52011SC0650

JOINT STAFF WORKING PAPER

A Medium Term Programme for a renewed European Neighbourhood Policy (2011-2014)

1. Medium term goals

In the course of the next four to five years partner countries taking decisive steps towards reforms can expect to conclude an Association Agreement (East) or enter in a “Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity” (South). This will be accompanied by enhanced mobility and people to people contacts (e.g. including through the possible establishment of mobility partnerships), economic integration through industrial cooperation, SME development, and increased trade relations with the EU (e.g. through the establishment of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas and the conclusions of other agreements, e.g. in agriculture, services and establishment or Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial products for priority sectors), deeper sector integration (e.g. through the integration in a pan-European energy market and the participation in EU programmes and agencies in accordance with the opening possibilities granted in each programmes and with the general guidelines regarding  the participation in EU Agencies). It will also be accompanied by appropriate financial resources and new tools.

2. A medium Term Programme

The Communication “A new response to a changing Neighbourhood” identifies the steps towards these goals and suggests a number of actions through which the EU can support partner countries reform efforts. This Medium Term programme maps out in more detail these actions, defines the expected timeline for their implementation and identifies the responsibility for their implementation within the EU institutions. In order to ensure results, assistance will also need to be focused on a limited number of agreed core priority sectors.

2.1. Actions to be implemented across the entire neighbourhood

Action || Responsibility || Timing[1] || Details

TO SUPPORT PROGRESS TOWARDS DEEP DEMOCRACY

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Supporting Deep Democracy || || ||

Better define the benchmarks “deep democracy” benchmarks against which the EU will assess progress of partner countries and adapt its level of support d in the communication. On that basis a consistent approach to differentiation will be devised. || EEAS || 2nd half 2011 ||

A Partnership with Societies || || ||

Enhanced Human Rights Dialogues || EEAS/Partners || Continuous - starting 2nd half 2011 || The dialogues will focus, inter alia, on: · The effective implementation of international and regional human rights and humanitarian law conventions. · The effective implementation of recommendations from international and regional human rights treaty monitoring bodies. · Effective implementation of commitments made by the partner countries themselves in the context of the UN Universal Periodic Review. · The lifting of reservations to UN human rights conventions. · The cooperation with UN special human rights mechanisms. · The establishment of, and the monitoring of progress towards, concrete benchmarks in particular in the following areas: freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, independent monitoring and observation of elections, women’s rights, fight against torture and death penalty (moratorium and steps towards formal abolition.

Monitoring gender equality in the context of Human Rights dialogues and the relevant sub-committees and promote exchange of experiences  || EEAS / DG JUST / Partners || Continuous - starting 2nd half 2011 ||

Enhance the institutionalised mechanism of regular and systematic dialogue with Civil Society organisations and social partners at country level || EEAS/ EU Delegations / DG DEVCO || Starting 2nd half 2011 ||

Systematically involve Civil Society Organisations and social partners in the policy dialogue and promoting reforms at national level. || EU Delegations / DG DEVCO / DG EMPL || Starting 2nd half 2011 ||

Promote social dialogue and social partners' capacity, including through the Euro-Med Social Dialogue Forum || DG EMPL || Starting 2nd half 2011 ||

Civil Society Facility || DG DEVCO/ EEAS / || 2nd half 2011 || The Facility will be articulated in three components: 1. Increase involvement of CSOs in sector policy dialogues between the EU and partner countries and in the implementation of bilateral programmes in relevant fields Description: In order for CSOs to become stronger partners in the implementation of ENP objectives they need strengthened capacities and information to identify entry points and contribute to bilateral and regional cooperation. A collective reflection is required on how to associate CSOs in formulation and implementation of sector reforms and new aid modalities such as budget support. 2. Strengthening CSOs through support to regional or country projects Description: CSOs in the ENP region need reinforced direct access to funding to support projects relevant in the context of the ENP (e.g. monitoring implementation or accompanying ENP Action Plans priorities and regional political agendas). A specific regional call could be identified as a flagship activity, supporting region wide issues. 3. Increased support for stand-alone country-based bilateral projects and programmes targeting the strengthening of civil society and the capacity of civil society actors Description: Encouraging partner governments to reinforce CSO capacities and their involvement in domestic policy and decision-making processes.

European Endowment for Democracy || EEAS / DG DEVCO || 2nd half 2011 ||

To establish a process of regional convergence towards the regulatory framework for electronic communications and for an audiovisual and media regulatory framework that guarantees freedom of information and the respect of human rights, favours social participation and ultimately allows the exchange of broadcasts and programmes both within the region and the broader area of the Neighbourhood. || DG INFSO / EEAS || 2nd half of 2011 || Dedicated EU-Southern Neighbourhood partners committee as well as ad hoc conferences should be established to complement and to provide the regional/neighbourhood perspective to activities currently engaged at the level of the Joint Action Plans.

Communication and public diplomacy strategy || EEAS/DG DEVCO || Earliest 2nd half 2012 || The public diplomacy strategy will include: · Support for media freedom and access to information; · Support for press and TV media for the treatment of subjects (press reports, TV programmes) related to principles and achievements of the ENP; · Support for media co-operation between EU and Partner countries resulting in joint journalistic work; · Support for the development of online and multilingual information illustrating ENP with special focus on youth audiences; · Support for the organisation of public events related to ENP programmes and projects (such as public conferences, travelling exhibitions or festivals).

Intensifying political and security co-operation || || ||

Integrate more systematically confidence building measures in cooperation programmes and ensure coherence between the Instrument for Stability (IfS), the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and CFSP/ESDP instruments || EEAS / DG DEVCO || Continuous - Starting in 2012 ||

Enhance support for confidence building measures || EEAS/DG DEVCO || Starting 2012 ||

TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

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Sustainable economic growth and job creation || || ||

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European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development - ENPARD. || EEAS/DEVCO/DG AGRI || Starting 2nd half of 2011 || The programme would build upon best practice experienced in developing rural areas, in particular in enlargement countries. A combined approach of investment support and building up of administrative capacities through technical assistance would permit the modernisation of the agricultural production aligned to EU quality and food safety standards, hence preparing thus countries to operate more effectively in the EU single market and create new opportunities at local level.

The EU will strengthen its regular bilateral economic dialogues with partner countries as to monitor and discuss macroeconomic and financial issues of common interest || DG ECFIN/ EEAS/ Eurostat/DG TRADE/ Partners || Starting 2nd half 2011 ||

Enhanced dialogue on employment and social policies || DG EMPL || Staring from 2nd half 2011 || This activity will build on and further develop Euro-Med dialogue on employment and social policy, cooperation within the Eastern Partnership, which will be complemented by bilateral activities as appropriate.

Share industrial and enterprise policies, programmes and good practice across sectors and in some priority sectors (textiles, tourism, space, SMEs, raw materials) spur entrepreneurship, improve the business environment, help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to grow, create jobs and export || DG ENTR/DG DEVCO || Staring second half 2011 || A support can be provided through a policy dialogue under the Euro Med Industrial Cooperation and the Eastern Partnership.

Discuss with EIB and other stakeholders the possible role for the European Investment Fund to the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood || DG ECFIN / EEAS || 2012 ||

Explore options to provide legal security to investors and traders in neighbouring countries through an enhanced investment protection scheme. || DG TRADE/EEAS/DG ECFIN || 2012 ||

Encourage local development around FDIs to maximise benefits for host areas and examine measures including guarantees to promote direct investment from EU SMEs. || DG DEVCO / DG ECFIN/  ENTR || 1st half 2012 ||

Support the organisation of investors' conferences in countries already engaged in the transition process, and in support of the national programmes developed by the government. || DG ENTR / DG DEVCO / EEAS || Starting from 2nd half 2011 ||

Proposal for a framework Regulation on Macro Financial Assistance || DG ECFIN || 2nd  half 2011 || With the Framework Regulation the Commission intends to create a formal legal instrument for MFA that would speed up the decision-making for individual MFA operations so that the instrument can better help beneficiary countries withstand short-term external financial pressures, while supporting them in adopting adjustment measures designed to restore a sustainable balance-of-payments position. It would also make the decision-making process comparable to that of other external instruments.

Strengthening trade ties || || ||

Establish a realistic and transparent set of benchmarks for each of the Internal Market areas and for the relevant horizontal areas in order to support progressive economic integration with the Internal Market || EEAS with DG MARKT, DG TRADE and other relevant COM services depending on the sector ||  2012 || This could be done in the new generation Action Plans

Conclude bilateral DCFTAs based on progressive regulatory convergence towards the EU acquis in selected sectors or areas of mutual interest and building on their participation in a wider system of diagonal cumulation of origin || DG TRADE/EEAS/ Partner countries || Continuous ||

Establish a process for allowing partners that have concluded DCFTAs and have a fully functioning independent judiciary and an efficient public administration and have made significant progress towards eradicating corruption into “the non-regulated area” of the Internal Market for goods.    || DG ENTR/ DG MARKT/ DG TRADE/EEAS || 2013 ||

Strengthening sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary standards as a key element to develop agriculture and food industries notably by participation to trainings of the Better Training for Safer Food programme || DG SANCO/ EEAS/ Partners || Ongoing ||

Enhance the technical support given to our partners in order to speed the preparation of Agreements for Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA). || DG ENTR || Ongoing ||

Widen the scope for exchange of public expertise including through TAIEX || DG DEVCO/EEAS/DG ELARG || 2012 || TAIEX will remain the predominant instrument to channel additional financing for exchange of short-term expertise and support progressive economic integration in the EU Internal Market. The Commission will also seek to promote and provide additional financing for the secondment of officials to the EU institutions and Member States, financing participation of partner country officials to EU events, as well as for short term training.

Enhancing Sector Co-operation || || ||

Work towards the development of a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space linked to smart growth and the EU Innovation Agenda, so as to strengthen the policy dialogue, national and regional capacity building and cooperation in research and innovation. || DG RTD / EEAS / DEVCO / DG HOME || Continuous. Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Step up cooperation with partner countries in the field of information and communication technology to support the development of a digital economy || DG INFSO / EEAS || Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Assist partner countries in fulfilling the legislative prerequisites for participation in the work of EU agencies on the basis of existing guidelines for such participation. || DG DEVCO || Continuous ||

Provide support to potential beneficiaries of EU programmes || DG DEVCO || Starting in 2nd half of 2012 ||  Inform potential beneficiaries of the opportunities provided by EU programmes and assist them in preparing good proposals.

Provide co-financing for participation to selected EU programmes of countries having concluded a framework agreement || DG DEVCO / EEAS/ other relevant COM services ||  Starting in 2nd half 2012 || EU Programmes in which the participation of partner countries could be co-financed · Customs 2013, · Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP[2]) - Entrepreneurship and Innovation; · SESAR - Joint Undertaking; · Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) - Intelligent Energy-Europe, · Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) - ICT Policy Support; · Public Health. · The 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development (the Republic of Moldova only) In addition partner countries that have made more progress on regulatory convergence in the area of covering food and feed law, animal health and welfare and plant health rules can be admitted to training events currently being offered to EU member states only.

Promotion of enhanced action on climate change addressing low-carbon development including access to renewable energy and enhanced resilience to climate impacts (adaptation); action to assist in implementing the Cancun agreement and further future steps towards a comprehensive global climate regime.  || DG CLIMA / EEAS/  DG DEVCO || Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Increased policy dialogue aimed at gradual convergence with key elements of the environmental acquis and accession to multilateral environmental agreements that are transposed into EU acquis || DG ENV / EEAS/ /DG DEVCO || Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Gradual establishment of an integrated energy market based on converging regulatory frameworks, including safety and environmental standards, the development of new partnerships on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, and nuclear safety || DG ENER / EEAS   || Continued ||

Commission Communication “The EU energy policy: engaging with partners beyond our borders” will include further proposals on energy cooperation with partner countries || DG ENER (lead) in co-operation with EEAS and DG DEVCO || 2nd t half of 2011 ||

Communication on transport relations with the EU’s neighbouring countries;  || DG MOVE / EEAS || 2nd t half of 2011 || The Communication will  focus at closer market integration in the transport sector and better infrastructure connections, while addressing administrative bottlenecks with a focus on safety and security issues, and enhancing cooperation with various EU transport agencies

Elaborate a more strategic approach and cooperation on maritime affairs , aiming at enhancing cooperation across maritime sectors and allowing for sustainable economic development. || DG MARE || 2012 ||

Establish two regional consultative committees with eastern and southern neighbours respectively in the area of Agriculture and Rural Development to regularly review the harmonisation process and exchange best practices in key areas || DG AGRI/EEAS || 2012 ||

Initiate policy dialogues on regional policy and social cohesion in furtherance of EU policy objectives with interested partners as appropriate || DG REGIO / DG EMPL || 2012 ||

Promotion and implementation of the use of European and internationally recognised standards and methodology for the production of statistics, necessary for developing and monitoring of policy achievements in all policy areas. || ESTAT || Starting 2012 ||

Expand sector co-operation in specific areas || Relevant DGs || Starting in 2012 || Areas where sector co-operation with partner countries could be further expanded · Sustainable fisheries management and fisheries control. ·  Strengthening the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the public financial management system including audit, control and anti-fraud bodies and measures. · Space (Common technological Platform, Space Agency). · Sport.

Enhance further cooperation in the field of civil protection and disaster risk reduction through a continuation of the existing Programmes for the Prevention Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters - PPRD South (ENPI South) and PPRD East (ENPI East). || DG DEVCO/ DG ECHO || From 2012 onwards ||

Migration and mobility || || ||

Pursue the process of visa facilitation for selected ENP partners and visa liberalisation for those most advanced || DG HOME/EEAS || ongoing ||

Develop existing Mobility Partnerships and establish new ones || DG HOME/EEAS || From 2nd half 2011 || See also proposal to initiate the process leading to mobility partnerships with specific southern neighbours under 2.3 below

Capacity building measures implemented in partnership with the partner countries through the EU agency on border security (Frontex), the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and EUROPOL in the areas of border management, asylum and law enforcement co-operation || DG DEVCO /DG HOME / FRONTEX / EASO / EUROPOL /EEAS || Starting in 2012 ||

Develop the Regional Protection Programme designated in April 2010 covering Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. || DG HOME / DG DEVCO || 2nd half 2011 ||

Measures leading to facilitating the issuing   of visas to students, researchers and businessmen  || DG HOME/EU Member States || Starting 1st half of 2011 || Measures leading to the issuing  of visas to students, researchers and businessmen     based, inter alia, on the facilitations offered by the EU Visa Code, may include: · Improved information to the public on the procedures and conditions for applying for a visa · Consider waiving visa fees and to issuing multi-entry visa to the certain categories of visa applicants. · EU funded training for member states consular staff at EU level to enhance knowledge of the legal framework and promote a harmonised application of the Visa Code and the practical instructions on the implementation of the Code ·  enhanced representation arrangements between member states · Common Applications Centres to improve consular coverage

SIMPLIFIED AND COHERENT POLICY AND PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK

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 Clearer priorities through stronger political steering || || ||

Intensification of contacts between Commissioners and line Ministers || COM/Partners || Continuous- starting 2nd half 2011 ||

Proposals to intensify the political dialogue || COM/EEAS || By the end of 2011 || High level sectoral policy dialogue to be under the lead of relevant Commission services

New generation of Action plans including more precise benchmarks and a clearer sequencing of actions || EEAS/COM/Partners || Continuous as old AP expires ||

Agree on a list of short term priorities with key reform steps and EU responses || EEAS/COM/Partners || Yearly ||

Increasingly forthright regular reports on Action Plans implementation || EEAS / EU Delegations / COM || Continuous ||

Funding || || ||

Implement the decision to allocate additional financial resources to the ENP || BUDG/EEAS/ DEVCO || || Submitting concurring budget proposals to the Budget Authority: · transfers for 2011; ·  Amending Letter for 2012; · Re-programming for 2013.

Adopt the Commission proposal to amend Article 23 of the ENPI regulation. This will make available additional resources (approximately EUR 225 million in the period 2011-13) to finance SMEs under the Facility for Euro Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) || Council || Ongoing ||

Reallocation of the resources stemming from the cancelled Governance Facility to finance the new initiatives stemming from the ENP review || EEAS/DEVCO || 2nd half 2011 || The Governance Facility was established in 2007 as a mechanism to draw the partners’ attention on the importance of Democratic Governance and encourage their efforts to comply with higher standards through an extra allocation to the best performers in terms of governance. Since then, the ENPI allocation system was revised to better reflect governance performance overtime and the country allocations for 2011-13 reflect more closely the progress in governance and reform. In addition the review has highlighted that the financial incentives provided in this form have not been a driver of change. Discontinuing the facility provides the possibility to reallocate funding in support of proposals emerging from the review most of which have a direct impact on political and economic governance.

Involving the EIB and the EBRD || || ||

Work towards the extension of the latter’s mandate to selected Southern partners || DG ECFIN || 2nd half 2011 ||

Planning for 2013 and beyond || || ||

Proposal for a new European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) 2014-20: 1) with adequate resources; 2) providing for increased differentiation, stricter conditionality and incentives for best performers and 3) including specific components modelled on the EU Cohesion and Rural development policies || EEAS/COM || 2nd half 2011 || The new ENI should be increasingly policy-driven, focused on jointly agreed priorities in view of economic, social and sectoral integration and enhanced political cooperation, and provide incentives for best performers. To adequately support the new ENP vision and ensure full coherence between the policy and the financial assistance the new instrument should have the following characteristics: · Appropriate financial support should be made available for co-operation with partner countries under the new Multi-annual Financial Framework. · The objectives and scope of the future neighbourhood instrument should reflect the renewed policy vision and drive promotion of economic integration through DCFTAs and regional integration agreements. · In line with increased performance-based differentiation, future funding should reflect readiness to move forward with reforms-related commitments taken in the context of DCFTAs or mobility negotiations. · Drawing funding from internal and external headings of the EU budget should be used more systematically, in particular for infrastructure interconnections. · Where appropriate the Commission should bring implementation closer to the beneficiaries by gradually moving towards a more generalised use of country systems.  · Ensure the protection of financial interests of the EU and the partner countries · Cross Border co-operation should be strengthened and simplified. Consideration should also be given to strengthen joint monitoring with the view of reallocating funds from non-performing to performing projects.

Simplify the programming process || EEAS / DG DEVCO || 2012 || For those countries with whom a “new generation” action plan (or equivalent document) has been agreed a Single Support Framework will be proposed. The SSF will focus on identifying those Action Plan priorities that require EU assistance and earmark financial support to them. The SSF will be gradually introduced and have the same duration of the Action Plan.

Work towards launching pilot joint programming exercises with interested Member States. || EEAS/DG DEVCO || 2012 ||

Communication on budget support including proposals for incorporating increased attention for shared values into budget support arrangements || DG DEVCO || 2nd half of 2011 ||

2.2. Strengthening the Eastern partnership

Action || Responsibility || Timing || Details

Intensify engagement with non-governmental stakeholders, including parliaments (using the European Parliament-established EURONEST), regional actors in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee business and civil society (using the EaP Civil Society Forum and its national platforms); || EEAS/COM || Continuous, starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Promote visibility of EaP bilateral and multilateral activities, including flagship initiatives. || EEAS / DG DEVCO/ DG TRADE || Continuous, starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Promote new initiatives in the area of Culture following the successful implementation of the Special Action 2009 and 2010 of Culture Programme and the Eastern Partnership Culture programme; || EEAS / DG EAC / DG DEVCO || 2012/2013 ||

Further expand structured cooperation for non-formal education and capacity building for young people, youth workers and youth organisations  (Youth in Action) || EEAS / DG EAC / DG DEVCO || From 2nd half of 2011 ||

Exploring the possibility to extend the Convention of Pan Euro-Mediterranean Trade Preference to the EU Eastern Neighbours || DG TRADE/DG ENTR || 2012 ||

Establish a cooperation framework for transport policy and infrastructure planning under the Eastern Partnership initiative || DG MOVE / EEAS || 2nd t half of 2011 ||

Increased participation of partners in Erasmus Mundus, Tempus and partial extension of eTwinning. || DG EAC/DG DEVCO/EEAS || From 2nd half of 2011 ||

Establish a Business Forum and organise in co-operation with Business Europe, business roundtable in selected partner countries || DG ENTR / EEAS/DG TRADE || From 2nd half of 2011 || To be based on the experiences from previous initiatives, e.g. the Trade Panel work on the involvement of business organisations in the EaP, and its cooperation with Business Europe and Eurochambres.

Further intensification of cooperation in the areas of energy, environment, climate:, following among others the accession to the European Energy Community by Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova; || DG ENV / DG CLIMA /DG ENER || Continuous, Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Maintain the full integration of the research and education communities in the region within the e-infrastructure (e.g. GEANT for networking, EGI for grids and distributed computing). || DG INFSO || Continuous ||

Build on existing Regional policy dialogues already launched with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, to exapnd activities responding to interests of the countries concerned within the scope of limited resources || DG REGIO || Starting from second half 2011 ||

Develop policy dialogue on employment and social policies || DG EMPL || 2012 ||

Explore possibilities for further development of cooperation in the areas of Justice, Freedom and Security for partners both in the East and the South (for the East on the basis of the JHA Eastern Partnership Action Plan foreseen by the Stockholm Programme); || DG HOME/ DG JUST/ EEAS / DEVCO || 2nd half of 2011 ||

Intensify the fight against smuggling along the Eastern Border on the basis of an Anti-Smuggling Action Plan; || OLAF/DG TAXUD || 1st half of 2011 || To address effectively the problem of smuggling of alcohol and tobacco  into the EU, a number of short, medium and long term actions have been identified to be carried out with the help of Member States and neighbouring third countries along the EU Eastern Border.

Step up customs cooperation with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Belarus; || DG TAXUD || 2nd half of 2011 || To recast customs cooperation with the Eastern partners planned under Strategic Frameworks by developing safe and fluid trade lanes; promoting risk management and fight against fraud and investing in customs modernisation.

Explore possibilities for cooperation on the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). || EEAS || 2nd half of 2011 ||

Roadmap for the future implementation of the EaP. || EEAS / Relevant DGs || 1st half of 2011 ||

2.3. Building the Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity in the Southern Mediterranean

Action || Responsibility || Timing || Details

Democratic transformation || || ||

Invite partner countries to step up their co-operation with the Council of Europe by pursuing a “Partner for Democracy” status in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and take steps towards accession to a number of governance related conventions || EEAS / DG HOME || Continuous  Starting 1st half of 2011 || List of the Council of Europe Conventions to which EU Southern Neighbours are encouraged to accede: · Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (CETS 198); · Convention on Cybercrime (ETS 185); · Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS 197); · Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS 201). · Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (ETS.173); · Civil Law Convention on Corruption (ETS. 174); · Additional Protocol to the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (ETS 191); · Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS 196); · European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (ETS 30); · Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (CETS.182); · European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CETS 126); · European Convention on Extradition (ETS 24).

Establish a suitable mechanism to support partner countries increased co-operation with the Council of Europe. || DG DEVCO/ EEAS || 2nd half of 2011 ||

Comprehensive institution building programmes for democratic reforms based on the rule of law to assist partner countries in building governance and modernising their administrations and societies in the reform of their security sector || EEAS/DG DEVCO || 2012 || Comprehensive institution building programme will draw on EU experience in democratic transition and build on existing experiences in the Neighbourhood.

Partnership with people || || ||

Commission communication on a comprehensive approach to migration between the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood region and the European Union || DG HOME || 1st half of 2011 || This Communication will suggest a plan for the management of migration and refugee flows in cooperation with South Mediterranean countries. The Communication will propose a model of Mobility Partnership and propose countries with which such Partnerships could be developed. The conclusion of such Partnerships should be preceded by a Senior Officials ' dialogue aimed at preparing them. The selection of the countries with which the Senior Officials dialogue should be initiated will be made by the European Council of 24 June 2011, on the basis of the suggestions made by the Commission's Communication of 24 May and of the Conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 9-10 June.

Senior Officials dialogue on migration, mobility and security with selected South Mediterranean countries proposed for the preparation of a Mobility Partnership.  || DG HOME/ EEAS/ || Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Negotiations and implementation of Mobility Partnerships with selected South Mediterranean countries (i.e. Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia) || DG HOME / EEAS / EMPL || Starting end of 2nd half of 2011/ beginning of 2012 || Mobility Partnerships, cover initiatives such as visa and legal migration arrangements; capacity building on legal frameworks for (economic) migration; support to manage remittances for improved development outcomes, more efficient matching of labour demands and needs, including through networks of employment agencies; return and reintegration programmes; upgrading of the asylum systems to EU standards etc. In return for increased mobility, partners must be ready to strengthen border management, fight against irregular migration and trafficking in human beings accept the return and reintegration of irregular migrants (return arrangements and readmission agreements) and effectively fight trans-border organised crime and corruption. The assistance of the European Training Foundation may be sought to help a more efficient matching of skills and labour demand.

Development of a more integrated approach to employment, skills and mobility and policy cooperation starting with exchange of good practice in promoting youth employment and exchange of expertise among Public Employment Services. || DG EMPL || Starting 2nd half 2011 / 1st half  2012 ||

Allocate funding and implement co-operation projects to support preparations for and implementation of the Mobility Partnerships. || EEAS/DG DEVCO || 2nd half of 2011 ||

Explore the possibility to launch cooperation with interested partners and relevant International Organisation (e.g.: UNWTO, UNESCO, Council of Europe) on joint trans-national cultural tourism projects. || DG ENTR / EEA / partners / International Organisations || 2012 ||

Further expand student and academic staff mobility within university partnerships (Erasmus Mundus) and structured cooperation for university modernisation (Tempus) and of Young people (Youth in Action) and extend parts of the e-Twinning action. || DG EAC/DG DEVCO/EEAS || 2nd half of 2012 ||

Sustainable and inclusive economic development || || ||

Conclude on-going bilateral negotiations on trade in services and establishment and bilateral negotiations or agreements with Southern Mediterranean Countries on agricultural , processed agricultural, fish and fishery products || DG AGRI/DG TRADE/DG ENTR/EEAS/Partners || Ongoing || Negotiations on the liberalisation of trade in services and establishment are on-going with Egypt, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia, and will soon be launched with Jordan. The Agricultural Trade Agreement with Morocco is pending EP consent. The Agricultural Trade Agreement with the Palestinian Authority was signed on 13 April and will be sent to the EP for consent. Negotiations on an Agricultural Trade Agreement with Tunisia could resume as soon as Tunisian authorities signal readiness. No other negotiations are on-going with other Southern Mediterranean partners

Negotiate Agreements for Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial products (ACAA) providing free movement of industrial products in specific sectors through mutual acceptance of conformity certificates. || DG TRADE/ EEAS/ ENTR/ Partners || Ongoing || Preparations for ACAA negotiations have been on-going for several years with all ENP Southern neighbours. These look at both legislative and infrastructure aspects in priority sectors selected by the partner country. A first ACAA was signed with Israel in 2010, and discussions are ongoing with other Southern Mediterranean countries, aiming at launching negotiations as soon as possible. In the light of preparations already carried out Egypt and Tunisia, negotiations with these countries could be launched in the second half of 2011.

Make progress in the review of pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin within the framework of the single regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin || DG TAXUD || ongoing || Preparatory work is on-going. Discussions on the 'list rules', which is the priority for Mediterranean countries, based on the EU position in the framework of the pan-Euro-Med working group on rules of origin, will start in the autumn 2011.

Implementation of the working priorities agreed by Union for the Mediterranean Trade Ministers in November 2010 and in particular the Establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Trade and Investment Facilitation mechanism || DG TRADE/DEVCO || Starting in May 2011 || The Euro-Mediterranean Trade and Investment Facilitation mechanism will be an information tool on trade and investment conditions in the region. This project should encourage regional integration and enhance transparency for economic operators. A first meeting in May will serve to launch the setting up of a network of focal points and to start discussing draft terms of reference of the technical assistance project.

Start preparations for future DCFTA negotiations with southern neighbours engaged in a process of democratic transformation and committed towards economic reforms and opening. This includes, at this stage, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan. On the basis of the progress made in the scoping process, the Commission would present proposals for negotiating directives to open negotiations. || DG TRADE/ EEAS/ Partners || Starting 2ndhalf of 2011 || Our shared medium to long term objective with Southern Mediterranean partners will be the establishment of deep and comprehensive free trade areas, building on the current Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements and on the European Neighbourhood policy Action Plans and tailored-made to the actual situation and needs of Southern Mediterranean partners. Before engaging in negotiations, significant preparatory work will be needed with Southern Mediterranean partners in order to identify jointly our interests and needs in these future negotiations. If the political situation allows, preparations for these agreements with some of our neighbours could be launched during 2011. Capacity building on all areas covered by these negotiations will be necessary prior, during and after the negotiations

Launch dialogue between the EU and the neighbouring countries concerning policies, initiatives and best practices on sustainable tourism. || ENTR / DEVCO || Starting in 2012 || The feasibility of extending some of the EU initiatives, knowledge networks and platforms to MED countries will be examined. This is expected to spread knowledge and best practices on sustainable and cultural tourism that would benefit decision-makers on both sides of the Mediterranean and to facilitate business to business contacts, tourism SMEs' internationalisation and cooperation.

Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean industrial cooperation by continuing implementing the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise, promoting investment, innovation, technology transfer, sustainable enterprise development and encouraging co-operation in sectors of particular relevance to Mediterranean neighbour countries, e.g. textiles, processed agricultural products, extraction of raw materials and space  || DG ENTR / DG DEVCO || 2011-2012 || Proposed activities for 2011-2012 Horizontal activities: Sharing information, knowledge, tools and good practice at the regional level; improving the business environment to spur entrepreneurship, help EU and Mediterranean SMEs to grow, export and compete in the global economy; seminars on topics such as administrative simplification, entrepreneurial learning, access to finance, innovation, public-private dialogue, skills development and the SBA;. a new evaluation of progress in implementing the Charter; a  survey on sustainable enterprise development in MED countries; draft amendments to the Charter; opening of  EU networks and activities relating to innovation ; a Euro-Mediterranean repository of digital trades. Sector-specific activities Textiles: Sharing best-practices and in-depth discussions among key stakeholders on challenges facing the textile and clothing sector and on possible future directions and concrete actions to innovate the sector and to enhance its industrial competitiveness within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue on the future of the textile industry Raw materials: in 2011-2012, information will be exchanged on developments regarding raw materials which are of particular importance for countries in the region Space: A new EuroMed Transport technical assistance contract for € 2.1M supporting the countries with the introduction of EGNOS related services in the Mediterranean region is about to start. A new EuroMed Transport contract will be signed with ESA (European Space Agency) for € 1.6M to speed up the setting up of the RIMS in the Mediterranean region and with Eurocontrol for € 800k to create a roadmap for use of EGNOS in civil aviation. A new financing decision to extend the coverage of EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) to Eastern Europe, in particular the complete Ukrainian territory

Promote Euro-Med employment and social policy dialogue, including through Euro-Med Social Dialogue Forum || DG EMPL || Starting 2nd half 2011 || To be launched by Euro-Med Employment High Level Employment Group and Euro-Med Social Dialogue Forum in 2nd semester 2011

Pilot programmes inspired by the EU cohesion policy to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion (drawing inter alia on the pilot regional development projects launched under the Eastern Partnership) || EEAS/DEVCO/DG REGIO/ DG EMPL || Starting 2nd half of 2011 ||

Support the extension of EBRD mandate to Egypt and other southern neighbours. || DG ECFIN || Ongoing ||

Explore the possibilities for joint programming with interested member states in countries undergoing democratic transition. || EEAS || Starting 1st half of 2011 ||

Regional Co-operation || || ||

Communication to promote sub-regional co-operation in the Maghreb || EEAS/COM || First half of 2012 ||

Enhance support for the Agadir Agreement, || DG TRADE/DEVCO || || If so requested, the Commission will enhance its support for the Agadir Agreement, which represents the most appropriate instrument at this stage to foster economic integration and trade and investment flows amongst Southern Mediterranean countries, through technical support to the extension of the Agadir Agreement both geographically and in terms of scope (e.g. in areas such as services and investment or regulatory areas) and through the continuation of the support to the Agadir Technical Unit.

Implementation of a Mediterranean Maritime Strategy to enhance maritime safety, security and surveillance || MARE /  MOVE || ongoing ||

Annex

Summary of the main elements raised by Member States and Partner Countries during the ENP review consultations

This is a summary of the main elements brought up during consultations and discussions held by the Commission so far in the context of the ENP strategic review exercise (as of 22 November 2010. Consultations have involved EU member states, ENP partner countries as well as civil society organisations and academics from throughout the region. The summary below may not be fully comprehensive and does not present the views or perceptions of the Commission or of the European Union.

Long-term vision

Overall, there has been a strong affirmation of the vision, along the lines of Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty, of a space involving the EU and its neighbours where political co-operation is as close as possible and economic integration is as deep as possible, supported by high-level political dialogue, legislative approximation and regulatory convergence. Clearly, the level of ambition each of the partners and the EU want to set for their relations will determine how far and how quickly we will move toward this vision.

When it comes to economic integration, the long-term goal that has been highlighted by most ENP partners is full integration in the EU internal market once a sufficient degree of approximation with the EU acquis has been reached by partner countries and the related administrative capacity fully developed. But this goal also raises some issues. On the EU side there are legitimate concerns that the extension of freedom of movement in particular should not lead to lessened security within the EU itself. Partner countries also point out that the reforms linked to legislative approximation and the establishment of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas involve costs that have to be borne well before their benefits can be reaped and for which support will be needed.

The key to address such issues may lie in a gradual approach based on a clearer and more rigorous differentiation, including in the support made available by the EU to partners that undertake with determination the necessary reforms.

Medium-term

Working towards this vision means focussing our medium-term efforts on a number of key issues.

First there is a request from partner countries for more concerted political steering in our relations. We need to reflect within the EU on the best manner to address this request without increasing the number of formal meetings. An enhanced, continuous and substantial dialogue not only among Foreign Ministers but also Ministers in other sectors of close co-operation can help us address misunderstandings and resolve difficult issues in a spirit of confidence and partnership.

Second, we should intensify our joint efforts on democratic standards, the rule of law and human rights, which are central to building a strong long-term relationship and a necessary first step towards a higher degree of integration in the EU market. There is clear scope for more work on strengthening the judiciary and its independence, on making public administration more responsive to citizens’ needs and on curbing corruption. We also need to strengthen the role of civil society in policy development and policy monitoring.

Third, we should seize the opportunity provided by the negotiations on Association Agreements (AAs) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTAs) to encourage economic reforms that will promote investments. Deeper co-operation in co-ordinating our macro-economic policies has also been highlighted as a way to draw the lessons from the recent financial and economic crisis and is consistent with the external dimension of the EU’s own 2020 strategy.

Fourth, we need to take a fresh look at how we can promote mobility in spite of the political difficulties surrounding this issue. We need to give answers in the shorter term to students, researchers and businessmen whose mobility is essential to advance our co-operation. We should look more closely at the opportunities that the EU Visa Code offers in this respect. It has also been suggested that we could seek to develop a broader, win-win, approach to mobility and migration where security concerns can also be addressed.

Fifth, we need to look at what the EU can do to help advance protracted conflicts towards a resolution. Partners are asking the EU to be more active and to allocate more resources to confidence building. They expect that, with the Lisbon Treaty, the EU will be able to deploy all its instruments in a more coherent way.

Sixth, we need to see how we can deepen sectoral co-operation on policies that flank the Internal Market, particularly (but not only) in energy, transport, environment, climate change, education, industrial co-operation and technology transfer. The participation of partners in a number of EU programmes would be beneficial in this context.

Policy and financial instruments

To advance on these objectives we need to upgrade our policy and financial instruments.

There is a unanimous perception that ENP Action Plans have proven their worth as a central policy implementation tool. There is also a strong demand for successor documents to better steer our joint efforts and facilitate a more effective use of resources from the national and EU budgets. This involves more focus, clearer sequencing and more measurable benchmarks.

Several proposals have also been made to seek a greater involvement of partners in policy-shaping. This may be an important pre-requisite to success in the long run.

The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) is seen as a step change in the way EU assistance is delivered, but there is clear room for further improvement and partner countries have asked the EU to look more closely at its pre-accession assistance for inspiration. Work on the successor of the ENPI could offer an opportunity to strengthen the link with the jointly agreed reform priorities of the ENP and to make financial support faster, more efficient and more flexible in responding to emerging needs. All partners have also underlined the need to accompany economic integration, market opening and regulatory convergence with appropriate financial support.

Finally, while there is broad support for the multilateral initiatives that flank our bilateral relations, there are also suggestions that the scope and decision-making procedures of some of these may need to be revisited.

[1] The timing referred in this table provides an approximate indication on when the implementation of the various actions will start. Depending on the action, to start may mean a negotiation session,  a meeting,  a seminar or an internal paper leading to a proposal or mapping a process,

[2] The CIP will come to an end in 2013 and  participation in the Programme  is subject to some conditions