The European Neighbourhood Policy March 2005 Alexis Loeber

Enlargement is changing the European neighbourhood § EU’s 5 th Enlargement (2004 / 2007) is changing political geography of Europe § EU 25 now has 450 Mio citizens § EU gains new borders § New opportunities – new challenges § Need for greater engagement with neighbours East & South

European Neighbourhood Policy Principles: § ENP is not about enlargement § ENP opens doors; it does not close any § ENP does not replace contractual framework; it builds on the existing PCA

What is ENP? § A specific policy for the new neighbours of the enlarged EU § ENP addresses neighbours in the East, the Mediterranean, and the Southern Caucasus § … but not countries with an accession perspective (Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia… )

The EU and its partners

ENP partner countries § Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus § [Russian Federation: Strategic Partnership through the creation of four common spaces] § Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan § Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco

European Neighbourhood Policy Vision: Ring of friends, sharing the EU's fundamental values and objectives, drawn into an increasingly close relationship, going beyond co-operation to involve a significant measure of economic and political integration

European Neighbourhood Policy Mutual commitment to common values: • Rule of law • Good governance • Respect for human rights • The promotion of good neighbourly relations • Principles of market economy • Sustainable development

European Neighbourhood Policy Method: § Reinvigorate existing relations § Selectively use experience from the enlargement process § Gradual alignment with acquis

European Neighbourhood Policy • In June 2004, Armenia (with Azerbaijan and Georgia) included in the ENP • Commission was invited to report on progress made. Result: Country Report, presenting: • Progress under the existing Partnership and Co-operation Agreement • Development democracy, the rule of law, human rights • Regional stability and co-operation in justice and home affairs • Economic and social reforms • Further liberalisation of trade • Gradual participation in the Internal Market

European Neighbourhood Policy Based on Country Report for Armenia: • European Commission recommends intensification of relations • Development of an Action Plan • ENP goes beyond Partnership and Co operation Agreement • Significant degree of economic integration • Deepening of political cooperation • It is now for the Council of Ministers to decide

European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans: § Key operational instrument § Country-specific, tailor-made political § § § documents Jointly defined priorities for political and economic reforms Short & medium term priorities Guidance for assistance programming

European Neighbourhood Policy Armenia: Commission recommends Action Plan which should include: • Strengthening the rule of law, of democratic structures and pluralism • Strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms • Improvements in the business climate as well as public sector modernisation • Further efforts to tackle corruption and fraud • Reform of tax and customs administrations and legislation • Progress in poverty reduction • Progress on sustainable development and environmental protection • The decommissioning of the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant • Progress towards conflict resolution and enhanced regional cooperation. • It is for the Council of Ministers to decide

Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Objectives: • progressive economic integration and deeper political cooperation • address opportunities and challenges of EU / neighbour proximity

Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2000 -2006: TACIS € 3, 1 bn 2007 -2013: European Neighbourhood & Partnership Instrument (ENPI) policy-driven instrument covering (all) assistance to partners with simplified approach for cross-border co-operation, € 14, 93 bn

European Neighbourhood Policy Conclusions: § ENP is ambitious offer for new political framework for relations with neighbours § ENP is of mutual, long-term interest § ENP is an EU priority § EU offers considerable financial and technical assistance

ENP – More information Dedicated web site on Europa server under “Commission –International Affairs”: http: //europa. eu. int/comm/world/enp/index_en. htm