EU unveils ‘new neighbourhood’ deals

Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has presented a set
of new EU action plans that aim to reach out to seven of the
Union’s new neighbours.

The EU’s new three-year action plans for seven of the bloc’s new
neighbours do not go as far as offering prospective membership to
Ukraine, Moldova, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and the
Palestinian Authority – but do not rule it out either.

Presenting the tailor-made action plans on 9 December,
Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita
Ferrero-Waldner said that the documents establish the
backbone for the EU’s related policy aims over the next five
years. Alongside the seven new neighbours, the EU will consider in
February 2005 whether to compile similar plans for Egypt, Lebanon,
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Ferrero-Waldner stressed that the European Neighbourhood Policy
(ENP) is “not an enlargement policy. It does not prejudge prospects
for European countries that may at some future point wish to apply
for membership, but it does not provide for a specific accession
prospect either”. She said that the ENP was “an offer”
for “much deeper co-operation and a progressive integration”.

The EU’s partners in the action plans will commit themselves to
adjust their laws to European standards, and also to fight against
terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
They will also agree to work towards peacefully resolving all
regional conflicts. Furthermore, the new neighbours could also
participate in EU policies in the fields of environment, education
and research, energy, transport and communication, and they will
qualify for easy access to the EU’s 450 million consumers.

The action plans will now be forwarded to the Council for
endorsement, and to the relevant Association or Co-operation
Council for approval.

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