Brussels, 03/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 3 December, the European Commission presented its proposal to strengthen European neighbourhood policy (ENP) through implementation of an “Eastern Partnership” (EP) with six EU neighbouring countries and the Caucasus: Ukraine, Georgia, Moldavia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus (the latter's participation is, in principle, highly desired by the EU but on the condition that political and democratic reforms are ready to be taken by the Minsk authorities in the next few months). Proposals will be submitted for political approval at the European Council on 11-12 December. In the event of a green light being given by the EU27 and beneficiary countries, the EP could be officially launched during a summit of leaders from these countries under the Czech Presidency of the EU, very probably in April 2009.
José Manuel Barroso informed the press that “the EU has a vital strategic interest in seeing stable and prosperous countries develop on its external borders. Our message to these six countries is clear: we want to help you to address the challenges of political and economic reforms and we support your aspirations for closer ties with the EU”. Recognising and supporting European aspirations does not, however, mean that the Eastern Partnership proposed by the Commission offers accession prospects to these countries, as the stabilisation and association agreements concluded with Balkan countries do, explained the Commission president. Barroso stated that “the Eastern Partnership does not rule out the possibility of future accession but at this stage, it is the maximum that Europe can offer. We will keep the doors open but we cannot go any further today”.
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner is refusing to consider the EP as a “consolation prize” for very ambitious countries like Ukraine, which do not cease to express their determination to join the EU. The Commissioner affirmed that “the goal is to promote the process of reforms in these countries and to bring them closer to the EU. The EP does not offer any perspective for accession but rather, reinforces neighbourhood policy. We are not pre-judging the future of these countries. We can only encourage them and help them to pursue their reforms”.
In an address to Moscow, Mr Barroso stressed that by bolstering links with its neighbours in the East and in the Caucuses, the EU had no intention of developing new “spheres of influence” in Russia's immediate vicinity. Mr Barroso explained that the war in Georgia had certainly reinforced the conviction that the Commission wanted to do something for these neighbouring countries but “the Eastern Partnership is not being made out of any logic of confrontation or to create new divisions in Europe”. Mr Barroso posed the question of why, “with the cold war finished, would they erect new zones of influence?” Barroso underlined the fact that it was also in Russia's interest to have stable and prosperous relations with neighbouring countries.
The Commission is proposing to deepen bilateral relations with each of the six countries in a way that goes further than originally planned in the ENP “action plans” (but in a differentiated way, with each at its own pace). It also proposes that the basis of a new framework for multilateral cooperation is developed. This multilateral framework is expected to facilitate closer cooperation between the six countries on common problems and challenges involving rapprochement with the EU.
Bilaterally, the Commission is suggesting the conclusion of association agreements with those that want them and can meet the demands of such a demanding relationship. Association agreements also include negotiations for free trade agreements, initially limited to certain sectors but which can be extended into “deep and comprehensive free trade zones” as soon as beneficiary countries have joined the WTO. The EU is also encouraging the six countries to establish regional free trade between them, which in the long term could lead to the creation of a Neighbourhood Economic Community covering the EU and EP countries. The Commission is also proposing to launch new programmes in the area of “institution building”, which aim to improve administrative capacity and legislative alignment of the countries on the aquis communautaire. There is also a proposal for concluding Mobility and Security Pacts to facilitate travelling for citizens to the EU. The initial phase will facilitate visa award procedures with countries that still have not concluded such agreements (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus). The ultimate aim for all countries is visa exemption, but in a differentiated way. The Commission will also carry out a study on possibilities for opening up more of the EU labour market to citizens from EP countries. It is also suggesting that programmes centre on economic and social development in the six countries.
Multilaterally, the Commission is proposing the creation of four “multilateral strategic platforms” - democracy and good governance; economic integration and convergence with EU policies; energy security; inter-personnel contacts - to support ongoing reforms in beneficiary countries. Other multilateral initiatives are proposed, notably an integrated border control programme, which aims to introduce the same control and security standards as in the EU. The Commission is also proposing the setting up of a facility to support small and medium-sized enterprises, the promotion of regional electricity markets and a Southern Energy Corridor to diversify transit routes and energy supplies for the EU and six partner countries. (H.B./transl.rh)