Ferrero-Waldner: Neighbourhood Policy proving its worth

The Commission has expressed satisfaction over the European Neighbourhood Policy’s progress last year, and is preparing to move the process forward.

Further Action Plans are being drafted by the Commission in order to deepen and widen its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) framework. The first action plans were presented a year ago, and according to External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner the ENP “is already confirming its potential”. 

In its assessment of the ENP over the past 12 months, the Commission said that 

• seven action plans have already been formally adopted (with Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine) and their implementation and monitoring is under way
• preparations have been made for the use of twinning and the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Programme (TAIEX) with ENP partners
• the member states increasingly align their bilateral assistance programmes with the ENP’s reform priorities
• the international financial institutions increasingly adjust their strategic agenda to the ENP’s action plans

As for the priorities for 2006-2007, the Commission aims to

• complete further action plans 
• set up an ENP-specific scholarship scheme
• ensure adequate financing for ENP under the 2007-2013 financial perspectives
• work on the ENP’s long-term perspectives.

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