2014 European Neighbourhood Reports
25 March 2015by eub2 -- last modified 25 March 2015
In a set of annual reports, the European Commission assessed the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with the 16 partner countries in the East and the South and made recommendations for the year ahead.
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Once a year, the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy publish reports assessing the progress made towards the objectives of the Action Plans and the Association Agendas. The reports about the implementation of the ENP in 2014 were adopted on 25 March 2015.
2014 saw the signing of association agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, democratic transition in Tunisia and strengthened relations with Morocco.
Nevertheless, conflicts and crises, involving security and humanitarian problems, persisted in both the east and south, especially in the form of terrorist threats and attacks. Significant support was mobilised by the EU to help Lebanon and Jordan cope with the increasing effects of the Syria crisis.
Background on ENP:
Article 8(1) of the Treaty on European Union states that 'the Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation'.
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 who 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 cooperation 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 new European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), with a budget of €15.4 billion for the period 2014-2020, provides the bulk of funding to the 16 ENP partner countries. The incentive-based approach provides for flexibility in modulating financial assistance on the basis of progress of individual countries towards democracy and respect of human rights.
