Brussels, 05/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 5 December, the European Commission adopted a communication in which it proposes the priority actions that it and member states should take in 2008 to strengthen the European neighbourhood policy (ENP). In the spring, the Commission will bring forward a further communication on the additional efforts that the 16 partner countries (Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine) should make to ensure the success of this policy. Progress reports from each of the countries on implementation of the action plans will also be published.
This document follows on from another Commission communication of December 2006, which aimed to make the ENP more effective (see EUROPE 9320). Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner is in no doubt that “considerable progress” has been made since December 2006: the new Investment Facility is in place; the first allocations have been made (to Morocco and Ukraine) under the new Governance Facility; the Black Sea Synergy has been launched; programmes and Community agencies are beginning to open in ENP countries (Israel is about to take part in the Competitiveness and Innovation programme); the Cooperation Policy has been strengthened with Jordan and Morocco, which have now aligned with EU CFSP statements. Nonetheless, there is still “much to be done, both on the EU side and by partner countries,” Ferrero-Waldner said in a press conference.
The following are the EU priorities identified by the Commission for 2008:
Strengthening economic integration. The conclusion of free trade agreements covering all trade in goods and services between the EU and ENP partners remains the objective. Talks are progressing, but there are wide disparities from one country to another. Negotiations with Ukraine were begun in 2007 on a new partnership agreement, which also provides for the creation of a free trade area, once Ukraine joins the WTO. The Commission has also proposed autonomous trade preferences for Moldova. Feasibility studies on free trade agreements with Georgia and Armenia will be completed in 2008. Negotiations on liberalising services, the right of establishment and trade in agricultural products are continuing with the Mediterranean countries. Work will begin with these countries in 2008 to draw up a road map to 2010 and beyond to upgrade existing agreements. In general terms, in 2008, “the EU side needs to show increased political commitment to foster economic integration and to improve market access,” according to the Commission.
Enhancing mobility. The ability of people to move is crucial for many aspects of the ENP. The Commission proposes, therefore, facilitation of legitimate short-term travel and, ultimately, to consider “more ambitious developments in the area of managed migration”, potentially involving the opening of member states' labour markets “where this is to the mutual advantage of the sending and receiving countries”. This increased mobility must, however, be accompanied by a commitment from ENP countries to increase security and justice and to combat illegal immigration, the Commission emphasises. It urges the Council and the European Parliament to adopt its 2006 package on legislative proposals, which aim to revise the European Visa policy. In the meantime, the Commission calls on member states to make full use of the existing opportunities to facilitate travel, particularly with regard to the Local Border Traffic Regulation. This regulation allows bilateral agreements to be concluded with neighbouring third countries to improve people-to-people contacts in border areas.
Helping to resolve “frozen” conflicts in the neighbourhood (Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh, the Middle East and the Western Sahara). The Commission wants the EU to make a greater contribution towards resolving these conflicts by promoting political, economic and legal reform in the countries and regions affected, and by helping to build confidence. “The example of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova integrating EC and CFSP instruments in one approach shows how this can work,” the Commission says, and it is willing to draw up, with the Council, further proposals on conflict resolution, using both Community and non-Community instruments.
Promoting sectoral reform. In 2008, the Commission will pursue the sectoral policy dialogue to continue to support reform in ENP countries in areas such as energy, climate change, the environment, research, health, transport, the information society and maritime policy.
Opening Community programmes and agencies. Talks are on-going with Israel (see above), Morocco and Ukraine. In 2008, the Commission will maintain its contacts with other ENP countries to determine what would be in their interests and how able they would be to take part in Community activities. (H.B.)