Resolution by the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework beyond 2020 and development of the Eastern Partnership plus model

(2018/C 343/07)

THE EURONEST PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY,

— having regard to the Constituent Act of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly of 3 May 2011,

— Having regard to the three Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, which have opened a qualitatively new chapter in the relations of the associated countries with the EU and provide a solid basis for the progressive development of partnerships between them,

— having regard to the Global Strategy for EU Foreign and Security Policy adopted in 2016, as well as to the Progress Report on its implementation (to be overviewed by the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 June 2018) and to the European Parliament recommendation of 15 November 2017 to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the Eastern Partnership, in the run-up to the November 2017 summit,

— having regard to the communications by the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), and to the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council on the ENP and the Eastern Partnership,

— having regard to the Joint Statement of the Parliaments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the Joint Communiqué by the chairs of the committees on European integration of the Parliaments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, and the Kyiv Joint Declaration by the Presidents of the Parliaments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine on the intention to create an interparliamentary assembly,

A. whereas the EU's assistance is of critical importance for the associated partners' ability to implement their ambitious reform agenda in line with the respective Association Agreements;

B. whereas the EU's solid financial and technical assistance to the associated countries has contributed to building democratic institutions, ensuring the rule of law and respect for human rights, developing a market economy and a competitive business environment, bringing sectoral policies in line with European standards, and developing strong political and economic linkages with the EU;

C. whereas in view of its enduring power of attraction — as stated in the Global Strategy for EU Foreign and Security Policy — the EU must continue to function as a gravity pole for the associated countries;

D. whereas the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the associated countries is under threat from unresolved regional conflicts provoked by Russia;

E. whereas Russia's aggressive policy towards the associated countries, taking the form in particular of aggression, occupation, annexation and financing and arming of separatists, poses a threat to the security, stability and development of the associated countries and the entire European continent;

1. Calls for united efforts for the peaceful settlement of protracted conflicts in the associated countries, through the involvement of major international organisations such as the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe;

2. Condemns the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the occupied territories of associated countries perpetrated by Russia;

3. Reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Eastern Partnership countries within their internationally recognised borders;

4. Underlines the need for urgent advocacy and legal and financial support for the associated countries in resolving the situation regarding internally displaced persons;

5. Calls for the enhancement where appropriate of the security dialogue between the EU and the Eastern Partners and for cooperation in the area of the Common Security and Defence Policy;

6. Welcomes the 20 deliverables for 2020, as well as the key priority areas including: economic development and market opportunities; strengthening institutions and good governance; connectivity, energy efficiency, the environment and climate change; and mobility and people-to-people contacts;

7. Welcomes further development of the ‘Eastern Partnership+’ concept, which is based on strengthening sectoral integration between the EU and the Eastern Partners;

8. Supports the perspective of the association of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine with the Schengen area and their integration into the EU's customs union, energy union and single digital market;

9. Believes that the new MFF should explicitly reflect the strategic priority of supporting the Eastern European partners on their path towards EU integration, and that the special status of being European states neighbouring the EU is a defining factor that must be acknowledged in the MFF;

10. Believes that the merger of the traditional European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) with other financing instruments designed for various regions would send a politically wrong and damaging signal to other countries, especially the associated partners, and would be interpreted as an indication of reduced political interest on the EU's part in the Eastern Partnership region;

11. Urges maintaining the principles of differentiation and ‘more for more’, in order to incentivise the reform endeavours of the partners, noting that merging all external instruments into one may challenge the performance-based approach and shift the focus from better-performing countries to those with more acute challenges;