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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on European neighbourhood policy

(2006/C 309/20)

In a letter of 22 April 2005 from Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, the Commission formally consulted the European Economic and Social Committee under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community on the European Neighbourhood Policy.

The Section for External Relations, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 4 May 2006. The rapporteur was Ms Cassina.

At its 428th plenary session, held on 5-6 July 2006 (meeting of 5 July 2006) the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 160 votes to two with nine abstentions.

Preamble

The EESC has already produced two partial assessments of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP): one deals with central and eastern European and the other with Mediterranean countries (1). This opinion will therefore only touch briefly on certain aspects of these two documents; nevertheless, they will be submitted, together with this opinion, to the relevant EU and state authorities for information purposes.

0.   Summary and conclusions

1.   Introduction

2.   The initial phase of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

3.   The concept of ‘neighbourhood’ and general issues

4.   Problems facing the various areas

5.   Methodological and financial instruments

6.   The contribution of civil society to the ENP

Brussels, 5 July 2006.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

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(1)  The first is on Wider Europe — Neighbourhood: A new framework for relations with our eastern and southern neighbours (Opinion, rapporteur: Ms Alleweldt (OJ C 80 of 30/3/2004 p. 148 — 0155); the second is on The role of consultative bodies and socio-occupational organisations in implementing the Association Agreements and in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy (providing a thematic contribution to the Euro-Mediterranean socio-occupational summit to be held in Jordan on 16 and 17 November 2005 (rapporteur: Ms Cassina), drawn up in cooperation with the consultative bodies in Greece, Israel and Tunisia and Moroccan socio-professional representatives).

(2)  Denmark, the United Kingdom and Ireland joined the EU in 1973; Greece in 1981; Spain and Portugal in 1986; and Austria, Sweden and Finland in 1995.

(3)  COM(2003) 104 final — Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Wider Europe — Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours — Brussels, 11.3.2003.

COM(2004) 373 final — Communication from the Commission: European Neighbourhood Policy — strategy paper — Brussels, 12.5.2004.

COM(2004) 628 final — Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument — Brussels, 29.9.2004.

(4)  The fact that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia (which are not adjacent to the EU) have asked to be involved in the ENP is a practical demonstration of this statement.

(5)  COM(2005) 72 final, Communication from the Commission to the Council: European Neighbourhood Policy, recommendations for Armenia, Azerbaidjan and Georgia, and for Egypt and Lebanon, Brussels, 2 March 2005.

(6)  See the working document by Mr Stulik (REX/220).

(7)  See the Dimitriadis report submitted to the Malta Euromed Summit — REX 113, points 35 and 36.1 in particular.

(8)  See, among the most recent, the REX Opinion on the subject REX/208 (rapporteur Mr Pezzini).

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