The aim is to establish what relationships the Union should have with neighbouring countries
The EU has started a consultation on the future of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), which had last been reviewed in 2011.
The consultation is open to partners in neighbouring countries and stakeholders across the EU and will close at the end of June. It will follow four priorities: differentiation: focus; flexibility; ownership; and visibility. Five areas where both sides share common interests have already been identified: trade and economic development; connectivity; security; governance; migration and mobility.
The ENP was designed in 2003 to develop closer relations between the EU and its neighbouring countries. It covers to the south: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia; to the east: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The objective of the ENP, revised in 2011 following the events in the Arab world, is to support partners that undertake reforms towards democracy, rule of law and human rights; to contribute to their inclusive economic development and to promote a partnership with societies alongside the relations with governments. The renewed ENP is strengthening co-operation in the political and security spheres, to support economic and social development, creation of growth and jobs, boosting trade and enhance cooperation in other sectors.
“The EU has a vital interest in building strong partnerships with its neighbours. Recent developments in the region have increased the challenges we all face: from economic pressures to irregular migration and security threats. We need a strong policy to be able to tackle these issues. We also need to understand better the different aspirations, values and interests of our partners. This is what the review is about if we are to have a robust political relationship between our neighbours and us,”said high eepresentative/vice-president FedericaMogherini.
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