Speech by Commissioner Hahn on the European Neighbourhood Policy Review in Barcelona
In the East, Russian pressure on Ukraine, Moldova and
in different ways on Georgia and Armenia, has impacted on our
neighbours' freedoms to choose their
course and on the EU’s ability to deliver on its regional objectives. The
situation in Ukraine, and the continuing unresolved frozen conflicts throughout
the region, makes our relationship with Russia more complex and more
challenging than ever.
The ENP review is an opportunity to consider how, in
the future, the EU can more effectively support the development of an area of
shared stability with our partners.
In my view it is also the moment to reassess our own
interests: our neighbours are indispensable partners
for a number of our most pressing current concerns: tackling extremism and
terrorism; ensuring energy security; facing up to the challenges of irregular
migration – and seizing the opportunities offered by well-managed mobility.
We know that not all partners have engaged in the
current ENP with equal enthusiasm. It is in our own interest to consider
how we should work with countries that do not, or do not currently, seek to
engage with the EU in the terms envisaged by the current ENP. AND how we should ensure that the ENP is a true partnership
actively pursued by both sides.
A far-reaching and necessary review
That is why President Juncker
asked me, in close co-operation with High Representative Mogherini,
to carry out a far-reaching review of this policy in the first twelve months of
our mandate.
A few weeks ago we launched a public consultation on
the basis of a document that poses over 70 questions. We want to hear from
governments and civil society organisations, from
business and academia– and that includes hearing your views and learning from
your experiences.
Yesterday the EU held a major consultation with
foreign ministers of our southern partners and it was good to see that they are
taking a very active interest in improving the design and implementation of the
ENP. We will meet Eastern partners in Riga on 21-22 May and we will come
forward with proposals in the course of the autumn.
Four key points
I think we can already say that we need to look at
four key points:
First: what can we do increase the scope for
differentiation in the way we work with our partners? We need to do more to recognise that our partners are very diverse. Not just
different east and south, but different within the east and within the south.
Some countries such as Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova
want closer integration with us, and we need to reflect on what further steps
are possible. In the south, democratic transition has advanced considerably in
Tunisia, and political and economic relations have been strengthened in
Morocco.
BUT Some other partners, East
and South, do not - or not at present - want closer association with us in the way
the Neighbourhood Policy has been presented so far.
In some cases they are under pressure from their other neighbours,
or are simply making other strategic choices. We must reflect honestly on how
to build partnerships under these circumstances; making a realistic assessment
of the EU’s interests and theirs. Our approach
needs to reflect each country's specific needs, priorities and aspirations and
the common interests they share with the EU, while always promoting universal
principles.
On top of this, we need to consider how to work with
the neighbours of our neighbours
– without giving them a veto over any partner's engagement with us in the ENP.
First steps in this direction have already been taken for example when
addressing jointly the consequences of the Syrian crisis.
The second key point is ownership. We will never get
the best from this policy while it is seen as something more or less imposed by
Europe, rather than a partnership actively chosen by the other side. We should
develop a real partnership of equals.
My third point is about focus: I want to get away from
the current model where we try to cover a very wide range of sectors with every
partner. For those that want, and who are able, we should pursue the
Association Agreements and DCFTAs. But, for those who can't, or do not want to
engage so deeply, let's narrow the focus to where the real interests lie and
build on more solid foundations. I'm thinking
of essential areas such as:
- economic development
- energy/connectivity
- migration and mobility
- security
- governance
- and youth
A word on security: until now the ENP has relied
almost exclusively on community instruments. This review offers the possibility
to bring ALL our instruments together, to attempt a much more coherent approach
to the key challenges in the region.
Lastly, we need to be more flexible: this means being
able to react to changing circumstances, and crises when they arise, including
with our financial instruments.
European Commission