Brussels, 02/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - In a communication adopted on Wednesday, the European Commission recommended, on the basis of a report for each of the countries affected, that relations were intensified in the economic and political spheres with the three countries of the Caucasus and integrated into the June 2004 neighbourhood policy for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. This will also apply to two countries in the euro-Mediterranean zone - Egypt and the Lebanon by way of action plans implemented as part of the EU's neighbourhood policy. On the basis of these reports that provide an analysis of the economic and political situation, as well as bilateral relations that the EU has with these countries, the Commission is calling on the Council to reach a decision on implementing these action plans for the three countries of the Southern Caucasus (whereas the Council has already decided to develop action plans for Egypt (an association agreement is already in force) and the Lebanon (the entry into force of the association agreement is imminent). The Commission outlines, however, that for Lebanon, the timing of new stages will depend on the development of the political situation in months to come (with elections planned for May). Actions plans have already been negotiated with Israel, Jordan Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The action plans aim to go beyond the partnership and cooperation agreements by providing each of these countries the opportunity of closer relations with the EU at a high level of economic integration and deepening political cooperation with the Union over the next three to five years. Benita Ferrero Waldner Commissioner for external relations said in a press statement European neighbourhood policy was giving them the chance to increase relations with these countries. She hoped that that Council would give the green light to negotiations for an action plan for the three countries of the Southern Caucasus and that she was delighted to be able to collaborate with the Egyptian and Lebanese governments in developing an action programme for each of the two countries in the future.
Commission reports provided an assessment of progress and what remains to be done in each of these countries in the area of economic, political and institutional reform, with particular attention on the scale of the foundations of the action plans: strengthening of democracy and good governance, rule of law and human rights dialogue; strengthening of cooperation in justice, security, regional and international stability; promotion of good investment climate, promotion of trade, liberalisation of money markets and world trade integration; gradual integration into internal market and respect for standards; development of infrastructure networks (energy, transport and telecommunications, information society); cooperation on environmental issues; development of contacts between people; support for training and R&D; strengthening of civil society and opening up of certain Community programmes.
For each of these counties the action plan is expected to include its own main objectives:
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia: strengthening of the rule of law, democratic structures and pluralism. The Commission recommends: reform of electoral legislation in keeping with Council of European and OSCE recommendations, the organisation of democratic elections, constitutional reform and reform of local government in Armenia; Azerbaijan improvement in the sharing out of institutional competencies, reform of local government, strengthened legislation for election in view of improving standards on democratic elections, implementation of effective reforms regarding the rule of law (judicial apparatus and bodies in charge of applying legislation); electoral reform of legal system, prison authorities, as well as parliament and local government, in Georgia; strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, notably the freedom of expression and freedom of association, press and the media; balanced and sustainable development of the economy, improvement in business environment and modernisation of public sector. The Commission is calling for more transparency in management of oil revenues and in the privatisation process in Azerbaijan, as well as more efforts in liberalisation for its WTO accession.
It is also recommending more transparency in the privatisation process in Georgia; 4 ) poverty reduction; 5) environmental protection. The Commission is recommending the decommissioning of the nuclear plant in Medzamor in Armenia; 6) strengthened fight against corruption and fraud and reform of legislation ad customs and tax legislation; 7) resolution of conflicts and increased regional cooperation; 8) maintaining of cautious macroeconomic policy supporting effective implementation of action plan.
Egypt and Lebanon: 1) joint commitments on specific action for strengthening accession to common value in democracy and rule of law, legal matters and human rights, as well as certain objectives on foreign and security policy; 2) joint commitments on action for bring the EU and these two countries closer economically and in the areas do sustainable social and trade developments and the internal market, notably the energy, transport and environment sectors, maritime and fishery affairs, information society, research and innovation, justice an internal affairs and contacts between people.