| Author (Corporate) | European Commission, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy |
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| Series Title | JOIN |
| Series Details | (2012) 14 final (15.5.12) |
| Publication Date | 15/05/2012 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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In 2011 changes in the neighbourhood, in particular in the Southern Mediterranean but also in Eastern Europe, led to a rapid EU response. Within weeks, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission issued a Joint Communication on a Partnership for democracy and shared prosperity setting out the immediate response to the unfolding historic events. Combined with the revision of the neighbourhood policy, this resulted in a "New strategy for a changing European neighbourhood". This sent a clear message of solidarity and support to the peoples of the Southern Mediterranean. Their struggle for democracy, dignity, prosperity and safety from persecution would be supported by Europe. Europe would also bring its experience and know how to help them address the challenges of transition from authoritarianism to democracy. This has been a top priority for the new European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission. Building on the achievements of the Eastern Partnership, the new policy was also a response to the call of the EU's Eastern European partners for closer political association and deeper economic integration with the EU. The successful Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw and the Summit's Joint Declaration gave a further impetus to the implementation of the new approach. The policy is based on new features, including a "more for more" approach, the importance of mutual accountability between the EU and its partners, the need for partnerships not only with governments but also with civil society (e.g. NGOs, businesses, academia, media, unions, and religious groups) and a recognition of the special role of women in reshaping both politics and society. The new ENP approach also recognised the importance of differentiation and tailors relations to the level of ambitions of partners. It is therefore based on the respect for every partners' specificities and their own reform path. The new policy has enshrined greater flexibility and set out a framework for tailored responses, matching the specific requirements of the countries, their progress in undertaking reforms, and the nature of the partnership they seek with the EU. A year on, this Joint Communication of the High Representative and the Commission gives an assessment of the implementation of the new approach. The Communication, accompanied by a set of staff working documents, shows that the EU has been quick in laying the policy’s new foundations, and that most partner countries have responded positively, indicating their readiness to pursue political and economic reform with increased determination and to engage more deeply with the EU. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=JOIN:2012:014:FIN |
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| Countries / Regions | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Eastern Europe, Europe, Georgia, Middle East, Moldova, Ukraine |
