest level, and to promote synergies with regional initiatives such as the Union for the Mediterranean and the 5+5 Dialogue (Spain, Malta, Portugal, Italy, France and Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia). They believe it is also important to increase synergy between the support brought by the EU, its member states and the other actors.
Stating that the democratic transition process will take time, the European Council calls on the governments, political and social forces of the Arab Spring countries to continue their efforts “to develop stable and well-grounded democracies beyond the electoral processes, which should be free and fair, and to develop inclusive processes based on dialogue.” The European Council says that the countries must first tackle their considerable socio-economic difficulties. (CG/transl.fl)