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European Union

EU Unveils Neighbourhood Policy with Detailed Action Plans for Ukraine and Moldova

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Commission has announced a comprehensive Neighbourhood Policy, outlining three to five year Action Plans for each country, with Ukraine and Moldova being the first to receive detailed proposals. The policy aims to strengthen democracy, good governance, and human rights, while also providing economic modernisation and increased dialogue in various areas. Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner explained that the plans are designed to create a "ring of friends" around the enlarged European Union, offering countries the chance to participate in EU programmes, receive financial assistance, and align their legislation with the EU.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU Neighbourhood Policy is designed to strengthen democracy, good governance, the rule of law, and human rights, while promoting economic modernisation and increased dialogue in various areas.
  • The policy offers countries the chance to participate in EU programmes, receive financial assistance, and align their legislation with the EU to increase access to the EU Internal Market.
  • The process is a two-way street, with the EU offering to strengthen links in proportion to the partner country's readiness to implement common values.
  • Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner estimated that the Commission would produce country reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in February 2005, with a view to possible ENP Action Plans.
  • The Commission plans to issue progress reports in 2006 and 2007, and the Action Plans could pave the way for more wide-ranging European Neighbourhood Agreements.
  • Ukraine's Ambassador to the EU, Roman Shpek, expressed concern over the lack of a long-term EU strategy towards Ukraine, calling for the EU to initiate an internal discussion on the subject.
  • The European Parliament President, Josep Borrell, welcomed the development, confirming that the EP would send an observer delegation to monitor the elections in Ukraine.

Statistics:

  • The EU offers countries with Action Plans the chance to participate in EU programmes (exact number not provided).
  • The EU provides financial assistance to partner countries, with an estimated value not specified.
  • 2006 and 2007 are specified as the years when the Commission plans to issue progress reports on the Action Plans.
  • The EU aims to have a "ring of friends" around the enlarged European Union (exact number not provided).
  • 100s of people were reported to be rallying in Ukraine in support of European values (exact number not specified).

Sources:

  • Press presentation by Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner on December 9.
  • EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana's reaction to electoral and constitutional changes agreed by the Ukrainian Parliament.
  • Moldova's Ambassador to the EU, Roman Shpek, quoted in Europe Information.
  • European Parliament President Josep Borrell's statement on the EU's observer delegation to Ukraine.
  • EU Commission background document on various priorities in the Action Plans (available on EISnet: www.eis.be).

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