Brussels, 23/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 23 October, the European Parliament called for better application of the “more for more” principle as part of the EU's assistance to Eastern Neighbourhood and Mediterranean partners. In the resolution drafted by Jacek Saryusz Wolski (EPP, Poland) and Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy), which they adopted, MEPs called for “more coherent application of the incentive and differentiated approaches, as well as the 'more for more' principle, which is key to the revised European neighbourhood policy (ENP)”. They are also calling for, if necessary, “the 'less for less' principle to be applied to countries whose efforts have not been sufficient for implementing far-reaching and sustainable democracy” or undertaking the reforms agreed. The MEPs consider that incoherent application or the absence of application of this principle can undermine the leverage effect and credibility of the EU, as well as the ENP process. During the debate the previous day, Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle, himself, recognised “the need to apply the differentiation and 'more for more' principles, whilst taking into account the specificity of each of our partners, the progress made in their reform efforts and their different levels of commitments with the EU”.
In its resolution, Parliament also called for a hands-on assessment of the new ENP's effectiveness and called for efforts to be stepped up to ensure that all the EU's instruments and policies are used coherently in the context of this policy. Jacek Saryusz Wolski informed the press that what was needed was a strong European neighbourhood policy that was “more dynamic and robust than it has previously been”. He added that a policy based on the values and principles of the EU was also needed.
In their text, MEPs said that the Commission should enhance the visibility of the Eastern Partnership and Union for the Mediterranean projects in partner countries.
In the resolution, MEPs provide further details about the Eastern Partnership and the Mediterranean Neighbourhood, as well as the different EU neighbourhood countries. (CG/transl.fl)