Est. 1min 15-06-2004 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Fine-tuning its European Neighbourhood Policy, the Council has decided to include Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the process. Read more with Euractiv EU citizens in favour of a legal immigration policyA new Eurobarometer survey focusing on justice and home affairs shows that EU citizens support the development of a legal immigration policy. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters BackgroundThe EU will include Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in its European Neighbourhood Policy framework through which it aims to improve relations with the Union's new neighbours to the East and South (see also ). The decision to this effect, which was reached by the External Relations Council in Luxembourg on 14 June, has been hailed by EU foreign ministers as a "significant step forward in the Union's engagement with this region". The broad aim of the ENP is for the EU and its neighbours to "share the benefits of an enlarged EU". The ENP "offers the prospect of an increasingly close relationship, in the spirit of the Council's conclusions of 16 June 2003". The Council decided to pursue the ENP through specific Action Plans with the countries concerned. The plans should have a minimum duration of three years and should promote regional cooperation. According to the Council conclusions, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia will be given the same opportunity to develop links with the EU, including through action plans, and will be treated on their individual merits in line with the general policy of the ENP. Meanwhile, the Council has invited the Commission to finalise exploratory talks on the draft Action Plans with Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
