EU: CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS JEOPARDIZE EUROPEAN SECURITY
PanARMENIAN.Net
15.11.2007 14:33 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During discussions of the European Neighborhood
Policy report at the plenary session of the European Parliament in
Strasbourg on 14 November, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU Commissioner
for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, stated
that the Neighborhood Policy is an EU major policy and its successes
play a decisive role in ensuring security, stability and prosperity
to EU countries and their neighbors. So, this policy should be more
influential and confident, and ensure the security of all countries,
she noted.
Waldner also stressed the importance of applying this policy in
different sectors. The European Neighborhood Policy attaches great
importance to economic integration, movement of citizens and energy
policy in relation to partners. She also noted that the European
Parliament could play a considerable role in the spheres important
to the EU, such as political cooperation, human rights and building
of the state on the rule of law.
EU Commissioner informed of the plans to establish an Investment
Fund of the EU Neighborhood Policy. The Fund will contribute in
the implementation of major projects in the energy and transport
sectors. At the same time she noted the importance of simplifying
the visa regime between these countries with respect to consolidating
relations among them.
Waldner stressed the significance of the relevance of political
parameters of partner countries under the European Neighborhood
Policy and touching upon the neighborhood of countries, located in
the east of the EU, she noted the importance of attaching special
importance to the resolution of ‘lingering conflicts’ existing in their
territory. "The conflicts put obstacles for our partners in conduct of
reforms and sometimes pose threats for our security. Therefore, the
Neighborhood Policy should play a positive role in the establishment
of an adequate atmosphere in the resolution of ‘lingering conflicts’,
in the South Caucasus," she said.
She said that to achieve more efficient results in 2008 the EU will
develop an action plan. "In April 2008 we will present a report on
every country. The reports will analyze the work and the improvement
of the situation with the implementation of an action plan of partner
countries," she stressed, Trend reports