Elseneur, 30/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - During the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers in Elseneur, CFSP High Representative Javier Solana and European Commissioner Chris Patten presented a document on EU relations with its new neighbours after enlargement. This completes the framework of already well-structured relations with the Mediterranean (Barcelona Process), the Balkans (Stabilisation and Association Process) and Russia. This strategy could be reflected in new "neighbourly" agreements. The Commission will present a communication this autumn to complete the discussion.
Prospects of accession are already the "explicit aim" of association agreements with the Balkan States, but are "explicitly excluded" with Mediterranean countries, except for the countries that are already candidates, notes the paper. Between the two extremes, relations with future Eastern European neighbours are more "uncomfortable" and clarifying the ambiguous situation (mainly with Ukraine which is more actively seeking concrete recognition of its European aspirations) is no doubt the most immediate challenge of the neighbourly policy, say Mr Solana and Mr Patten. It is therefore a question of finding a "realistic political framework for the next ten years, without closing off any option for a more distant future". Five fields of action are identified: 1) strengthened political dialogue in terms of quality, rather than having more and more high level meetings; 2) economic and commercial cooperation, mainly by accelerating negotiations at the WTO ("the Commission will examine the future stages towards complete trade liberalisation possibly including free trade"); 3) cooperation with justice and home affairs, including on border controls and immigration; 4) financial aid and concentration of existing resources through a new proximity instrument, for example, which would consolidate the crossborder elements of TACIS, PHARE, CARDS and Interreg; 5) integration in European policies (consumers, competition, education, culture and the environment). Solana and Patten wonder whether it is necessary to conclude new agreements. In such a case, it would be necessary to refrain from "cosmetic changes" that distract attention or which are a substitute for more substantial measures, and the debate must be conducted carefully so as not to engender "unrealistic expectations". In practice, Ukraine could gain more from new measures of encouragement, as its political elite and its government are largely in favour of a pro-European agenda and as it has set itself ambitious aims in this field. Progress depends largely on Ukraine's ability to implement new reforms, but the possibility of reaching an agreement between neighbours or something similar could play a driving role, states the paper. The situation is "completely different" with Belarus and Moldova. Belarus has practically no formal relations with the EU, as the partnership and association agreement signed in 1995 has not come into force. Moldova, for its part, is in a situation of crisis that could make any long term strategy superfluous. For now, the EU must ask itself how to resolve problems that will be at its door "sooner or later" and the key to the political and economic future of the country is the solution of the conflict in Transnistria.