JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity: Report on activities in 2011 and Roadmap for future action Accompanying the document JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Delivering on a new European Neighbourhood Policy
Date: 2012-05-15
Institutions: European Commission, High Representative of the Union
Subjects: European neighbourhood policy, Mediterranean third countries, aid to undertakings, civil society, democratisation, economic growth, employment aid, financial aid, liberalisation of trade

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

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

Brussels, 15.5.2012  
SWD(2012) 121 final 

JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity: Report on activities in 2011 and 
Roadmap for future action 

Accompanying the document 

JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, 
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE 
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Delivering on a new European Neighbourhood Policy 

{JOIN(2012) 14 final} 
{SWD(2012) 110 final} 
{SWD(2012) 111 final} 
{SWD(2012) 112 final} 
{SWD(2012) 113 final} 
{SWD(2012) 114 final} 
{SWD(2012) 115 final} 
{SWD(2012) 116 final} 
{SWD(2012) 117 final} 
{SWD(2012) 118 final} 
{SWD(2012) 119 final} 
{SWD(2012) 120 final} 
{SWD(2012) 122 final} 
{SWD(2012) 123 final} 
{SWD(2012) 124 final} 

EN 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION    

The EU has reacted to the historic events unfolding in the Southern Mediterranean rapidly and 
boldly. It has recast its policy.  It has been at the forefront in supporting the efforts of those 
working towards change and reform. The European External Action Service and the European 
Commission  have  worked  hand  in  hand  to  ensure  that  diplomatic  efforts  and  EU  policy 
instruments  are  fully  and  coherently  deployed  to  achieve  the  best  results  on  the  basis  of  a 
'more for more' approach.  

This document reviews the first year of implementation of the Partnership for Democracy and 
Shared Prosperity and sets out the objectives to be pursued under the Partnership to the end of 
2013 and the expected achievements. As such it responds to the European Council request of 
1st March 2012 for  'a roadmap to guide the implementation of EU policy vis à vis southern 
Mediterranean partners'. It also reports on the regional and sub-regional co-operation issues 
that  are  connected  with  the  implementation  of  the  partnership  and  the  use  of  the  additional 
resources allocated last May to implement the partnership. 

The new policy framework 

On 8 March 2011, in their first joint Communication1, the High Representative for the Union 
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission confirmed their support for the 
Southern  Mediterranean  peoples’  drive  towards  greater  respect  for  human  rights,  more 
democracy,  dignity  and  prosperity.    The  EU    offered  to    Southern  Mediterranean  partner 
countries    “A  partnership  for  democracy  and  shared  prosperity”  in  the  context  of  the 
European Neighbourhood Policy. The partnership is founded on an incentive-based approach 
supporting  partners  that  are  committed  to  reforms.  It  focuses  on  three  elements:  democratic 
transformation;  a  partnership  with  people  and  civil  society,  and  sustainable  and  inclusive 
growth. 

Two  months  later,  with  the  joint  Communication  on  "A  new  response  to  a  changing 
Neighbourhood"2, the High Representative and the Commission, spelt out more concretely the 
EU’s new policy approach and proposed to allocate substantial additional financial resources 
to support democratic transition.  

Following these communications and as part of the new policy approach, the EU has launched 
discussions with Morocco on a new Action Plan in the framework of its Advanced Status and 
has  initiated  talks  to  upgrade  relations  with  Tunisia.  In  response  to  Algeria’s  interest  in 
engaging with the European Neighbourhood Policy for the first time, the EU has also started 
discussions on negotiating an EU – Algeria Action Plan.  

Diplomatic efforts 

Since the beginning of February 2011, the Foreign Affairs Council and the European Council 
have  held  regular  discussions  on  the  Arab  Spring,  confirming  the  EU's  support  for  the 
democratic  transition  and  addressing  country  situations  of  particular  concern.  Through  her 
bilateral  contacts,  the  High  Representative/Vice  President  (HR/VP)  supported  the  efforts  of 

1 COM (2011) 200 of 8.03.2011 
2 COM (2011) 303 of 25.05.2011 

2 

 
                                                 
EU Member States which are members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)  to 
ensure that the Security Council takes prompt action.   

During  the  crisis  in  Libya,  the  EU  was  at  the  forefront  of  the  international  humanitarian 
response. The EU acted fast to open an EU office in Benghazi and later on a Delegation in 
Tripoli.    The  EU  also  sought  to  shape  consensus  at  the  international  level  through  HR/VP 
Declarations and Conclusions from the European Council and Foreign Affairs Councils, and 
by participating in key international meetings such as those of the International Contact Group 
on  Libya.  The  HR/VP  helped  bring  together  the  divergent  positions  of  key  international 
partners  as  part  of  the  “Cairo  Group”  (comprising  the  African  Union,  the  Arab  League,  the 
EU, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the UN).  The EU took restrictive measures 
against  the  Libyan  regime  including  measures  against  designated  persons  and  entities. 
Following  UNSC  resolutions  2009  and  2016,  the  EU  delisted  certain  entities,  partially 
released frozen funds and lifted  the no-fly zone. Consultations are ongoing with the  Libyan 
authorities to ascertain their control of the remaining entities before deciding whether to delist 
them.  

In response to the requests from the Libyan authorities and in full respect of the principle of 
Libyan  ownership,  the  EU  has  participated  in  the  joint  needs  assessment  under  the  overall 
coordination  of  the  UN.  Without  prejudice  to  the  assessment  exercise  in  the  key  fields  of 
border management, civil society and women's rights, as well as communications and media, 
the EU is working to combine its actions and instruments to provide further assistance to the 
new  Libya  across  a  range  of  sectors,  including  on  democratisation,  rule  of  law,  institution-
building, security sector reform, police training and the re-launching of the economy. 

With regard to Syria, the EU has strongly condemned the systematic human rights violations 
by  the  Syrian  regime.  The  EU  has  called  on  President  Assad  to  step  aside  and  allow  a 
peaceful  and  democratic  transition.  Together  with  EU  Member  States  at  the  UNSC,  the  EU 
spared  no  effort  to  ensure  that  the  international  community  speaks  with  one  voice  in  full 
support  of  the  UN-League  of  Arab  States  Special  Envoy  Kofi  Annan's  plan.  The  High 
Representative/Vice  President  and  EEAS  participated  in  the  Friends  of  Syria  meetings.  The 
High Representative/Vice President convened regularly the Crisis Platform bringing together 
all  relevant  services  in  the  EEAS  and  the  Commission  (sanctions,  humanitarian  assistance, 
cooperation, liaison with EU Delegations and support to the UN). In response to the crisis, the 
EU  suspended  all  types  of  cooperation.  The  EU  has  only  maintained  aid  that  benefits  the 
Syrian population, students, human rights defenders and the opposition. The EU put forward a 
contribution  of  EUR  10  million  in  humanitarian  aid  to  Syria  and  affected  neighbouring 
countries.    The  EU  has  also  worked  closely  with  Syria's  neighbouring  countries  and  has 
proposed  a  Commission  Special  Measure  to  reserve  23  million  of  ENPI  funds  to  support 
specifically  Syrian  civil  society  as  well  as  refugees  and  affected  populations  in  neighbour 
countries.   

The  EU  imposed  restrictive  measures  and  kept  them  under  constant  review.  The  EU 
Delegation in Damascus remained open to support the Syrian people and to help coordinate 
the  EU  response  to  the  crisis.    The  EU  Delegation  hosts  several  diplomats  from  Member 
States that decided to suspend the activity of their own embassies. 

To  support  effectively  the  democratic  transition,  which  in  a  number  of  countries  is  proving 
difficult, the EU  is continuously adapting its diplomatic, technical and financial efforts. The 
success  of  these  efforts  largely  depends  on  a  common  approach  bringing  together  all  EU 
member sates and other key international players.  

3 

 
The Special Representative 

In July 2011, the Council appointed an EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the Southern 
Mediterranean region.  Working together with the Commission and the EEAS, the new EUSR 
has  contributed  to  the  EU's  response  by  enhancing  the  Union's  effectiveness  and  visibility 
through political dialogue and economic cooperation with all parties involved in the process 
of  democratic  transformation  in  the  region.  To  achieve  these  objectives,  the  Task  Force  is 
designed to work together with our partners bringing country-specific expertise and resources 
from the EU, the EU Member States, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development as well as other International Financial Institutions and the 
private  sector.  The  EU-Tunisia  and  EU-Jordan  Task  Forces  have  proven  to  be  effective 
instruments  for  democratic  change,  accelerating  the  delivery  of  support,  and  financial 
assistance  by  involving  a  wide  range  of  institutions.  Acting  as  a  catalyst,  the  Task  Force 
allows  deepening  the  EU's  relationship  with  countries  in  a  results-oriented,  tailored  and 
differentiated way. 

This  has  already  brought  tangible  results  to  the  region.  The  first  Task  Force  took  place  in 
Tunisia  in  September  2011  and  announced  a  very  substantial  international  support  package, 
covering both grants and loans, to which the Commission contributed with EUR 400 million 
in grants for the period 2011-2013. The second Task Force met in Jordan in February 2012 to 
encourage  and  support  the  process  of  political  and  economic  reforms.  Political  parties  and 
civil society organisations contributed to the Task Force. A substantial international financial 
package was also announced on this occasion. The Task Forces are not one-off exercises but a 
process  that  includes  follow  up  meetings  at  different  levels  to  assess  the  progress  and 
implementation.  The  joint  bodies  established  under  the  Association  Agreement  monitor  the 
implementation  of  the  Task  Force's  recommendations.  Following  the  Presidential  elections 
and transfer to civilian rule, an EU-Egypt Task Force will be organized in 2012. 

2. 

A ROADMAP TO GUIDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EU POLICY VIS À VIS SOUTHERN 
MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERS  

2.1  BUILDING SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY   

2.1.1  Objective 

Building sustainable democracies where the right to vote is accompanied by: 

1.  rights  to  exercise  free  speech,  form  associations  and  competing  political  parties, 
receive  impartial  justice,  security  from  accountable  police  and  army  forces,  access  to  a 
competent and non-corrupt civil service; 
2.  other civil and human rights such as the freedom of thought, conscience and religion; 
3.  the  establishment  of  a  direct  and  genuine  partnership  and  cooperation  with  the 
societies and their representatives.  

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.1.2   Implementation so far 

Human Rights and Democracy 

Throughout  2011  the  EU  has  provided  assistance  to  countries  engaged  in  democratic 
transition while acknowledging that democratisation must be owned and driven by the people 
of the countries concerned.   

The  EU  has  provided  support  for  elections.  In  Tunisia,  it  provided  technical  assistance  to 
help  the  authorities  organise  the  Constituent  Assembly  elections  as  well  as  early  support  to 
civil  society  including  training  of  domestic  observers.  The  EU  deployed  an    Election 
Observation Mission during the elections. In Libya, the EU is delivering substantial assistance 
to  emerging  civil  society  organisations  (EUR  11.4  million)  and  is  helping  the  authorities 
organise the elections foreseen for June 2012. Although Egypt did not take up the EU’s offer 
of a fully-fledged Electoral Observation Mission for parliamentary and presidential elections, 
the  EU  provided  capacity  building  to  help  the  High  Electoral  Commission  increase  voters’ 
participation  and  to  help  civil  society  organizations  (CSOs)  raise  public  awareness  of  the 
elections  (EUR  2  million).  In  addition,  the  EU  helped  train  more  than  a  thousand  domestic 
election  monitors  through  CSOs.  In  Morocco,  an  EU  ad-hoc  expert  mission  on  electoral 
matters was deployed for two weeks in the context of parliamentary elections. Algeria invited 
the EU to observe legislative elections which are due to take place in May 2012. The election 
observation mission was deployed on 31st March 2012. 

Immediately after the adoption of the joint Communications, the EU and its partner countries 
carried  out  a  screening  exercise.  The  aim  was  to  re-direct  EUR  646  million  budgeted  for  
partners’  national  indicative  programmes,  towards  the  new  objectives  set  out  in  the  two 
communications.  This  led  to  increased  support  for  actions  in  the  area  of  democracy  and 
institution building. 

In  Egypt,  the  EU  is  now  funding  a  EUR  2.l5  million  programme  under  the  UN  Office  on 
Drugs  and  Crime,  which  will  help  Egypt  set  up  effective  mechanisms  to  combat  corruption 
and  money  laundering  and  create  necessary  framework  to  implement  the  United  Nations 
Convention against Corruption. 

In Tunisia, a “peer review” of the justice sector was conducted in 2011 to prepare for an EU 
programme  to  support  reform  of  the  judiciary.  Similarly,  a  “peer  review”  of  the  security 
sector  is  being  discussed  with  the  Tunisian  authorities.  Support  for  elections  will  also 
continue  for  the  next  electoral  cycle.  In  addition,  under  the  new  Support  for  Partnership, 
Reforms  and  Inclusive  Growth  (SPRING)  programme,  approved  by  the  Commission  in 
September, EUR 10 million will be made available to support Tunisia’s reform priorities and 
in particular the democratic transition and the rule of law. 

In the current transition context in Libya, it is crucial for the stability in the country that basic 
public services can continue to be provided to the population. At the request of the National 
Transitional  Council,  the  EU  set  up  a  public  administration  capacity-building  facility  (EUR 
4.5  million)  in  order  to  respond  in  a  flexible  manner  to  the  country’s  immediate  needs  for 
technical  assistance.  The  ongoing  post-conflict  needs  assessment  on  border  management, 
media  and  civil  society  will  identify  what  specific  priority  action  must  be  taken,  and  will 
propose a sequencing of this assistance according to the urgency of the needs. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In January 2012, the EU and the Council of Europe (CoE) signed an EUR 4.8 million joint 
programme which will give to partner countries the possibility to tap into CoE expertise in a 
number  of  areas  (e.g.  constitutional  reform,  elections,  fight  against  corruption,  judicial 
reform).  

The  proposed  European  Endowment  for  Democracy  (EED)  is  designed  to  support 
emerging  pro-democratic  movements  and  actors,  civil  society  organisations,  young  leaders, 
independent  media,  journalists,  and  other  beneficiaries  who  have  not  been  adequately 
supported by the EU in the past. On 15 December 2011, the Member States the Commission 
and the High Representative agreed, on the main principles for setting up the EED. It should 
take  the  form  of  an  autonomous  International  Trust  Fund  operating  independently  under 
flexible  and  transparent  rules.  Initially,  though  not  exclusively,  the  EED  will  focus  on  the 
European Neighbourhood.  

Full  participation  of  women  in  society  is  key.  The  EU  has  been  to  the  fore  on  women’s 
rights. In September 2011 the HR/VP convened a high level meeting in New York, attended 
among  others  by  Hillary  Clinton,  Helen  Clark  and  Michele  Bachelet.  This  meeting  drew 
international  attention  to  the  need  to  ensure  that  women  play  an  active  part  in  political 
processes worldwide, including in the Southern Mediterranean. On 12 November, the HR/VP 
addressed  the  Women’s  Rights  Forum  in  Libya  bringing  together  representatives  from  the 
region and announced the imminent launch of a new programme for women’s empowerment, 
with capacity building and education as its central pillars. A regional campaign on women’s 
political participation in Middle East and North Africa was launched in December.  The EU is 
also  implementing  concrete  projects  in  this  field.  It  has  launched  schemes  to  help  prevent 
violence  against  women,  to  support  women’s  leadership  and  participation  in  elections,  to 
ensure  non  discriminatory  access  to  the  labour  market  and  to  eliminate  legal  discrimination 
against  women.  In  Tunisia,  the  EU  is  promoting  gender  sensitive  institutional  and  judicial 
reforms and women’s participation in elections. In Egypt, awareness of women’s participation 
in  political  life  is  raised  through  the  “Spirit  of  Tahrir”  cultural  initiative.  In  Jordan,  two 
“Village Business Incubators” promote rural women’s participation in the labour market. 

A partnership with societies 

To reinforce its support for civil society, the Commission adopted the Civil Society Facility3 
on 20 September. This will strengthen civil society’s ability to promote and monitor reform, 
to  carry  out  advocacy  work  and  to  increase  public  accountability.  The  funding  dedicated  to 
the EU southern neighbourhood was EUR 12 million in 2011. Similar amounts are foreseen 
for 2012 and 2013.  

The EU has renewed and increased its support for the Anna Lindh Foundation in its efforts 
to mobilise and revitalise civil society in the region. A new programme, to run concurrently 
and  to  be  incorporated  in  its  current  mandate,  will  start  in  2012  and  target  countries  in  the 
Southern Mediterranean. Using the ‘European Neighbourhood Journalism Network' under 
the EUROMED Regional Information and Communication Programme, a series of workshops 
have been organised to assess journalists’ needs for training, following the Arab Spring. 

3 The Facility is being implemented through calls for proposals and capacity development (both at regional and 
national level). 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
The  EU  has  been  supporting  the  development  of  youth  policies  in  the  Southern 
Neighbourhood  for many years through the regional programme EUROMED Youth, now in 
its  phase  IV.  In  response  to  the  Arab  Spring,  the  original  budget  of  EUR  5  million  of  this 
programme has been increased by EUR 6 millions. The EU has also strengthened its support 
to  education  policies  and  exchanges,  in  particular  through  the  ERASMUS  and  TEMPUS 
programmes. 

The  dialogue  between  social  partners  from  Southern  Mediterranean  countries  with  their 
counterparts from EU member states on employment and social issues continued.  

2.1.3 Expected achievements by end 2013 

•  Elections in the regions will have been conducted in line with international standards; 
•  Respect for human rights and good governance standard will have improved;  
•  New  generation  Action  Plans    including  detailed  provisions  on  democracy,  human 

rights and good governance will have been agreed with most partner countries; 
Implementation of such Action Plans will have started; 

• 
•  Algeria and Libya will fully participate in the European Neighbourhood Policy; 

2.1.4 EU support 

Planned interventions for the period 2012-13 in this area include: 

•  Governance  (improvement  and  modernisation  of  budget  and  administration 
transparency (EUR 75 million) and Justice sector (EUR 50 million) in Morocco;  

•  Media  and  Civil  Society  (EUR  10  million),  Justice  (EUR  30  million)  and  Security 

(EUR 5 million) in Jordan; 

•  Social Justice (EUR 12 million) and Security (EUR 8 million) in Lebanon; 

•  Governance  and  State  building  (EUR  20.5  million)  in  the  occupied  Palestinian 

territory (oPt); 

• 

Justice (EUR 20 million), Constituent Assembly (EUR 2 million) and Security Reform 
(EUR 53 million) in Tunisia.  

•  Civil  Society  Facility  (CSF)  regular  calls  for  proposals  that  will  provide  funding  for 

projects to support capacity building of NGOs in public advocacy; 

•  The EU funded programme with the Council of Europe (CoE), with a EUR 4.8 million 
grant support from the EU, that will contribute to  reinforce democracy and respect for 
the rule of law;  

•  The  new  regional  programme  "Political  and  economic  empowerment  of  women  in 
Southern Mediterranean region" currently under preparation, that will promote access 
and effective participation of marginalised women in economic and public life; 

•  The  Anna  Lindh  Foundation  new  programme  that  will  improve  the  capacity  of  civil 
societies  and  NGOs  in  the  South  Mediterranean  region  to  actively  participate  in 
democratic transition and process of reform;  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Building  on  the  regional  networks  established  by  the  regional  programmes,  such  as 
EUROMED  Police  III,  Justice  III,  Migration  III  and  Communication,  a  process  of 
sharing experience at regional level on issues relevant for the democratic transition.  

2.2 

INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND INVESTMENT 

2.2.1  Objectives  

•  Contribute to providing growth and jobs and addressing the economic expectations of 

the populations, and notably of the youth; 

•  Support the promotion of small and medium enterprises, job creation and training; 

• 

Increase  trade  including  through  the  establishment  of  the  Deep  and  Comprehensive 
Free Trade Areas between the EU and the partner countries; 

•  Facilitate European investments in the region.   

2.2.2  Implementation so far: 

Job creation and support for SMEs 

The  refocusing  of  EU  assistance  following  a  screening  exercise  led  to  a  number  of  new 
activities to promote job creation and SME development. 

In  Jordan,  the  EU  front-loaded  EUR  40  million  from  2012/2013  envelope  for  new 
programmes  to  support  public  finance  management  and  to  help  modernising  the  service 
sector.  In  Tunisia,  the  EU  prepared  a  new  (EUR  20  million)  programme  for  impoverished 
regions. A project implemented by the European Training Foundation (ETF) was launched in 
March 2012 in the Tunisian region of Medenine, aimed at fostering youth employability and 
adapting education and training to the needs of the local labour market. Increased funding was 
provided  to  the  programme  "Appui  à  la  Relance"  to  help  re-launch  the  Tunisian  economy 
(EUR 100 million).  

In Egypt, a new EUR 22 million programme was drawn up to support agricultural SMEs. In 
Algeria,  a  new  programme  for  youth  employment  (EUR  23.5  million)  was  prepared  by  re-
allocating funds originally earmarked for the transport sector.  

At  regional  level,  the  EU  developed  industrial  cooperation  with  Mediterranean  partners 
through  the  implementation  of  the  priority  actions  outlined  at  the  8th  Euro-Med  ministerial 
meeting  in  May  2011  in  Malta.  To  promote  SMEs  and  entrepreneurship,  training  was 
provided in various areas of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise, and a survey was 
conducted on sustainable enterprise development. All countries jointly established indicators 
to  assess  whether  entrepreneurship  was  being  promoted  in  third-level  education.   Tunisia 
joined the Enterprise Europe Network and Morocco applied to join the Network.    

Follow-up  to  the  Euro-Mediterranean  framework  on  employment,  employability  and  decent 
work continued through policy dialogue meetings and cooperation among social partners. 

Lending from EIB, EBRD and other European Finance institutions 

For many years, the EIB has been one of the biggest providers of funds to the Mediterranean 
region and has developed its activities under the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment 
and  Partnership  (FEMIP).  A  revision  of  the  EIB  mandate  in  2011  added  a  further  EUR  1 
billion to the EUR 8.7 billion earmarked for the Mediterranean countries in 2007-2013. This 

8 

 
 
enabled the EIB to sustain its activity in the region whilst focusing on countries undertaking 
political reform. 

Following agreement by the EBRD Governors in September 2011, the mandate of the EBRD 
is being extended to allow it to fund activities in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. The 
Commission submitted a proposal to the Council and the EP in December 2011 ensuring that 
the EU supports this extension. The Board of Directors formally agreed for EBRD operations 
to begin in Tunisia through the use of Cooperation Funds on 17 January. A temporary office 
was opened in Tunis on 1 March, in which a senior banker is currently working. 

As a "Quick-Start" mechanism, the EBRD has agreed to mobilise up to EUR 100 million of 
financial  assistance,  including  a  EUR  20  million  contribution  from  the  EU  Neighbourhood 
Investment Facility (NIF) for technical assistance to improve the beneficiaries’ absorption and 
project  management  capacity.  In  2011  the  NIF  provided  a  first  EUR  5  million  grant 
contribution  to  EBRD  for  SME  support  in  the  region.  An  additional  EUR  15  million 
contribution has been agreed at the beginning of 2012 to allow the EBRD to prepare several 
transport  and  municipal 
investment  operations  mainly 
infrastructure  initially  in  Egypt,  Morocco  and  Tunisia.  Local  private  sector  development  is 
one of the key priorities for EIB and EBRD operations, alongside infrastructure and climate 
change mitigation and adaptation. 

targeting  energy  efficiency, 

A  new  EUR  20  million  SME  investment  scheme,  the  SANAD  fund,  was  also  launched  in 
August.  It  was  funded  by  the  EU  and  Kreditanstalt  für  Wiederaufbau  (KfW),  with  an  EU 
contribution  of  EUR  10  million  from  the  NIF.  This  investment  fund  aims  at  promoting  the 
creation and development of SMEs in the region. 

The NIF has continued to develop its activities.  In  2011,  it  made  a  contribution  of  EUR  91 
million. These resources have helped to leverage funds from other international and European 
financial institutions at a ratio of 1 to 15. 

The two Task Forces established by the EU with Jordan and Tunisia have helped promote co-
ordination between the EU, its Member States, other interested donors, the private sector and 
European and international finance institutions such as the EIB and the EBRD.  A series of 
concrete measures to help restore economic growth, support reforms and ease the transition to 
more democratic systems of government were agreed during the Task Forces meetings.  

Macro-economic Dialogues  

Against a background of economic and financial difficulties in the Euro area and in the Arab 
countries,  macro-economic  dialogues  proved  to  be  particularly  useful  for  the  EU  and  the 
concerned partner country, allowing a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the economic 
challenges. At the same time, the Commission continues to monitor the macroeconomic and 
financial conditions of its partner countries and the EU stands ready to supply macro financial 
assistance  provided  that  there  is  an  IMF  arrangement  in  place  and  a  demonstrated  need  for 
complementary balance-of payments assistance.  

Trade  

In  October,  following  the  invitation  by  the  June  Foreign  Affairs  Council,  the  Commission 
asked  the  Council  for  a  negotiating  mandate  to  begin  negotiations  for  Deep  and 
Comprehensive  Free  Trade  Areas  (DCFTAs)  with  Egypt,  Jordan,  Morocco  and  Tunisia. 
The Council adopted the negotiating directives on 14 December. The main objective of these 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
future negotiations will be to facilitate the progressive integration of the economies of these 
partners  into  the  EU  single  market.  The  future  agreements  will  include  regulatory 
convergence  in  areas  such  as  competition,  intellectual  property  rights,  public  procurement, 
trade  facilitation  and  customs  procedures.  This  will  have  an  impact  not  only  on  trade  and 
investment,  but  also,  more  generally,  on  economic  governance  and  on  the  business  climate. 
DCFTAs will also include provisions on investment protection and on further liberalisation as 
appropriate. Each agreement will be tailored to the needs and specificities of our partners. The 
first Commission mission to initiate the preparatory process took place on 14th March. 

Preparations for these negotiations will be very important. A thorough scoping exercise prior 
to negotiations will help assessing the level of ambition and capacity of each of the partners 
on  implementing  future  commitments  under  the  DCFTAs,  in  particular  on  regulatory 
approximation. 

The  Agreements  on  conformity  assessment  and  acceptance  of  industrial  products 
(ACAAs)  are  instruments  for  opening  up  markets  to  industrial  products.  They  involve 
bringing  partner  countries  fully  into  line  with  the  EU’s  technical  regulations,  standards  and 
quality  framework  for  industrial  products.  The  EU’s  Mediterranean  neighbours  are,  each  at 
their own speed, preparing to negotiate the agreement (or, in the case of Israel, to finalise it). 
Tunisia's  progress  in  these  preparations  will  allow  negotiations  with  this  country  to  start  in 
2012 for two sectors (electrical products and construction materials).  

Negotiations  on  a  Convention  on  preferential  rules  of  origin  for  the  Pan-Euro-
Mediterranean  region  were  concluded  in  2009.  The  Convention  consolidates  all  existing 
bilateral protocols in one legal document, facilitating the subsequent revision of the pan-Euro-
Mediterranean rules of origin. It was opened for signature in June 2011 and signed, but not 
yet  ratified,  by  Jordan  in  July  2011  and  by  Morocco  in  April  2012.  The  other  Southern 
Mediterranean  partners should accelerate the completion of their internal procedures for the 
signature and the ratification. 

The  new  agreement  with  Morocco  on  further  liberalisation  of  agricultural,  processed 
agricultural  and  fishery  products  tariffs,  revising  the  provisions  of  the  Association 
Agreement,  was  approved  by  the  European  Parliament  in  February  2012.  It  offers Morocco 
and the EU significant preferential market access for agricultural and fisheries products. The 
agreement  with  Morocco  will  enter  into  force  on  1  July  2012.  The  Agricultural  Trade 
Agreement with the Palestinian Authority was signed in April 2011 and entered into force on 
1 January 2012. It offers a unilateral liberalisation of trade in agricultural products, processed 
agricultural products, and fish and fisheries products. Negotiations on an Agricultural Trade 
Agreement  deepening  liberalisation  in  the  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  and  fishery 
sectors with Tunisia, which had been on hold since 2010, resumed in February 2012.  

Negotiations on liberalisation of trade in services and establishment are ongoing with Egypt, 
Israel, Morocco and Tunisia and preparations for negotiations with Jordan were concluded in 
2011. The EU made an effort to give new impetus to the process in 2011. Negotiations with 
Morocco  were  re-launched  at  political  level  in  June  following  a  meeting  between  the  EU 
Commissioner  for  Trade  and  the  Moroccan  Minister  for  External  Trade.  Three  negotiating 
rounds took place in 2011. 

Foreign investment 

Security of investment is essential for attracting investors to the region. The EU has actively 
contributed  to  the  working  group  on    Investment  Security  in  the  Mediterranean  Region 
(ISMED),  bringing  together  participants  from  the  Commission,  the  EIB,  the  Multilateral 

10 

 
Investment  Guarantee  Agency  (MIGA),  the  Organisation  for  Economic  Co-operation  and 
Development  (OECD)  and  the  Union  for  the  Mediterranean  (UfM).  The  EU  has  decided  to 
support two of the recommendations made in the final report. 

First,  the  Commission  will  support  the  'ISMED  Support  Working  Programme',  a  pilot 
initiative of 18 month permitting to assess the institutional and sectoral investment framework 
of countries wishing to put into motion given infrastructure projects. Second, the Commission 
will finance the 'ISMED NIF cost sharing mechanism' which aims at lowering insurance and 
guarantee premium costs.   

In order to implement the Deauville Partnership, during the G8 Finance Ministers Meeting 
in  Marseille  in  September,  ten  international  financial  institutions4  agreed  to  set-up  a  new 
coordination platform and pledged of USD 38 billion for 2011-2013 (equivalent to EUR 29.5 
billion) to support reform in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia This is in addition to the resources 
available already from the IMF (approximately USD 35 billion equivalent to EUR 27 billion).  

2.2.3 Expected achievements by end 2013 

General 

•  New  generation  Action  Plans  will  include  substantial  elements  on  improving  investment 

climate and regulatory convergence with EU acquis. 

Trade 

•  Progress will have been made in DCFTA negotiations with Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. 
DCFTA negotiations may have been launched with Egypt and other interested partners. 

•  Progress  made  in  DCFTA  negotiations  at  bilateral  level  would  enable  to  draw  lessons  at 
regional  level,  notably  on  the  removal  of  non-tariff  barriers  and  liberalisation  of  trade  in 
services. This could also provide for a new push for south-south trade integration in light 
of  EU  support  to  the  Agadir  Agreement  and,  possibly  renewed  Maghreb  economic 
integration. 

•  Negotiations  on  trade  in  services  and  in  investments  will  be  completed  with  Morocco  in 

2012 and finalised or advanced with Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Tunisia.  

•  Negotiations  on  an  Agreement  on  conformity  assessment  and  acceptance  of  industrial 
products  (ACAA)  will  have  been  launched  for  certain  products  with  Tunisia  and 
preparations will be well advanced with Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and , 
the Palestinian Authority.  

•  Agreements  on  agricultural  and  fisheries  products  with  Morocco  and  oPt  will  be 
implemented and negotiations on a similar agreement with Tunisia will be well advanced. 

4  The  Arab  Fund  for  Economic  and  Social  Development  (AFESD),  the  Arab  Monetary  Fund  (AMF),  the 
European  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development  (EBRD),  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB),  the 
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Islamic Development Bank 
(IsDB), the World Bank, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the African Development 
Bank (AfDB). 

11 

 
                                                 
Further  discussions  on  trade  in  agricultural  and  fisheries  products  with  the  Southern 
Mediterranean partners could take place in the framework of the DCFTA negotiations. 

•  The  regional  Convention  on  Pan-Euro-Mediterranean  preferential  rules  of  origin  will  be 
signed and ratified by a majority of Contacting Parties. Significant progress in negotiations 
towards  the  final  compromise  on  the  revision  of  pan-Euro-Mediterranean  rules  of  origin 
will be achieved.  

Job Creation 

•  The implementation of a framework of actions on employment, employability and decent 
work will be discussed and further developed by the Minsters at Euro-Mediterranean level 
(a Ministerial Conference on Employment and Labour could take place in coming months). 
Euro-Mediterranean  trade  unions  and  employers  organisations  will  contribute  to  the 
process through the Euro-Mediterranean Social Dialogue Forum (the next meeting of the 
Forum is foreseen for 2012).  

•  A  Mediterranean  Initiative  for  Jobs  under  the  aegis  of  the  Union  for  the  Mediterranean, 

will be launched in 2013. 

SME Development and investment promotion 

•  The business climate will become more conducive to SME development. 

•  At  regional  level,  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Trade  and  Investment  Facilitation  mechanism 

will provide economic operators with information and enhancing transparency.  

•  Increased  lending  capacity  for  EIB,  EBRD  and  other  European  Finance  institutions  will 

allow SMEs to further develop and create new jobs.    

•  The Commission will have prepared a new proposal granting EU guarantee to the EIB for 
projects  outside  the  Union  over  the  period  of  2014  –  2020,  which  would  provide  further 
support  to  address  the  needs  of  the  Southern  Mediterranean  partners  in  their  democratic 
transition process.  

•  EBRD  will  have  extended  its  mandate  to  Egypt,  Jordan,  Morocco  and  Tunisia  (possibly 
followed by other partners). EBRD lending activity in the region would have come close to 
EUR 2.5 billion. 

•  An “Investment Security Scheme for the Mediterranean” (ISMED) aimed at enhancing the 

investment environment in the region will have been implemented.  

•  The  first  assessments  by  OECD  of  the  institutional  and  sector  investment  framework  in 
relation with several infrastructure projects in the region will be delivered within the frame 
of the joint Commission-OECD ISMED Support Programme. 

•  A  2013-2014  work  programme  on  Euro-Mediterranean  industrial  cooperation  will  have 
been adopted, possibly by holding Regional Ministerial Meetings on Industry and Tourism.  

•  The  implementation  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Charter  for  Enterprise  will  be  stimulated 
by continued work at technical level. The Charter will be gradually changed into a Small 
Business Act to promote SMEs development.  

12 

 
•  South Mediterranean partners will be invited to participate in EU networks and activities 
relating  to  innovation,  SME,  sustainable  development,  and  key  sectors  such  as  tourism, 
textiles and clothing.  

2.2.4 EU support 

Planned interventions for the period 2012-13 in this area include: 

•  A  new  EU  funded  regional  intervention  pursuing  the  objective  set  by  the  joint 
Communications for the EU to support the promotion of small and medium enterprises will 
be launched by mid-2013.  

•  Specific  support  will  be  provided  at  country  (Egypt,  Tunisia)  and  regional  level  to  help 
partners in the establishment of comprehensive employment strategies, fostering vocational 
education and training, or supporting women’s economic and social empowerment.  

•  Cooperation  at  regional  level  with  the  aim  at  networking  of  experts,  for  example  among 

public employment services will be initiated.  

•  Industrial  cooperation  at  the  regional  level  will  be  further  developed  and  supported  by 

bilateral projects at country level   in response to each country’s specific needs. 

2.3     MOBILITY 

2.3.1 Objective  

Opening  Comprehensive  Dialogues  leading  to  Mobility  Partnerships  aimed  at  strengthening 
cooperation  on  migration  and  mobility  in  a  secure  environment,  reinforcing  local  Schengen 
cooperation, and making full use of the possibilities offered by the EU Visa Code. 

2.3.2 Implementation so far  

A  dialogue  on  migration,  mobility  and  security  was  offered  to  the  Southern  Mediterranean 
countries, with a priority being given to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia (and potentially Jordan 
and Libya once the situation allows).  

These  dialogues  should  lead  towards  the  conclusion  of  a  mobility  partnership  with  each 
country  so  as  to  develop  a  tailor-made,  comprehensive  and  balanced  cooperation  in  the 
managing regular and irregular migration, readmission, visas, international protection, borders 
and  security  matters.  Dialogues  with  Morocco  and  Tunisia  were  launched  in  October  2011. 
Egypt  indicated  in  September  that  for  the  time  being  -  it  was  declining  the  offer.  Jordan 
indicated its strong interest for initiating a dialogue on migration, mobility and security with 
the EU. 

After some delays due to the political transition following the constitutional elections, Tunisia 
outlined  its  priorities  for  the  partnership  in  January  2012  and  an  additional  round  of  talks 
under the dialogue took place in March 2012. An information seminar for civil servants and a 
meeting with representatives of civil society were held in Morocco in December 2011. 

Meanwhile, on the basis of existing EU legislation, it has been possible to improve the legal 
certainty  and  transparency  of  procedures  for  the  mobility  of  the  citizens  of  Southern 
Mediterranean countries. Since April 2011, on the basis of the Visa Code, Schengen States are 

13 

 
 
 
obliged to inform applicants in writing why their visa applications have been refused and to 
establish procedures whereby applicants can appeal against such refusals.   

Progress  has  also  been  made  in  cooperation  between  Schengen  States  and  some  third 
countries notably on progressively harmonising the lists of supporting documents needed for 
Schengen visa applications to ensure that visa applicants are given equal treatment. Tangible 
results have been achieved in Egypt, where such a harmonised list now exists. Similar efforts 
are under way in the other countries.  

2.3.3 Expected achievements by end 2013 

•  Mobility Partnerships will have been agreed with Morocco and Tunisia in 2012.  

•  Dialogues will have been launched with other countries of the region, such as Algeria, 

Egypt, Jordan or Libya.  

•  The  possibilities  offered  under  the  EU  Visa  Code  (such  as  the  issuance  of  multiple-
entry visas and fee waived for certain categories) would have been exploited leading 
to  easier  mobility  for  business  people,  representatives  of  civil  society  organisations, 
students and youth. 

2.3.4 EU support 

•  At  regional  level,  a  new  project,  EUROMED  Migration  III  with  budget  of  EUR  5 
million,  aiming  at  the  promotion  of  legal  migration  channels  and  workers'  mobility, 
has been launched in early 2012. 

2.4    SECTOR COOPERATION   

2.4.1 Objective  

Stimulate sector cooperation putting particular emphasis on: 

• 

• 

• 

the  alignment  in  the  transport,  energy  and  environment  sectors  as  well  as  the 
development  of  a  Common  Knowledge  and  Innovation  Space  and  enhancing 
cooperation on information and communication technologies;  

the  increase  in  student  and  academic  staff  mobility  through  participation  in  EU 
education programmes;  

joining  efforts  on  climate  change  and  environment  and  the  gradual  development 
towards an EU – Southern Mediterranean Energy Community;  

•  an enhanced transport cooperation;  

• 

• 

the launch of an Agricultural Development Support Programme; 

fostering  people-to-people  contacts,  increasing  learning  mobility  supporting  the 
education and training sector in partner countries; 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
•  progressive participation in EU programmes and agencies open to third countries. 

2.4.2 Implementation so far 

Participation of partner countries in EU programmes and agencies  

Partner  countries  were  invited  to  express  their  priorities  and  interests  in  taking  part  in  the 
work  of  EU  agencies  and  programmes.  On  this  basis,  a  first  indicative  list  of  priority  EU 
programmes  open  to  partners’  participation  was  established.  Following  Protocols  enabling 
such  participation  in  the  EU  programmes  previously  signed  with  Israel  and  Morocco, 
negotiations  for  a  Protocol  with  Jordan  were  also  launched.  Co-operation  between  EU 
agencies and some Mediterranean countries continued, notably in the area of aviation safety 
and  food  safety.  The  EU  is  preparing  an  assistance  project  to  support  preparatory  measures 
that  will  facilitate  and  stimulate  cooperation  between  EU  agencies  and  Mediterranean 
countries.  Possible  co-funding  of  participation  in  EU  programmes  can  be  granted  under  the 
national allocations of the ENPI.  

Common  Knowledge  and  Innovation  Space,  Information  and  Communication  Technology, 
Culture and Youth 

In  the  field  of  higher  education,  an  additional  budgetary  allocation  was  made  available  in 
2011.  This  allowed  the  financing  of  743  additional  Erasmus  Mundus  mobility  grants  for 
academic exchanges (students and academics) with Southern Mediterranean countries5 for the 
2011/12 academic year.  

In school education, the Commission plans to extend the eTwinning programme to include 
schools  in  Egypt  and  Tunisia.  This  programme  allows  schools  to  work  on  joint  projects  via 
the Internet and has a strong professional development component  for teachers. A technical 
meeting with Egyptian and Tunisian national education authorities took place in Brussels at 
the end of 2011. Negotiations on implementing the pilot phase are ongoing. 

In relation to youth, financing for the current Phase IV of the EUROMED Youth programme 
has been more than doubled by an additional contribution of EUR 6 million. The Commission 
in  cooperation  with  the  CoE  also  seeks  to  support  the  capacity  building  for  youth 
organisations  in  Southern  Mediterranean  countries.  In  July  2012,  the  Commission  plans  to 
launch  a  policy  dialogue  on  higher  education  and  youth  policies  with  government  officials, 
universities, youth organisations and civil society from South Mediterranean countries. 

In  the  field  of  vocational  education  and  training,  an  additional  budget  allocation  for  the 
activities  of  the  European  training  Foundation  in  the  Southern  Mediterranean  region  will 
allow the ETF to expand its work programme in 2012 and 2013. 

The  EU  aims  to  develop  a  "Common  Knowledge  and  Innovation  Space"  with 
the Mediterranean  partner  countries. This  concept  brings  together  policy  dialogue,  national 
and regional capacity-building, cooperation in research and innovation and increased mobility 
opportunities  for  students,  researchers  and  academics.  It  means  closer  cooperation  on 
research, better coordination and stronger networking and will require increased efforts from 
all  partner  countries  in  building  research  capacity  and  increasing  collaboration  with  EU 
researchers and research organisations. An important step  towards  reaching this objective is 

5 559 people from South Mediterranean countries + 184 from EU countries 

15 

 
 
 
                                                 
the current active participation of partner countries in the EU 7th Framework Programme for 
Research  and  Technological  Development  (FP  7).  FP  7  is  fully  open  for  participation  of 
researchers and research organisations in the partner countries. However increased efforts are 
needed in all partner countries to promote actively the opportunities available to their research 
communities. Specific support in this regard has been provided through the FP 7 International 
Cooperation programme, which has offered opportunities to build research capacities and to 
promote Science and Technology relations and the coordination of national research activities 
and the international cooperation activities of the EU member states with the region. Current 
coordination 
projects 
Action (MIRA), and  several  European  Research  Area  wide  (ERAWIDE)  projects.  In  early 
2012,  the  EU  and  Algeria  signed  an  agreement  on  cooperation  in  the  field  of  scientific 
research and technology. 

the  Mediterranean 

and  Research 

Innovation 

include: 

The  Arab  Spring  was  made  possible,  notably  by  the  use  of  electronic  communications 
technologies.  Ensuring  the  security,  stability  and  resilience  of  the  Internet  and  of  other 
electronic  communication  technologies  is  a  fundamental  building  block  in  modern 
democracy.  During  the  Arab  Spring,  it  was  clear  that  Information  and  Communications 
Technology  (ICT),  and  in  particular  social  networks,  was  a  vital  tool  enabling  people  to 
organise  action,  mobilises  support  and  exercise  their  rights.  Although  some  significant 
regulatory reforms have been undertaken, the regulatory environment in many of the southern 
Mediterranean  countries  is  not  yet  sufficiently  developed  to  exploit  the  full  growth  and 
productivity potential of ICT.  

EU cooperation on ICT with Mediterranean countries has been built on three pillars. The first 
pillar  includes  action  to  improve  the  regulatory  environment.  This  involves  bilateral 
dialogues, technical assistance, twinning between regulators and coordination via the regional 
network of regulators (EMERG) which held a series of meetings in 2011. Under the second 
pillar,  the  EU  supports  action  to  strengthen  the  region’s  e-infrastructure  and  to  improve  the 
connectivity of its high-speed networks for research and education and their links to GÉANT. 
As  a  part  of  this  effort,  a  third  phase  of  the  EUMEDCONNECT  network  was  launched  in 
2011.  In  addition,  several  EU  projects  aim  to  improve  coordination  and  interoperation 
between  the  e-Infrastructures  in  Europe  and  in  the  Southern  Mediterranean.  These  projects 
include  EUMED  Grid  Support  and 
the  CHAIN  project  for  connecting  Southern 
Mediterranean  countries  to  the  European  Grid.  Under  the  third  pillar,  the  EU  supports  and 
promotes  the  active  and  democratic  use  of  ICT  and  the  Internet  (content  services,  safer 
internet, digital heritage, no disconnection, free media, etc).  

On 12 December 2011, the Commission announced the "No Disconnect Strategy", designed 
to support the role of ICT in ensuring fundamental rights. The Strategy has four main strands: 
(i) it supports the development of technological tools that would shield people living in non-
democratic  regimes  from  surveillance  and  help  them  bypass  restrictions  to  their  freedom  to 
communicate;  (ii)  it  seeks  to  educate  activists  and  to  promote  awareness  of  the  potential 
benefits  but  also  risks  of  using  ICT;  (iii)  it  aims  to  provide  high  quality  intelligence  on  the 
developments  of  Internet  freedom  in  non-democratic  regimes;  (iv)  it  aims  to  strengthen 
cooperation between all players actors in the field. To implement the Strategy, the EU will: (i) 
make  "Internet  survival  packs"  available  to  activists.  These  are  easy-to-use  packages  which 
help people to bypass censorship and to counter surveillance; (ii) encourage EU companies to 
regulate  their  own  behaviour  so  that  the  EU  stops  selling  ICT  tools  of  repression  to 
authoritarian  regimes;  (iii)  provide  hosting  support  to  help  prohibited  content  reach  its 
audience – via blogs and videos for example. 

16 

 
Energy and transport 

The EU and Mediterranean partners intensified bilateral and regional cooperation, notably in 
support  to  the  Mediterranean  Solar  Plan.  The  EU  continued  exploring  the  possibility  to 
establish energy partnerships as a first step towards regional electricity and renewable energy 
market  integration,  with  the  long-term  perspective  of  establishing  an  EU-Southern 
Mediterranean Energy Community.  

In addition to regular bilateral dialogues with Mediterranean partners, particularly in energy 
subcommittees, the EU and Algeria strengthened their dialogue through a high level meeting 
on  renewable  energy  and  energy  efficiency  (December  2011)  and  Algeria’s  ad-hoc 
participation to the EU’s Gas supply group (June 2011). Common EU-Mediterranean energy 
security was enhanced through the completion of MEDGAZ gas pipeline between Spain and 
Algeria.  Other  ongoing  and  planned  network  projects,  including  a  new  future  Tunisia-Italy 
electricity  interconnection,  as  well  as  recent  gas  discoveries  offshore  in  Israel,  have  a 
potential to strengthen EU-Mediterranean energy security.   

Complementing bilateral energy projects, several regional projects are underway that support 
Mediterranean  partners  to  enhance  common  energy  security  including  through  network 
development; to advance market integration and reinforce regulators, and to increase energy 
efficiency  and  the  use  of  renewable  energy.  These  include:  paving  the  way  for  the 
Mediterranean Solar Plan (EUR  4.5 million), support to the Mediterranean Energy Regulators 
Association  (EUR  1.1 million);  support  for  the  Enhanced  Integration  and  the  Improved 
Security  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Energy  Market  (EUR  4.3   million);    and    Energy 
Efficiency in the Construction Sector (EUR  5  million). 

Partner  countries  continued  to  participate  very  actively  in  the  various  regional  transport 
programmes and thematic working groups (SAFEMED, MEDAMoS, EUROMED Aviation); 
they  also  stayed  involved  in  the  establishment  of  the  future  Trans-Mediterranean  Transport 
Network.  The  Euro-Mediterranean  Transport  Working  Groups  met  regularly  and  agreed  on 
further  steps  to  implement both  the  regulatory  reform  and related  actions  of  the Regional 
Transport Action Plan for the Mediterranean for the period 2007-2013 in respect of transport 
network planning. On aviation, discussions have been re-launched with Lebanon and Tunisia 
for comprehensive Aviation Agreements and a Mediterranean Aviation Safety Cell has been 
set at the European Aviation Safety Agency for those partners willing to fully adhere to the 
EU  safety  acquis.  The  Commission  has  proposed  to  extend  the  mandate  of  the  European 
Maritime  Safety  Agency  to  provide  assistance  to  the  neighbouring  countries.  Partners 
confirmed their commitment to SAFEMED II, a regional programme for maritime safety and 
security, prevention of pollution from ships and marine environment. Discussions are ongoing 
to  obtain  EIB support  for  the  railway project  in  Tunisia  and  the  railway  project  in  Jordan 
identified at the recent G20 Cannes meeting.  

Regarding maritime policy, the EU is developing four initiatives with Mediterranean partners 
focusing  on  awareness,  capacity  building  and  operational  cooperation.  In  2011,  the  EU 
implemented a technical assistance project on Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) with Algeria, 
Egypt,  Israel,  Jordan,  Lebanon  Morocco,  oPt,  Syria  (latter  suspended)  and  Tunisia,  ,  ,  ,  to 
help them build their capacity to articulate integrated approaches towards maritime affairs. In 
addition, the EU launched together with the EIB and the International Maritime Organisation 
a tripartite initiative on innovative mechanisms for private investments in the maritime sectors 
of ENP partners, as well as on maritime training, working conditions, safety and surveillance. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the General Fisheries Commission for 
the  Mediterranean  (GFCM)  are  looking  at  ways  to  improve  capacity  for  fisheries  control 
though trainings possibly complemented with joint control and inspection activities. Southern 
Mediterranean partners have also continued their active participation in the related thematic 
Working Group on Integrated Maritime Policy in the Mediterranean. 

Environment and Climate Change 

In the area of environment, the EU supported financially the implementation of the Horizon 
2020 initiative on the de-pollution of the Mediterranean Sea (also a key initiative of the UfM). 
This  included  cooperation  and  financial  assistance  to  Mediterranean  partners  on  the 
development  of  a  Shared  Environmental  Information  System  (SEIS),  aiming  at  improving 
collection and management of environmental data and indicators as well as capacity building 
and identification of and addressing pollution hotspots. EU-funded cooperation also continued 
with  Mediterranean  partners  on  sustainable  water  management  and  identification  and 
management of marine protected areas. 

The  EU  committed  EUR  8  million  to  strengthen  the  capacity  of  Mediterranean  partner 
countries in mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects, and to strengthen mutual 
cooperation  and  dialogue.  Mediterranean  partners  are  encouraged  to  build  capacity 
and engage  in  the  new  carbon  market  mechanism  to  be  developed  following  the  17th 
Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change  (UNFCCC).  Mediterranean  partners  are  also  encouraged  to  fully  implement  the 
Cancun  and  Durban  agreements  and  in  particular  devise  low-carbon  development  strategies 
including update information on targets or actions that they will implement. 

Regional Development, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries  

The EU intends to help the partner countries by supporting their inclusive growth, including 
through launching of initial programmes to support agricultural and rural development. 

In the framework of the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, addressing repeated 
requests  to  assist  partners’  rural  economies,  the  Commission  proposed  a  new  initiative:  the 
European  Neighbourhood  Programme  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development 
(ENPARD). 

ENPARD  is  building  upon  the  EU  best  practice  in  developing  rural  areas.  It  combines 
investment support and strengthening of local organisational and administrative capacities so 
as to trigger sustainable development of local agriculture. Its main objectives are three-fold: 

• 

• 

• 

to  improve  rural  livelihoods  by  facilitating  economic  growth  and  distribution, 
employment opportunities for the youth and sustainable development of rural areas; 

to  increase  productivity  of  the  farming,  herding  and  processing  sectors,  while  also 
contributing to raising quality standards (so to enhance availability of quality food in 
the local markets as well as EU-export opportunities); 

to  develop  organisational  and  institutional  capacities  in  the  ENP  countries  and  to 
improve adherence to the principles of good governance. 

The objectives of ENPARD are to be achieved through the implementation of national multi-
annual  programmes  including  countries  rural  development  and  agricultural  policy  priorities 

18 

 
 
and  the  related  EU  support.    The  process  includes  close  policy  dialogue  on  agriculture, 
veterinary surveillance and rural development. 

The  programme  was  launched  in  January  2012  with  expertise  and  research  capacities  made 
available to partner countries. The programme will initially focus on Egypt, Jordan, Morocco 
and Tunisia.. 

The EU will also support efforts for the sustainable management of fisheries resources.  

Civil protection 

The  Prevention,  Preparedness  and  Response  to  natural  and  man-made  Disasters  project 
(PPRD-South  -  a  UfM  Flagship  Initiative)  develops  and  reinforces  the  capacity  of 
participating  countries  for  disaster  prevention,  preparedness  and  response  at  local,  national 
and  regional  level,  and  promotes  cooperation  with  the  EU  and  among  UfM  countries.  The 
first  phase  of  the  project  (EUR  5  million),  is  nearing  the  end  of  its  implementation.  It  has 
allowed, inter alia to review existing resources and available mechanisms in the UfM and to 
prepare a regional Risk Atlas. 

2.4.3 Expected achievements by end 2013 

•  New generation Actions Plans that will have been agreed with partner countries will 

include substantial elements on sector cooperation. 

•  The  EU  will  sign  framework  Protocols  for  participation  in  EU  programmes  and 
agencies based on mutual agreement. Partners will negotiate MoUs for participation in 
selected  EU  programmes  open  to  ENP  partners.  Partners’  cooperation  with  the  EU 
agencies  will  increase,  including  in  some  cases  on  the  basis  of  bilateral  agreements. 
The  EU  will  have  financially  supported  preparatory  action  to  facilitate  cooperation 
with EU agencies and will be prepared to provide co-funding for participation in EU 
programmes and agencies. 

• 

In the area of Regional Policy the possibility of launching pilot programmes inspired 
by  the  EU  cohesion  policy  to  promote  economic,  social  and  territorial  cohesion 
(drawing  inter  alia  on  the  pilot  regional  development  programmes  under  the  Eastern 
Partnership) will be explored with partners. Co-operation in this area will be pursued 
in the first instance with Morocco and Tunisia, but is open to all partners determinedly 
embarking  on  political  reforms  who  are  interested  in  exploring  how  disparities 
between rich and poor can be narrowed, and multilevel governance can be promoted. 

•  Regarding the transport sector, reforms will have ensured grater approximation to EU 
transport  standards.  Comprehensive  Aviation  Agreements  will  have  been  concluded 
with  most  of  the  countries  and  implementation  followed  up.  Maritime  safety  and 
security will have improved through policy reform and flags would have improved in 
terms  of  the  Paris  Memorandum  on  Port  State  Control.  Partner  countries  could 
demonstrate  improved  track  record  in  road  safety.  Transport  links  with  the  EU  will 
have  improved  through  better  planning  of  networks  and  works  on  priority 
infrastructure  projects  that  help  to  connect  the  partner  countries  with  the  Trans-
European  transport  network.  The  strong  ongoing  regional  transport  cooperation  will 
have led to the implementation of both the regulatory reform and related actions of the 
Regional  Transport  Action  Plan  (RTAP)  for  the  Mediterranean  for  the  period  2007-
2013,  also  in  respect  of  transport  network  planning.  A  second  Euro-Mediterranean 

19 

 
 
 
Ministerial transport  meeting  could  be  organised  to    endorse  achievements  in 
cooperation and set out policy guidelines for further work.     

•  As regards maritime policy in particular a regional Automatic Identification System 
(AIS)  of  data  will  have  been  set  up  and  the  Mediterranean  partner  countries  will 
participate  in  the  CleanSeaNet  satellite  service  to  better  respond  to  discharges  from 
ships and locate and identify polluters in the waters. 

•  The EU-Mediterranean energy partnership will have been increased through bilateral 

and multilateral cooperation.  

•  Bilateral  energy  policy  cooperation  and  dialogue  will  have  been  enhanced  on  the 
basis of EU standards. The EU and Egypt will have progressed in the implementation 
of  their  energy  partnership,  while  such  a  partnership  will  have  been  agreed  with 
Algeria. Preparation of market reform including the establishment or strengthening of 
regulators  will  have  advanced.  Energy  network  projects,  such  as  the  Tunisia-Italy 
electricity  link  or  the  Algeria-Italy  gas  interconnection,  will  have  been  further 
developed.  Partners  would  have  enhanced  energy  efficiency  and  renewable  energy 
policies  including  with  EU  funded  projects  (Egypt,  Jordan,  Lebanon,  Morocco  and 
Tunisia). 

•  Regional energy policy cooperation will have been strengthened following an UfM 
energy  ministerial  planned  for  2013.  Work  towards  an  EU-Mediterranean  renewable 
energies  partnership  and  the  Mediterranean  Solar  Plan  (MSP)  will  have  progressed 
including  through  the  adoption,  at  the  UfM  ministerial,  of  a  regional  renewable 
energies  master  plan  covering  the  period  until  2020.  Renewable  (pilot)  projects  will 
have  advanced  with  EU  and  IFI  support.  Regulatory  cooperation  would  have  been 
strengthened (MEDREG) and complemented by the launch, in 2012, of a cooperation 
structure  of  electricity  transmission  system  operators  (MED  TSO).  The  EU  and  its 
partners will have identified in 2013 steps to establish in the longer term (2015-2020) 
a  possible  EU-Southern  Mediterranean  Energy  Community.  Several  cities  would  be 
preparing  sustainability  plans  aiming,  inter  alia,  to  increasing  energy  efficiency.  EU 
funded  regional  energy  projects  will  have  supported  these  processes  by  focusing  on 
market integration, the strengthening of regulators, enhanced use of renewable energy 
including the MSP; and energy efficiency. 

•  Concerning  environment,  partners  will  have  made  further  efforts  to  strengthen 
environmental  governance,  including  administrative  capacity.  Partners  will  have 
advanced  in  the  setting  up  of  a  comprehensive  system  for  environmental  data 
collection as a result of the EU-funded SEIS project. Partners will have made progress 
on  sustainable  integrated  water  resource  management,  following  the  EU-funded 
“SWIM”  regional  project  and  its  demonstration  projects,  which  will  be  under 
implementation.  Further  steps  will  also  have  been  taken  on  de-pollution  of  the 
Mediterranean  Sea  with  further  EU  support  for  the  Horizon  2020  Initiative  and  on 
marine protected areas under the biodiversity component of the UNEP/GEF sponsored 
MedPartnership.  Countries  will  have  geared  up  collaboration  on  sustainable 
consumption and production, through a project planned to be launched by the EU. 

•  As regards climate change, the regional EU-funded project on climate action will be 
under  implementation.  The  partners  will  have  taken  steps  to  strengthen  capacity  to 
identify  and  formulate  climate  change  policies  and  strategies  and  the  use  of 
through  sharing 
monitoring 

tools  and  market-based  mechanisms, 

including 

20 

 
information and best practices on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Regional 
exchanges  and  cooperation  towards  low  emission  development,  climate  resiliencies 
and improvement of climate related decision making will have increased. 

•  Regarding  the  information  society,  the  Mediterranean  partner  countries  will  have 
been  successful  in  their  efforts  for  approximation  to  the  EU  regulatory  framework 
covering in particular electronic communications and Information and Communication 
Technology (ICT) priorities of the Digital Agenda for Europe. An increased political 
dialogue with the regulators of the Mediterranean partner countries will have led to a 
better  understanding  of  various  complex  regulatory  issues  in  the  area  of  electronic 
communications  and  information  society.  The  implementation  of  the  EU’s  “No 
Disconnect  Strategy”  will  have  assisted  civil  society  organisations  and  individual 
citizens  in  circumventing  arbitrary  disruptions  of  the  Internet  and  other  electronic 
communications technologies. By the end of 2013 the security, stability and resilience 
of  the  Internet  will  have  been  augmented  and  the  use  of  modern  technical  tools  and 
Social Media platforms in the Mediterranean partner countries will be amplified. 

their 

increased 

•  The  development  of  a  “Common  Knowledge  and  Innovation  Space”  with  the 
Mediterranean partner countries will have had concrete results. Mediterranean partner 
intensified 
countries  will  have 
collaboration with the EU researchers and research organisations the participation rate 
of  the  Mediterranean  partner  countries  in  the  FP  7  will  have  increased  substantially. 
The  network  of  FP  7  National  Contact  Points  will  have  been  strengthened 
considerably.  A  number  of  Mediterranean  partner  countries  will  have  started 
negotiations  on  Memoranda  of  Understanding  for  their  association  to  the  follow-up 
programme to the FP 7. Research mobility will have noticeably increased, in particular 
under the Marie Curie scheme. 

research  capacity.  Through 

2.4.4 EU support 

•  Funding for Erasmus Mundus mobility grants for academic exchange (students and 
academics)  with  Southern  Mediterranean  countries  will  be  further  increased  in  2012 
and  2013.  The  Commission  intends  to  allocate  EUR  80  million  in  addition  to  what 
was  originally  planned  for  partner  countries.  For  20126,  the  global  amount  for 
Southern  Mediterranean  countries  will  reach  EUR  38.4  million  under  Erasmus 
Mundus Action 2 which funds short term mobility. In addition, new opportunities will 
be given to Egyptian and Tunisian students to attend joint programmes (masters and 
doctorates under Erasmus Mundus Action 1) due to a specific additional allocation of 
EUR 10 million. This possibility will be extended to students from other countries of 
the region in 2013. 
In  parallel,  funding  for  the  Tempus  programme,  which  aims  at  supporting  the 
modernisation  of  higher  education  structures  and  expands  collaboration  with  EU 
universities, will be increased by EUR 12.5 million in 2012 and 2013. 

• 

•  The  eTwinning  programme  will  be  extended  to  secondary  schools  in  Egypt  and 
Tunisia. Based on the results of this pilot exercise, inclusion of additional countries of 
the region in the project will be considered. 

6 Call for proposals published on 30 December 2011  

21 

 
 
 
                                                 
•  The  EU  will  put  increasing  emphasis  on  Vocational  Education  and  Training, 
notably through capacity building of national and regional authorities in this field. An 
additional  budget  of  EUR  2  million  for  2012  and  2013  will  be  allocated  to  the 
European Training Foundation to develop its activities in the region. As of 2012, the 
European Training Foundation (ETF) will also help Libya to formulate a programme 
for vocational education and training. Possibilities for the mobility of trainees should 
be contemplated. 
In  summer  2012,  the  Commission  plans  to  launch  a  policy  dialogue  on  higher 
education  and  youth  policies  with  ministerial  counterparts,  universities,  youth 
organisations and civil society from southern Mediterranean countries. 

• 

•  A  new  regional  programme  for  the  development  of  culture  in  the  Mediterranean 

• 

• 

• 

region should foster capacity of cultural operators in the region. 
In the areas of statistics, the Commission will support the creation of Forum of ENP-
South  statisticians,  to  promote  the  production  and  dissemination  of  high  quality 
statistics covering key socio-economic areas, which are compatible with EU standards 
and  methodologies;  and  to  promote  the  use  of  statistics  for  evidence-based  decision 
making, a key component of good governance. 
In the area of agriculture and rural development, the EU will be engaging in close 
policy dialogues with the ENP partners in the framework of ENPARD. The dialogues 
aim at promoting long-term agricultural and rural development strategies developed in 
close  cooperation  with  all  relevant  stakeholders.  As  a  result  of  the  studies  and  pilot 
project carried under ENPARD, a fully fledged EU support in that area will be under 
implementation.  
In  the  area  of  fisheries,  the  EU  is  also  willing  to  promote  cooperation  on  the 
conservation and sustainable use of resources, and combating illegal, unreported and 
unregulated fishing. The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the General 
Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) are looking at ways to improve 
capacity  for  fisheries  control  through  trainings,  possibly  complemented  with  joint 
control and inspection activities 

•  A second phase of the PPRD-South is already envisaged for 2013 with the budget of 

EUR 5 million. 

3. 

REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS  

Regional challenges call for regional answers. The Arab Spring has highlighted the political, 
economic and social challenges that can only be dealt effectively at regional level. Resolving 
political crises such as that in Syria, or addressing security issues such as the proliferation of 
weapons  and  terrorism  can  only  be  done  through  regional  partners  acting  together.  The 
pressing  challenge  of  creating  millions  of  jobs  for  youth  in  the  South  requires  increased 
economic  integration  among  Southern  partners  and  with  the  EU.  As  regional  organisations 
redefine  their  roles  and  initiatives,  the  EU  has  signalled  its  readiness  to  support  them  and 
develop a more structured dialogue and cooperation. 

3.1 Objectives 

• 

• 

Make  the  Union  for  the  Mediterranean  an  effective  instrument  promoting  policy 
dialogue and sector co-operation at regional level.  

Promote  sub  regional  co-operation,  in  particular  in  the  Maghreb,  involving  the  EU 
and the relevant partner countries on issues of common concerns. 

22 

 
• 

Develop  a  structured  dialogue  between  the  EU  and  other  relevant  regional 
organisations (in particular the Arab League). 

3.2 Implementation so far 

Union for the Mediterranean 

The  Union  for  the  Mediterranean  (UfM)  has  a  special  role  to  play  as  a  unique  forum  of 
dialogue  among  43  Euromed  partners  that  complements  the  bilateral  relations  between  EU 
and  its  Southern  neighbours.  The  regional  projects  of  strategic  importance  identified  at  the 
Paris  Summit  remain  relevant  in  the  current  context,  notably  the  Mediterranean  Solar  Plan, 
the  de-pollution  of  the  Mediterranean,  the  development  of  Motorways  of  the  Sea  and  land 
highways, and the Mediterranean Business Development Initiative. The EU has increased its 
involvement and support at three levels:  

- It has stepped up its financial and technical support to the UfM secretariat to help it 
in its endeavour to become a catalyst for the development and financing of regional 
projects.  

- The UfM has endorsed eight projects for which it is actively looking for financing, 
notably  the  construction  of  a  desalination  plant  in  Gaza  and  the  completion  of  a 
Trans-Maghreb Motor highway. 

- In March 2012, the Council has transferred the UfM Northern Co-Presidency to the 
EU. The EU has pursued the organisation of regular high-level working groups and 
developed regional programmes in a wide range of sectors as detailed in Section 2. 

Sub-regional co-operation in the Maghreb  

The  EU  stands  ready  to  support  efforts  to  reinvigorate  the  Arab  Maghreb  Union  (AMU), 
while recognising that impetus for this lies with AMU Member States themselves. There have 
been encouraging signs, including the possibility of an AMU summit before the end of 2012. 
Partners of the 5+5 group intend to organise a summit in October and have developed their 
cooperation, including in security areas.  

The  EU  has  also  continued  to  support  the  implementation  of  the  Agadir  Agreement  and 
encouraged  Agadir  members  (Egypt,  Jordan,  Morocco  and  Tunisia)  to  extend  the 
geographical and substantive scope of the agreement. The EU will support these efforts that 
all go in the direction of strengthening trust and cooperation. 

Co-operation with the Arab league 

The EU has worked with the League of Arab States (LAS) and other regional organisations 
(Gulf  Cooperation  Council,  Organisation  of  Islamic  Conference),  inter  alia,  through  the 
“Cairo Group” on Libya. The EU has actively supported diplomatically the LAS initiative on 
Syria and the HR/VP and the SG of the Arab League have maintained regular contacts during 
the crisis. 

The  EU  has  also  provided  practical  support  by  helping  the  LAS  to  set  up  a  situation  room, 
similar  to  that  of  the  EU,  which  provided  immediate  operational  help  as  the  Arab  League 
deployed  its  monitoring  activities  in  Syria.  The  EU  and  the  LAS  have  identified  areas  for 
future  cooperation  in  the  political,  economic  and  social  fields,  and  have  outlined  how  to 

23 

 
develop  a  more  regular  and  structured  dialogue  through  regular  meetings  at  senior  officials 
and ministerial levels. 

3.3 Expected achievements by end 2013 

The  EU  will  have  further  developed  its  cooperation  with  regional  organisations  and 
initiatives: 

Union for the Mediterranean 

•  With the EU assuming the UfM Northern Co-presidency, a new impetus will be given 
to the sector dialogues and enhanced coherence between EU and UfM actions. With 
the support of UfM partners, several ministerial meetings will be organised, notably in 
areas  of  trade,  transport,  energy  and  industry,  as  detailed  in  section  2.  Meetings  at 
Senior  Official  level  will  develop  a  more  interactive  political  dialogue  and  provide 
effective guidance on project activities to the UfM Secretariat.  

•  The  EU  will  have  stepped  up  the  implementation  of  regional  projects,  including  the 
launching  of  new  phases  of  regional  programmes  covering  police,  justice,  migration 
and  civil  protection.  The  Anna  Lindh  Foundation  will  have  enlarged  its  networks  of 
NGOs  and  rolled  out  its  program  ‘Civil  Society  for  Dialogue’  targeting  youth  and 
women  and  widened  its  project  ‘Young  Arab  Voices’,  a  series  of  youth-led  debates 
across the Arab region. 

• 

The  UfM  Secretariat,  led  by  its  new  Secretary  General,  will  have  enhanced  its 
potential to organise effective and result-oriented regional cooperation and developed 
its  post  labelling  efforts  towards  the  promotion  and  financing  of  projects,  in 
particular  for  the  Gaza  desalination  plant  and  Trans-Maghreb  Motor  highway,  as 
well as quick-win projects for SME conducive to job creation. The Commission will 
have continued to support the UfM secretariat and strengthened its operational links 
with  it.  For  example,  UfM  participation  in  the  EuroMed  Transport  Forum  and  its 
various  Euro-Med  transport  working  groups  will  have  been  developed,  bearing  in 
mind  that  the  work  of  the  Infrastructure  Working  Group  and  the  Maritime  Affairs 
Working  group  is  of  particular  relevance  as  it  helps  identify  and  pre-formulate 
strategic  priority  terrestrial  transport  or  port  improvement  projects  which  could  be 
labelled  by  the  UFM.  The  EU  will  have  pursued  its  support  of  the  development  of 
the Mediterranean Solar plan by participating in the drafting groups and through its 
project  "Paving  the  Way  for  the  Mediterranean  Solar  Plan",  in  particular  its 
component  dedicated  to  regulatory  issues  which  will  feed  the  relevant  part  of  the 
UfM Master Plan. Regarding the “Horizon 2020 Initiative” which aims to de-pollute 
the Mediterranean Sea by the year 2020, the UfM would have made a contribution to 
the  evaluation  of  the  first  phase  of  the  programme  and  played  a  role  in  monitoring 
and reporting progress on infrastructure projects in the region. The Commission will 
have supported the implementation of key actions related to the "Draft Strategy for 
Water  in  the  Mediterranean"  via  the  SWIM  project.  Other  areas  of  close 
collaboration will have been developed such as Urban development (in particular in 
the  context  of  the  CIUDAD  project  –  Cooperation  in  Urban  Development  and 
Dialogue), SME development (with the UFM involved in the preparation of the new 
“InvestinMed” regional project), social issues in particular the promotion of women 
political  and  social  rights(with  the  preparation  of  EC  regional  project),  or  civil 
protection (with the preparation of a new Prevention, Preparedness and Response to 
natural and man-made Disasters (PPRD South) project. 

24 

 
Sub-regional co-operation with Maghreb countries 

•  The  High  Representative  and  the  Commission  intend  to  make  proposals  for 
strengthening  relations  between  the  EU  and  the  Maghreb  in  the  context  of  a  joint 
Communication to be prepared in coming months, provided that the Maghreb partner 
countries demonstrate clear signs of progress in their regional cooperation effort. 

• 

In the context of strengthening of cooperation among the Maghreb countries and the 
re-invigorating  of  the  Arab  Maghreb  Union,  the  EU  will  have  deepened  its 
cooperation  with  the  AMU.  It  will  have  explored  opportunities  to  support  greater 
Maghreb  integration  covering  key  sectors  such  as  energy,  people-to-people  contact, 
trade and transport and will have cooperated not only with government but with civil 
society and with business. It will also have identified synergies with the activities of 
the  5+5  group,  and  will  have  articulated  sub-regional  cooperation  with  wider 
EUROMED cooperation.  

Co-operation with the Arab League 

•  A  joint  Foreign  Ministers  meeting  between  the  22  Members  of  the  League  of  Arab 
States and the 27 Members of the EU to be organised in the autumn of 2012 will have 
given a new and visible impetus to LAS-EU cooperation. The EU will have developed 
a  more  structured  dialogue  with  the  LAS  and  started  concrete  cooperation,  for 
example in training of diplomats or election monitors.  

4. 

FUNDING 

Additional Funding   

Total  2011  ENPI  commitments  in  favour  of  Arab  Spring  countries  and  region  amounted  to 
EUR 1.4 billion of which EUR 130 million were additional funds made available after the 
Arab Spring events. 

This breakdown is as follows: 

Country allocations: 

EUR  70  million  for  Tunisia  (including  EUR  20  million  from 
SPRING) 

Regional Programmes: 

EUR 45 million for SPRING (other than Tunisia) 

ERASMUS MUNDUS: 

EUR 15 million of additional funds 

In addition to the ENPI, other funds should as well be mentioned: 

Thematic programmes: 
EUR  18.7  million  additional  funds  from  European  instrument 
for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and the Non State Actors Thematic Programme 
(Development co-operation instrument) for 2011-2012 (in favour of Egypt, Libya and Tunisia 
) and EUR 9.7 million in 2011 from the Instrument of Stability (in favour of Egypt, Libya and 
Tunisia). 

Humanitarian Aid: 

EUR 80.5 million 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The SPRING programme  

The  Support  to  Partnership,  Reform  and  Inclusive  Growth  (SPRING)  Programme,  is  an 
“umbrella” multi-country programme which aims to respond to the pressing socio-economic 
challenges  that  partner  countries  of  the  southern  Mediterranean  region  are  facing  and  to 
support them in their transition to democracy.  

Support provided through the SPRING will be tailored on a “more-for-more” basis to partner 
countries showing sustained commitment to, and progress in, democratic reforms. 

SPRING  programme  supports  activities  related 
the  EU 
communication i.e. democratic transformation and institution building, as well as sustainable 
and inclusive growth and economic development. 

two  priority  areas  of 

to 

It is i.a. envisaged to contribute to: 

•  Reduced poverty and social and economic disparities within these countries, trough an 

integrated policy approach geared at social inclusion. 

•  Reduced  levels  of  unemployment,  in  particular  youth,  through  a  comprehensive  and 
integrated  policy  mix  including  economic  and  financial,  employment  and  social,  as 
well as education policies. 

• 

Improved skills development in order to match labour market needs, notably through 
increased availability of good quality vocational education and training. 

•  Addressing the situation of young people who are neither in employment, education or 
training (NEET) with activities modelled on the “Youth guarantee”, aimed at ensuring 
that young people are in employment, education or (re)training within a few months of 
leaving school. 

The initial programme budget for the period 2011-12 is EUR 350 million.  The first EUR 20 
million  was  allocated  for  Tunisia  in  2011.  Of  these  funds,    EUR  10  million  were  used  to 
further  support  the  economic  recovery  support  programme  “Appui  à  la  Relance”  where  the 
use of labour supply (graduated as well as unskilled young) is improved and adapted to the 
labour market requirements.  

26