THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP – AN AMBITIOUS NEW CHAPTER IN THE EU’S RELATIONS WITH ITS EASTERN NEIGHBOURS

armradio.am
03.12.2008 17:29

The Commission’s proposal for a new Eastern Partnership represents
a step change in the EU’s relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus , Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This ambitious Partnership
foresees a substantial upgrading of the level of political engagement,
including the prospect of a new generation of Association Agreements,
far-reaching integration into the EU economy, easier travel to
the EU for citizens providing that security requirements are met,
enhanced energy security arrangements benefitting all concerned,
and increased financial assistance.

The EU proposes much more intensive day to day support for partners’
reform efforts through a new Comprehensive Institution Building
programme, and a new multilateral dimension which will bring partners
together to address common challenges. The new Partnership includes
new measures to support the social and economic development of the 6
countries, and five flagship initiatives that will give very concrete
evidence of the EU’s support.

President José Manuel Barroso stated: "Only with strong political
will and commitment on both sides will the Eastern Partnership achieve
its objective of political association and economic integration. We
need to make an even greater investment in mutual stability and
prosperity. This will be quickly compensated by important political
and economic benefits and will lead to more stability and security
both for the EU and for our Eastern partners."

"The time is ripe to open a new chapter in relations with our Eastern
neighbours" -Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner added. "Building on
the progress of the last years we have prepared an ambitious and
at the same time well-balanced offer. The security and stability of
the EU is affected by events taking place in Eastern Europe and in
the Southern Caucasus. Our policy towards these countries should be
strong, proactive and unequivocal.

The EU will continue with the successful approach of tailor-made
programmes on a new scale and add a strong multilateral dimension. It
remains our principle though that progress must go hand in hand with
reform efforts by our partners, but this new package also offers more
intensive assistance to help them meet their goals."

The Eastern Partnership responds to the desire of the EU’s Eastern
neighbours to move closer to the European Union. Yet, it is also in
the EU’s vital interest to contribute to the development of stability,
better governance and economic development at its Eastern borders.

Since 1989 sweeping changes have occurred on the EU’s eastern flank.

Successive enlargements have brought greater geographic proximity
with our Eastern neighbours, while refor ms supported by the European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) have brought these countries politically and
economically closer to the EU. The EU has a growing responsibility
to the partners to help them address the political and economic
challenges they face and support their aspirations for closer ties,
not least in the light of the conflict in Georgia last summer.

Following the conflict in the Caucasus the European Council of the
1st September requested the Commission to present its proposal earlier
than previously foreseen.

Following consultations with the Eastern Partners the Commission
proposes to engage more deeply bilateral relations with the
Eastern Partners and to launch a new multilateral framework for
cooperation. The main new points of the initiative are:

New association agreements including deep and comprehensive free trade
agreements for those willing and ready to take on the far-reaching
commitments with the EU that these entail; Comprehensive programmes
funded by the EU to improve partners’ administrative capacity; Gradual
integration into the EU economy (with the asymmetry appropriate to
the partners’ economies) including legally binding commitments on
regulatory approximation; Encourage partners to develop a free trade
network between themselves which could in the longer term join up
into a Neighbourhood Economic Community The conclusion of "mobility
and security pacts", allowing for easier legitimate travel to the
EU while at the same time stepping up efforts to combat corruption,
organized crime and illegal migration. These pacts would also cover
the upgrading asylum systems to EU standards and the establishment
of integrated border management structures, etc. the ultimate goal
being visa-free travel with all cooperating partners; The Commission
will study possibilities for labour mobility with the aim of opening
the EU labour market further; Enhanced energy security for the EU
and its Eastern Partners; Programmes addressing economic and social
development in the partner countries, particularly addressing sharp
economic and social disparities in their countries Creation of four
multilateral policy platforms: on Democracy, good governance and
stability; Economic integration and convergence with EU policies,
Energy security; and Contacts between people to further support
partners’ individual reform efforts Flagship initiatives: Integrated
Border Management Programme; SME facility; promotion of Regional
electiricity markets, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;
development of the Southern energy corridor; and co operation on
Prevention, preparedness for and response to natural and man-made
disasters More people-to-people contacts and greater involvement
of civil society and other stakeholders, including the European
Parliament; Additional financial assistance – 350mln.

The Commission proposes to launch this initiative in spring 2009 at
a special "Eastern Partnership Summit".

–Boundary_(ID_kTO1WNH0M8D1q9LGoo9L Zw)–