JOINT STAFF WORKING PAPER Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2010Follow-Up to the Joint Communication on a Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean  JOINT STAFF WORKING PAPER Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2010Follow-Up to the Joint Communication on a Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean
Date: 2011-05-25
Institutions: European Commission, High Representative of the Union
Subjects: European neighbourhood policy, Mediterranean third countries, State aid, association agreement, bilateral agreement, democracy, economic reform, human rights, political cooperation, political reform

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION FOR 
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND 
SECURITY POLICY

Brussels, 25.5.2011 
SEC(2011) 638 final 

JOINT STAFF WORKING PAPER 

Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2010 
Follow-Up to the Joint Communication on a Partnership for Democracy and Shared 
Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean 

{COM(2011) 303 final} 
{SEC(2011) 637 final} 
{SEC(2011) 639 final} 
{SEC(2011) 640 final} 
{SEC(2011) 641 final} 
{SEC(2011) 642 final} 
{SEC(2011) 643 final} 
{SEC(2011) 644 final} 
{SEC(2011) 645 final} 
{SEC(2011) 646 final} 
{SEC(2011) 647 final} 
{SEC(2011) 648 final} 
{SEC(2011) 649 final} 
{SEC(2011) 650 final} 
{SEC(2011) 651 final} 
{SEC(2011) 652 final} 

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JOINT STAFF WORKING PAPER 

Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2010 
Follow-Up to the Joint Communication on a Partnership for Democracy and Shared 
Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean 

There is considerable read-across between the Communication on the review of the European 
Neighbourhood  Policy  and  the  8  March  Communication  on  “A  partnership  for  democracy 
and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean” (COM(2011)200).  

The  Communication  on  the  southern  Mediterranean  sets  out  the  steps  taken  and  the  instruments 
available  to  respond  immediately  to  ongoing  events,  be  it  supporting  the  transition  in  Tunisia  or 
helping to prevent a humanitarian crisis in and around Libya.   It also looks into the future outlining an 
incentive based approach to assist political, economic and social reforms in the countries of the region. 
Highlighting  the  importance  of  higher  standards  of  human  rights,  democracy  and  accountable 
governance it builds around three priority areas: 

•  Democratic transformation and institution building, with a particular focus on fundamental 
freedoms, constitutional reforms, reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption 

•  A stronger partnership with the people, with specific emphasis on support to civil society 
and  on  enhanced  opportunities  for  exchanges  and  people-to-people  contacts  with  a 
particular focus on the young 

•  Sustainable  and  inclusive  growth  and  economic  development  especially  to  support  to  Small  and 
Medium Enterprises (SMEs), vocational and educational training, improving health and education 
systems and development of the poorer regions. 

The  Communication  on  'a  new  response  to  a  changing  Neighbourhood'  provides  additional 
information as to how the above priorities will be addressed, both in terms of principles to be 
applied and specific measures to be implemented. It sets out proposals for additional funding, 
under  the  current  Financial  Framework,  and  the  tools  and  programmes  through  which  this 
support will be delivered. Finally, it integrates these elements in a broader policy framework 
that  includes  a  long-term  vision  and  a  medium-term  agenda  covering  the  whole  of  the 
Neighbourhood. 

With respect to the 8 March Communication, services in the European Commission and the 
European External Action Service have jointly embarked on an effort to put words into action 
– to demonstrate progress in key areas of support for democracy, society and the economy. 
This document highlights some of the specific areas where work has already been undertaken.  

1. 

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 

ECHO  (EU  humanitarian  aid  and  civil  protection)  teams  are  present  at  the  Tunisian-Libyan 
and borders as well as in eastern Libya in order to assess humanitarian needs and the overall 
situation.  EUR  40  million  has  been  made  available  for  humanitarian  assistance  to  the  most 
affected  people  in  Libya  and  neighbouring  countries  (Tunisia,  Egypt).  The  Commission  is 
ready  to  increase  its  funding  if  needs  on  the  ground  so  require.  On  15  May  ,  the  total  EU 
contribution (European Commission and Member States) totalled almost EUR 103 million.  

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2. 

FOSTERING CIVIL SOCIETY 

While awaiting a more comprehensive needs assessment, in March the Commission launched 
local  actions  (through  calls  for  proposals)  in  Tunis  and  Cairo  in  support  of  civil  society.  
Particular focus is given on helping Egyptian and Tunisian Civil Society Organisations to play 
an  active  and  effective  role  in  shaping  the  reform  agenda,  and  to  help  with  effectively 
engaging all strata of the population in this process.  

3. 

SUPPORT FOR THE ELECTORAL PROCESS 

In  Tunisia  an  EU  expert  team  is  currently  working  on  electoral  legislation  and  democratic 
transition. Further assistance will be given to support the training of local elections observers 
throughout  the  country,  to  promote  a  gender-sensitive  democratic  transition  and  to  support 
professionalism of the media. The EU has received an invitation from the Tunisian authorities 
to  observe  the  Constituent  Assembly  elections  planned  for  24  July  and  sent  an  exploratory 
mission at the end of April. 

4. 

SCREENING  AND  REFOCUSING  OF  ONGOING  EU  AID  PROGRAMMES  IN  THE 
SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES  

The Commission services and the EEAS are screening National Indicative Programmes 2011–
2013  and  Annual  Action  Plans  2011  with  partner  Governments.  Some  modifications  have 
already been made to 2011 project pipelines to strengthen governance, employment and youth 
dimensions.  A  first  set  of  Actions  Fiches  (financing  proposals)  will  be  presented  to  the 
Member States in July and the remainder will follow in September.   

5. 

INCREASE IN EIB LENDING TO THE REGION BY AN ADDITIONAL EUR 1 BILLION 

The European Parliament proposed increasing the lending envelope by EUR 1 billion for the 
Mediterranean.  The  European  Council  of  24/25  March  concluded  that  the  ceiling  for  EIB 
operations  for  Mediterranean  countries  undertaking  political  reform  should  be  increased  by 
EUR 1 billion. This issue is part of the mid-term review of the EIB external mandate currently 
under negotiation in the EP and Council. Several trilogue meetings have already taken place. 
The shared aim is to finalise the negotiations during the summer 2011. 

6. 

EXTENSION OF THE EBRD MANDATE TO SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES 
(WITH A MOBILISATION OF EUR 1 BILLION) 

As  proposed  in  the  Joint  Communication,  the  European  Council  of  24/25  March  concluded 
that  EBRD  shareholders  should  consider  the  possible  extension  of  the  Bank's  activities  to 
countries  in  the  Southern  Neighbourhood.  The  EBRD  presented  an  initial  technical 
assessment to its Board. Some time will be necessary to allow shareholders to firm up their 
positions.  In  the  meantime,  the  issue  should  continue  to  be  explored  informally  within  the 
Bank  and  in  international  fora  (G7/8,  G20  and  the  IMF/WB  Spring  meetings)  before  the 
Astana Annual Meeting on 21 May, where a formal decision is expected to be taken by the 
EBRD Governors 

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7. 

CONCLUSION  OF  THE  SINGLE  REGIONAL  CONVENTION  ON  PAN-EURO-
MEDITERRANEAN PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN IN 2011 

A Council Decision on the signature of the Convention was taken on 14 April.2011.   This is 
now with the European Parliament for assent. 

8. 

THE NEW APPROACH ON PARTNERSHIP FOR MIGRATION, MOBILITY AND SECURITY 

The  Commission  will  make  proposals  on  migration  policy,  including  for  the  southern 
Mediterranean area, in May.  

9. 

ENHANCING  TRADE  AND 
NEIGHBOURS 

INVESTMENT  WITH  SOUTHERN  MEDITERRANEAN 

Informal  contacts  have  started  or  are  about  to  start  with  different  Southern  Mediterranean 
countries to assess their readiness to engage in negotiations (or preparations for negotiations) 
in  the  fields  of  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  and  fisheries  products,  liberalisation  of 
trade  in  services  and  establishment  and  conformity  assessment  and  acceptance  of  industrial 
products.  Contacts  have  also  intensified  with  the  European  Parliament  on  the  agricultural 
agreement  with  Morocco  on  which  the  consent  of  the  EP  is  needed.  Negotiations  with 
Morocco on trade in services and establishment are likely to be re-launched at political level 
in May. A first meeting to launch the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Trade and 
Investment facilitation mechanism will take place in May. 

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