Tailored Action Plan
The European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) allows building connections between EU partners and the Old Continent based on individualized plans. This is an A la carte option by opposition to the former set menu.
The European Neighborhood Policy was developed along with the enlargement of the European Union in 2004. It has profoundly consolidated the political, economic, cultural and social relationships between the EU and adjacent countries of the South and the East. The ENP goes beyond what the existing Association Agreements offer and introduces a deeper political relationship and economic integration. It aims at creating a mutual commitment to common values, such as democracy, human rights, State of law, good governance, rules of market economy and sustainable development.
The EU reaches an agreement with each ENP partner on the basis of an Action Plan. It provides financial and technical assistance to support the implementation of reforms, with total respect to the identity and fundamental choices of each country. In addition to the commitments taken within the framework of the Association Agreements, the Action Plan helps build a common ground for legislations and regulations among all member states in all concerned domains.
A personalized rhythm
The specificity of the ENP is that it adapts the partnership to serve the need of each partner. An agenda of political and economic reforms is set out with short and medium-term priorities, depending on the choices made by each country.
Besides, even though the negotiations, the signature and the implementation of Action Plans are still the responsibility of political authorities, the ENP underlines the importance of civil society, stressing on the role it should play in the final adoption of the text. Consumer defense, environment protection and support to the rights of minorities… these are issues where involvement of civil society and NGOs is vital for the overall success of the ENP.
Roger Melki
Economist
(Excerpts from Cahiers Euromed, 2005)
Your reactions
I would like to be brief and thank Europa Jaratona program for its achievments in Jordan.
On: E-TVET reform (Jordan)
It is good to hear that there is someone who really cares about our historical monuments. While reading the article, I was hoping to find so many Tunisian names to make sure that, also, in our country there are people who are hell-bent on preserving what is left of a glorious history. Tunisia, thanks to its location, welcomed many civilizations whose leaders built huge and glorious buildings. Not only in cities near the shores, but also in the far west cities like Sbitla, Kasserin...
I believe that in order to save the surviving monuments, there should be a campaign to make Tunisians aware of the significance of such a loss if those buildings become ruins.
On: Initiatives to preserve Tunisian architecture
I have read this article with cautious and i was not happy of the approaches being written due i guess to lack of real understanding of current environmental issues we are facing. The problem of pollution will not be tackled only through fundings bec most of the money used is not appropriately used and if ever used we seek the traditional methods the old fashion way. We need to look at alternatives , less costs , better and more sustainable output. Waste problems are derived from mass consumerism and lack of understanding of what our lives should mean to us as far as human values and choices we should take in life. Building waste water treatment is needed but what is more needed is eduation and awereness and return to ethics and values. We can keep dumping money on projects but who would assure me that our resources are being well taken care of and not depleted in a fast way? Where is the concept of sustainibility?
On: Mediterranean pollution “hot spots” under control by 2020?
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