European Neighbourhood Policy
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EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL Vol. 4, 2007 The European Neighbourhood Policy and Israel The European Neighbourhood Policy so far I n 2003-2004, the European Commission proposed a new foreign policy for the EU – the “European Neighbourhood Policy” (ENP), a framework policy to cover its eastern and southern neighbours. The EU's motiva- tion in proposing such a policy is its interest in being surrounded by stable, prosperous neighbours. For the EU, supporting the political and economic de- velopment of its neighbours is the best guarantee for peace and security and long-term prosperity. Through the ENP, the EU wants to make a decisive contri- bution to helping those governments achieve their political and economic reform objectives, by offering to share the benefits of a deeper relationship. The neighbour- ing countries' interest is in benefiting, to the maximum possible, from what the EU can offer – economic stability and larger markets, reform experience and know-how, cultural and other contacts between populations. The European Neighbourhood Policy is a special framework applying to the EU's relationship with its immediate neighbours to the east and south, sixteen countries which do not, or do not currently, have a perspective of eventual EU membership: Al- geria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. The ENP is a response to the interests and wishes of the European Union's neigh- bours, from the Mediterranean to the Caspian Sea, for closer relations – a privileged form of relationship now, irrespective of what the future might bring. It is also a re- sponse to citizens' expectations, hopes and fears about the challenges of today's world 1. In the absence of a contractual relationship, the benefits of the ENP are not activated for Belarus, Libya or Syria.
– globalisation and prosperity gaps, manag- out building a “fortress Europe” or creating ing migration, safe borders, organised crime, new dividing lines. “ counterterrorism and extremism, environ- mental damage and public health concerns etc – deriving from poverty, insecurity, migra- Tailor-made The European Neighbourhood tory pressures and resource shortages in the Policy (ENP) is founded on the premise shared neighbourhood. The ENP works by partnership and joint ownership of the reform process, based on that by helping our neighbours we help agreed reform priorities, responding to the ourselves. It provides us with a new frame- The policy aims to create a virtuous circle by countries' needs and efforts. Through jointly promoting good governance, economic and agreed partnerships for reform – ENP Ac- work and new tools for promoting good social development, modernisation and re- tion Plans – short and medium-term reform government and economic development in form, through a new intensified relationship priorities are identified across a wide range of based on shared or common interests and subjects including: the EU's neighbourhood. And it utilises values such as good governance, prosperi- the valuable experience we have already ty, stability and security; democracy, human rights and rule of law; market economy and ■ Political dialogue and reform; gained of assisting countries in transition. sustainable development and reforms in key ■ Economic and social cooperation and de- It’s also a way of responding to our neigh- sectors. By benefiting from economic integra- velopment; tion with the EU, neighbouring countries can bours’ desire for closer relations with the more successfully implement their reform pro- ■ Trade related issues, market and regulatory grammes and economic development policies. reform; EU, without entering into discussions of Building a prosperous and stable neighbour- ■ Cooperation on Justice, Liberty and Secu- membership, thereby enabling us to build hood means developing sound political and rity; closer relations with them, irrespective of economic systems, and solid foundations in ■ Sectoral issues such as transport, energy, terms of economic and social development ” information society, environment, research the specific nature of their future relation- and physical connections. and development; ship with the EU. ■ The human dimension notably people-to- Reforms are interconnected – to promote people contacts, civil society, education and trade and investment, both sides need to public health. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European strengthen transport services and infra- Commissioner for External Relations structure links, while stronger judicial and and European Neighbourhood Policy, regulatory systems will in turn contribute to a Although the ENP Action Plans follow the October 2005 better business and investment climate. ENP same basic structure, the fact that these are seeks efficient and secure borders, promoting negotiated with partners means that the con- economic, social and cultural exchange, with- tent of each one is fully differentiated i.e.
country-specific, tailor-made for the political, economic and social situation and needs of that country and its relationship with the EU. ENP: key developments The list of reform priorities, and their se- March 2003 - May 2004: the European Commission proposed the main lines of a Neighbourhood Policy and quencing, serves several purposes, both for how it should work. the EU and partner countries. For partner countries, it is a valuable strategic document May 2004: the European Commission presented Country Reports on seven ENP countries. – in the case of Moldova, for instance, it has become the centrepiece of its domestic re- June 2004: the 25 EU Heads of State and Government endorsed the Commission's Strategy Paper. form strategy and in the case of Jordan is closely linked to its National Programme. For Remainder of 2004: the European Commission and those seven ENP countries negotiated ENP Action Plans based on the countries' short to medium-term reform priorities. the EU, it provides guidance for assistance in support of those reforms as well as clear in- February – July 2005: these ENP Action Plans – for Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Author- dicators by which reform can be measured. ity, Tunisia and Ukraine – were adopted and implementation of the reforms began. For other international actors and donors, it serves as a useful blueprint of reforms to Late 2004 – late 2006: after presenting Country Reports on these countries in Spring 2005, negotiations for which the country has committed. ENP Action Plans also with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia and Lebanon. December 2006: European Commission issues a Communication on “Strengthening the ENP” and publishes progress reports for the seven countries, including Israel, which are already implementing ENP Action Plans. Integration - the key to success What are the incentives for reforms? As the June 2007: German Presidency Report on progress in “Strengthening the ENP.” partners make progress towards their reform objectives as regards rule of law, democra- cy, human rights, market-oriented economic and sectoral reforms and cooperation on key foreign policy objectives, the EU offers deep- All key documents relating to the ENP can be found at er political and economic integration, going beyond the relationship normally offered to http://ec.europa.eu/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm third countries. Deeper political integration means more fre- quent and higher level dialogue, support for further strengthening of institutions protect- ing democracy and the rule of law, promoting common foreign policy priorities like regional European Union Candidate and potential candidate countries European Neighbourhood Policy
cooperation, making multilateral institutions working methods which will help to realise more effective, addressing common security the potential of the Barcelona process. threats such as terrorism, extremism, weap- ons of mass destruction etc. By summer 2007, three years after the policy was first proposed, and barely two years after Deeper economic integration means substan- the adoption of the first ENP Action Plans, tial EU financial and technical assistance for the policy is already showing early results. agreed reform priorities and cross-border co- Usually, at this early stage of implementation operation, reforms which will inter alia help of an ambitious new policy, it is difficult to partner countries to take advantage of the demonstrate concrete progress since institu- generous trade access which is offered to the tion-building is, by its very nature, difficult to EU's internal market (as well as supporting measure, but there is already political momen- their efforts to gain WTO membership). tum and some real results: The importance of the EU's relationships ■ Implementation of the first seven ENP with the ENP partner countries is not in Action Plans (with Israel, Jordan, Moldo- any sense novel. What is new in the ENP is va, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, a comprehensive and forward-looking vision Tunisia and Ukraine) is underway, with ex- of promoting political and economic reform, perts from both sides monitoring progress development and modernisation, including through regular meetings. Several actions elements which are not offered to any oth- under the ENP Action Plan with the Pales- er “third countries”. This includes new forms tinian Authority were put on hold following of support to stimulate economic and social political developments during 2006. development, the possibility of participating ■ Adoption of ENP Action Plans for Ar- in EU programmes and agencies and, most menia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia and innovative of all, the possibility of further Lebanon. economic and trade integration. ■ Progress has been made on a number of issues of benefit to partners e.g. on trade How far and how fast a partner progress- facilitation for Ukraine, progress on en- es in its relationship with the EU depends ergy issues with Algeria, Azerbaijan and on its capacity and its political will to imple- Ukraine; Ukraine and Morocco's partic- ment agreed reforms. Progress is supported ipation in the EU's ALTHEA military by greater incentives and benefits. This means operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; visa that as and when countries identify the sectors facilitation agreements with Ukraine and of the EU market which they want to access, Moldova; a successful border assistance and then implement (with EU help) the nec- mission helping Moldova and Ukraine essary reforms to be able to benefit from to improve customs operations on their such access, they can gradually participate in shared border; improvements in food stan- EU-wide networks on transport, energy, tele- dards in Jordan; enhanced dialogue with communications, education etc. some Mediterranean partners including, for the first time, on issues such as democ- racy, human rights and governance. The ENP takes full account of existing re- lationships with these neighbours, whether Partnership and Cooperation Agreements The EU is committed to supporting re- (with eastern neighbours) or Association form and development in its neighbourhood. Agreements and the Euro-Mediterranean Through the ENP, it works with its neigh- Partnership (with southern neighbours). In bours to promote their reforms, improving the Mediterranean, the ENP complements life for their citizens as well as its own. Success the pre-existing Euro-Mediterranean Partner- depends on the partner countries' capacity – ship, the key multilateral element of the EU’s with which the EU can help – but even more relations with its southern neighbours, by of- crucially on their own political will to imple- fering additional country-specific incentives ment their reform programmes. A first report and opportunities as well as new tools and on progress was issued in December 2006.
Israel and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Expanding the partnership T he Presidency conclusions of the European Council held in Essen, Ger- many in December 1994 stated that, "The European Council considers that Israel, on account of its high level of economic de- the legal basis for relations, and will also to contribute to the fulfilment of the Essen Declaration. velopment, should enjoy special status in its relations with the EU on the basis of reciproc- New EU-Israel partnership perspectives under the European ity and common interest." Shortly afterwards, Neighbourhood Policy in November 1995, the EU and Israel signed a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agree- • The perspective of moving beyond co-operation to a significant degree of integration, including through a ment. This entered into force in June 2000, stake in the EU’s Internal Market, and the possibility for Israel to participate progressively in key aspects of replacing an earlier 1975 cooperation Agree- EU policies and programmes. ment. Israel and the European Union also • An upgrade in the scope and intensity of political co-operation; developed relations further in the context of • The opportunity to explore the possibility of approximation of economic legislation, the opening of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. economies to each other, and the continued reduction of trade barriers which will stimulate investment and growth; However, while the free trade arrangements • Targeted support and advice in certain areas where a need to align Israeli legislation with EU norms for industrial goods and concessions for trade and standards has been identified and agreed upon. Targeted support and advice will be made available in agricultural products appearing in the As- through a mechanism such as TAIEX (Technical Assistance Information Exchange – see pg 6); sociation Agreement were fully implemented • Targeted assistance to Israel of €2 million per annum (2007-2010) via the new European Neighbourhood and further developed, insufficient progress and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), to support the implementation of the Action Plan priorities, mainly in was made in developing other sectors of co- the form of institutional cooperation (Twinning, see pg 6). operation. • Infrastructure investment support through the European Investment Bank (EIB). In December 2006 the EIB signed loans for a total of €275 million for environmental infrastructure projects in Israel and for supporting In December 2004, Israel was among the first Israeli small and medium sized enterprises. wave of countries to agree on an ENP Action • Gradual opening to Israel and/or reinforced participation in relevant EU programmes which promote Plan with the EU. This has opened up new industrial, cultural, scientific, educational, and environmental links; possibilities for further developing EU-Isra- • Deepening trade and economic relations, extending them to cover the service sector, particularly financial el relations by setting out in more detail than services, and to provide the conditions for increasing investment and exports. the Association Agreement a comprehensive set of jointly developed priorities, with a pro- gramme over three years of specific activities All key documents relating to the ENP can be found at to which both sides are committed. Hence, the Action Plan will help fulfil the provisions http://ec.europa.eu/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm in the Association Agreement, which remains Implementing the EU-Israel Action Plan Creation of sub-committees Sub-committees are the principal vehicle for Ten sub-committees with Israel have been established: implementing the ENP Action Plan. They allow officials from Israel and the Europe- 1. Industry, trade and services 6. Justice and legal matters an Commission to meet regularly and discuss 2. Internal market 7. Economic and financial matters 3. Research, innovation, information society, education 8. Customs co-operation and taxation various subjects to work out detailed priori- and culture 9. Social and migration affairs ties, exchange views, inform each other about 4. Transport, energy, and environment 10. Agriculture and fisheries their positions and come to an agreement on 5. Political dialogue and co-operation contentious issues.
Exchanging Expertise Some Examples of ENP and Information cooperation so far... “I would say that, indeed, Israel Combating Terrorism was the first country of the The ENP uses the tools of Twinning and & Cross Border Crime Neighbourhood Policy with which TAIEX to share expertise and informa- tion with the aim of eventually bringing During the first year of implementation of we introduced the Action Plan the cooperation in the field of Justice and and I think you are among the those Israeli laws and regulations joint- ly identified by the EU and Israel in line Home Affairs, particular emphasis was placed first again that would like to go on the international response required in the further within the framework of the with those of the EU. fight against terrorism. In cooperating with Neighbourhood Policy. all its partners the EU has stressed that the This is a very comprehensive Twinning commitment to combating terrorism must policy. I think that it is very be carried out in full respect for international important to say that there is Twinning is a cooperation tool for a public law, including international humanitarian law, this possibility, the element of administration in a partner country and the human rights, fundamental freedoms and the differentiation. That means: each equivalent institution in an EU Member State. rule of law. Focus has been placed on a re- and every country has a chance to It aims to exchange best practice, to draft sponse to terrorism which must also address go further in the framework of the laws and regulations in the partner country the factors contributing to radicalisation and neighbourhood policy according modelled after the EU acquis (the body of recruitment and curbing terrorist access to fi- to its own achievements, its own EU legislation) and to reorganise institution- nancial and other economic resources. objectives, and our common al structures. A twinning project consists of understanding. sending a resident advisor (often supported Against this background, EU-Israel co-op- We have already done a lot. by other advisors on shorter term missions) eration has substantially increased through It is not only research and to a partner country as part of a process that a number of initiatives. In the fight against development. Israel is also now lasts between one and three years. Twinning money laundering, the Committee of min- participating fully in the navigation has proven to be a very effective tool for isters of the Council of Europe gave a satellite program Galileo, there carrying out institutional and regulatory re- favourable opinion in January 2006 about the are negotiations on the way on the forms. participation of Israel as “active observer” in liberalization of trade in services MONEYVAL (Council of Europe restrict- Israel and the European Union have already and agricultural products, and, ed committee promoting the application of indeed, we have just concluded identified data protection as well as pub- the FATF [Financial Action Task Force] stan- the participation of Israel in the lic transport planning and management as dards in the fight against money laundering). Seventh Framework Programme appropriate areas for twinning projects. Iden- for Research and Development - tification of further projects is ongoing. In February 2005, the Justice and Home Af- thus, making Israel an integral part fairs Council adopted the decision to give a of the European research area. TAIEX: the Technical Assistance and mandate to Europol to negotiate an agree- Information Exchange Instrument ment with Israel. Europol aims at improving But our relationship can become much broader and deeper, and I TAIEX, the Technical Assistance and Infor- co-operation between the competent author- think the communication on the mation Exchange Instrument, is a short-term ities in preventing and combating terrorism, Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan tool to achieve the approximation of Israeli unlawful drug trafficking and other serious that we have just made in general and European legislation as a means to open- forms of international organised crime. EU- is, of course, also an offer to ing the EU internal market to Israel. One of ROPOL is currently assessing Israel’s Data Israel. [We] will exactly see where the ways in which TAIEX works is by send- Protection legislation. there are interests from both sides ing EU experts to seminars and workshops to The 75th INTERPOL General Assembly and where we can enhance and present and explain issues related to the ac- held in Rio de Janeiro in September 2006 ap- in the future then also make a quis to a wider audience. proved Israel’s application for membership in decision for next steps to be done. I am very happy about that and I Scores of meetings, seminars and workshops the European Regional Conference. This will hope that we can go on, on this have already been held in the TAIEX frame- enable European and Israeli specialists on in- very fruitful path. Thank you.” work on subjects ranging from 'consideration vestigation and prevention of any particular of environmental risks to financial institutions' kind of crime to meet and discuss matters of to 'human trafficking' and from 'extradition common concern. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU of fugitives' to 'intelligent transport systems' . In March 2006, the EU hosted a seminar in Commissioner for External Many more are in the pipeline. Brussels on “sharing best practices on fight- Relations and European ing terrorism financing”, an issue of common Neighbourhood Policy, Brussels, 5 March 2007 concern, with the participation of the EU counter-terrorism Coordinator, high-ranking
officials from the EU institutions and the Is- perts tackled subjects such as fighting racism raeli Government. The technical discussion through education and contending with hate covered a number of issues ranging from speech in the media. the Israeli experience in fighting terrorism-fi- nancing to different EU initiatives undertaken Scientific and Technological in this field, from the implementation of the Co-operation FATF special recommendation on terrorism Since 1996 when it joined the 4th Research “The European Neighbourhood financing to Israel’s and EU’s relevant co-op- Framework Programme (FP4), Israel has been Policy and the Action Plan eration with third countries. one of only two non-European countries ful- between Israel and the EU, offer Israel also initiated contacts with the aim of ly associated to the EU's research funding a very important foundation on programmes and over time has constantly in- which we can build the new model developing co-operation with EUROJUST, creased its participation and success rate in for our relations …Important whose main tasks are to improve coordina- work has already begun in order tion and co-operation between investigators obtaining grants. Under the Sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6 - 2002-2006) Is- to implement the Action Plan. and prosecutors dealing with serious interna- For example, in the political tional crime. EUROJUST already has contact raeli research bodies participated in over 600 chapter, cooperation started in points in several third countries including Is- research projects in consortia with their Eu- the fields of counter terrorism, the rael. The European Commission and Israel ropean counterparts. The EU is now Israel's reinforcement of cooperation in have furthermore agreed to strengthen their second biggest source of research funding. international organizations and cooperation in fighting cyber-crimes, by def- Scientific and Technological co-operation the fight against anti-semitism. inition borderless, including through the between Israel and Europe has brought a Just the same, there is a need development of Israel’s co-operation with number of new opportunities for Israeli en- to further enhance the Political ENISA (European Network and Information terprises and research organisations. While Dialogue in order to further Security Agency) which could help to prevent Europe appreciates the technological excel- improve mutual understanding, to and respond to major network and informa- lence and the entrepreneurial spirit of Israeli overcome misperceptions and to tion security problems. enterprises, Europe offers complementary develop common tools needed to expertise as well as a huge market potential in confront the political and security Combating Racism and close proximity to Israel. challenges. Anti-Semitism Within the ENP framework, EU-Israel Sci- More hard work is needed – on The EU-Israel Action Plan includes com- entific Co-operation is set to reach new both sides - to make the most of mitments to promote protection of human levels with the July 16, 2007 signature of an the existing possibilities for the rights and to co-operate in the fight against agreement associating Israel to the EU's 7th accession of Israel to European programmes and agencies in the racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and Islam- Research Framework Programme (FP7). It is various fields such as energy, ophobia. A seminar on racism, anti-Semitism, estimated that Israel will contribute around space cooperation, environment, and xenophobia was hosted by the European €440 million to the overall FP7 budget, of judicial cooperation, culture, youth Commission in Brussels in December 2006. over €50 billion. With this agreement, Israe- and more…. At this meeting, Israeli and European ex- li researchers can participate in all calls for The time has come to implement the Essen Declaration and to EU Commissioner for Research Janez Potocnik, (left) during a 2006 visit to Israel to present the accelerate the discussions on the Seventh Framework Programme, together with Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour Eli Yishai development of a new strategic and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, Ambassador Ramiro Cibrián-Uzal. model for future enhanced relations between Israel and the EU. This has to be based on the view that such a closer relationship is to the benefit of both sides and can contribute to the improvement of mutual understanding and trust. I truly believe that the road should ultimately lead us to a significant participation of Israel in the European integration project.” Tsipi Livni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, December 11, 2006, Jerusalem
proposals under FP7 on an equal which will fund the best new ideas emerging be devoted to, "support for activities in the footing with researchers from the from Europe's science community, regardless field of higher education on priority areas of EU's Member States. of thematic area and without the requirement common interest, in particular with a view to for multinational partnerships. approximation of education and training pol- Israel is expected to play a crucial role in the icies in a global knowledge-based economy, Speaking at the signing ceremony, including workshops, exchanges and academ- EU Research Commissioner Janez FP7 programme. For example, it will be the only country outside of the EU associated ic cooperation." Potočnik said: with the 'Clean Sky' initiative, the major new "Israel's association to the Frame- public/private partnership proposed to radi- work Programme has proved to be In its communication on 'Strengthening the cally improve the impact of air transport on European Neighbourhood Policy' of Decem- of mutual benefit for both sides over the environment, with the goal of eliminating the last couple of years. Whereas the ber 2006, the European Commission stated environmental pollution by reducing green- that cooperation under schemes like TEM- European Research Area will bene- house gases. Israel will take part in this project fit from the renowned excellence of PUS and Erasmus Mundus alongside policy through the Israel Aerospace Industries. dialogue on higher education and the exchange the Israeli research community, Isra- el will gain full access to the biggest For more information on FP7: of best practice, will help to establish an "area research programme in the world." http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/ of cooperation in higher education". http://www.eu-del.org.il/english/content/tech- Operating over a time span of 7 nology_section/3.asp years (2007-2013) the Seventh Re- Erasmus Mundus search Framework Programme is Israel participates in the Erasmus Mundus one of the biggest EU programmes. cooperation and mobility programme in the It allows for funding of collab- Economic and Business Cooperation field of higher education which promotes the orative research in strategic areas Competitiveness and Innovation Frame- European Union as a centre of excellence in such as health, energy, information work Programme (CIP) learning around the world. Among other ac- technologies, nanotechnology or Negotiations are underway for Israel's associ- tions, it provides EU-funded scholarships for transport. FP7 also stimulates the ation to the Competitiveness and Innovation third country nationals participating in desig- mobility of researchers through Ma- Framework Programme (CIP). With small nated Masters Courses. rie-Curie grants. A new feature that and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as its will be open to Israeli scientists is main target, CIP aims to encourage the com- the European Research Council, petitiveness of European enterprises. The College of Europe programme will support innovation activities Israel is included in a pilot project offering (including eco-innovation), provide better ac- full study scholarships to university graduates cess to finance and deliver business support from the 17 countries covered by the ENPI services. It will encourage a better take-up to study at the College of Europe in the aca- and use of information and communications demic year 2007-2008. technologies (ICT) and help to develop the information society. It will also promote the increased use of renewable energies and en- Euro-Med Youth ergy efficiency. The Euro-Med Youth Programme is a re- gional programme that promotes the mobility EUROPEAN Business Dialogue of young people and the understanding be- tween peoples through three types of actions: Plans are in place for the inauguration of the Youth Exchanges, Voluntary Services and UNION EU-Israel Business Dialogue. This will gather together Israeli and European business peo- Support Measures. It is open to the 27 EU Members States and the 10 Mediterranean Delegation of the European ple in order to discuss common challenges Partners, including Israel. The third phase Commission to the State of facing the respective business communities of the programme focuses on mobility, non- Israel and to approach decision makers. formal education and intercultural learning. In Israel, as in other Mediterranean Partner Paz Tower Countries, applicants for funding now apply 15th floor Cooperation in Education and Youth directly to the national authorities, as repre- 5 Shoham Street Ramat Gan 52521 Activities sented by the Euro-Med Youth Unit (EMYU) Support under ENPI that has been established, with the financial delegation-israel@ec.europa.eu support of the European Commission, with- Part of the €2 million per annum support for in the Ministry of Education. The first call www.delisr.ec.europa.eu Israel under the European Neighbourhood for proposals under Euromed Youth III was and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), will launched in April 2007.
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