Toespraak eurocommissaris Ferrero-Waldner European over laatste ontwikkelingen beleid buurlanden (en)

SPEECH/07/523

Benita Ferrero-Waldner

European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy

Speech to Foreign Affairs Committee

European Parliament

Brussels, 11 September, 2007

Mr. Chairman,

Honourable Members,

It is a pleasure to be here. I am grateful for this opportunity to brief you, particularly on recent developments in neighbourhood which is so critical for our prosperity and security.

As you know, strengthening relations with our neighbours is a priority for me as the responsible Commissioner. Our partners and Member States share this priority, as we could see from the excellent turn-out (with more than 800 participants) at last week's ENP conference.

More than one speaker referred to the conference as a landmark event. And I think it did take us a step forward in the debate on the strengthening of this policy. Many participants underlined the need to further develop the sense of shared ownership. I will ensure that all the ideas presented to us on Monday are fully examined.

The conference showed that the objectives of the European Neighbourhood Policy are well understood and appreciated by our neighbours. But they are asking us to do more to make a reality of the offers we have put on the table.

Despite its short existence, the ENP has already achieved a lot. But as the Commission argued in last December's Communication, we need to make the ENP even more attractive and effective.

We were therefore happy to read the draft report by Mr. Tannock and Mr. Beglitis which you will discuss on Thursday. This is a balanced, astute report. We share many of its views, and we agree on the same needs for improving the policy.

Now we must concentrate on implementing the measures on the table. For that, your support is crucial.

Four key sectors were stressed by our partners on Monday: Economic integration, mobility, energy and political cooperation.

Building common prosperity is a first key goal. The chance to integrate into the EU's internal market is a powerful incentive for our neighbours to keep up the pace of reforms.

They want us to lay the groundwork for the conclusion of deep and comprehensive free trade agreements with them, and we need to make sure that, all products - including those of most interest to our neighbours - really can enter our markets.

Increased mobility is a second crucial element stressed by many speakers. The freedom to travel is enormously important to achieve our goals.

As your draft report suggests, simpler, cheaper and faster visa procedures are needed throughout the neighbourhood. A lot of that simply requires making flexible use of the existing rules.

The ENP is about real contacts between real people. That should be our guiding principle!

Perhaps most fundamentally, the Commission has proposed a new system of Mobility Partnerships.

The idea is to focus on the joint responsibility of countries to tackle the challenge of migration. This would include steps to combat illegal migration and more opportunities for legal migration.

Thirdly, I was struck by how many partners see energy policy as a key dimension of the ENP.

I informed the conference that we are carrying out a feasibility study to consider whether a regional energy agreement or legal framework could bring benefits, such as stronger security of supply, more competition to the benefit of consumers; stronger environmental and safety standards; and a more stable investment framework.

Lastly, there is a clear appetite for more political cooperation. Here, I see a particular role to be played by the European Parliament, and indeed national parliaments:

The European Parliament is an important catalyst for democratic development. I am sure you will further deepen this transfer of parliamentary know-how.

Another theme repeatedly raised last week is the wish to see the EU even more engaged in resolving the various frozen - and "not so frozen" - conflicts in the region.

We need to show that we are willing to rise to this challenge. I believe that we should carefully reflect on how the EU can improve its policy of conflict prevention.

Honourable Members,

I know that many of you and many Member States attach great importance to the "balance" in the neighbourhood. Well, so do I!

But frankly, we should not dedicate too much time to this. The ENP is performance-driven. We offer the same possibilities and the same support to all of our neighbours - as and when they are willing.

The conclusions of the Tannock/Beglitis report note that it is not " realistic to fundamentally change this overarching policy framework".

I agree - and would even go one step further: By focusing attention on our wider neighbourhood area, the ENP has leveraged more support than when we looked at each neighbour in isolation.

This brings me to another key point: The principle of ENP is differentiation. The ENP is not a one-size-fits-all policy. It is not a straight-jacket, but a flexible toolbox for reforms.

We are a Union of 27 states. This diversity is the secret of our success! Wouldn't we be the last people to demand homogeneity?

As the ENP develops, this differentiation will become more pronounced - but always within a broad common framework, which reflects our common challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me dwell on some specific issues in our neighbourhood:

First, Ukraine, which is obviously a central partner for us:

This week, the EU will hold its bilateral Summit with Ukraine. Its agenda contains a number of key issues which reflect our constructive and positive relationship with Ukraine.

We will talk about the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan, a key tool for furthering reform in Ukraine. We will look into areas of co-operation like energy, visa facilitation and readmission, and cooperation with the EU Border Assistance Mission.

We will also talk about the new Enhanced Agreement, on which negotiations are proceeding well despite the political crisis of the past months. The 5th round of talks is planned for mid-October. And we will emphasize the importance for a quick resolution of outstanding issues for Ukraine's WTO accession.

Still, we strongly encourage Ukraine to stabilise the situation and establish a viable constitutional system with proper checks and balances. That is vital to keep the reforms on track.

It goes without saying that democratic elections in accordance with international standards are equally very important.

On the other hand, elections by themselves can not bring a solution to the difficult internal situation. As I said: They must be followed by comprehensive reforms including constitutional reform

Honourable Members,

Belarus is of course another country to which we dedicate special attention - although Belarus is at present not a full partner in ENP.

My services recently met with representatives of Belarus in the margins of the ENP Conference last week, which Belarus attended as an observer. The discussion was open and constructive. We gave the clear message that we wish to see positive developments in our relations and move towards a full partnership in the ENP context.

But this can only be based on convincing steps from Belarus on democracy and human rights. We must continue to insist on the respect of these fundamental values. There have been some positive steps in spring, but recent events such as arrests and the confiscation of EC brochures are not encouraging.

Let me also emphasise that we remain committed to opening a Commission Delegation in Minsk. However, the procedures on the Belarus side have so far been lengthy.

We have reiterated this point to the authorities last week, and I hope that Belarus will confirm its agreement soon.

Generally, the 12 points formulated in our basic document "What the EU could offer Belarus†remain valid. It is up to Belarus to take matters into its own hands and make progress. I sincerely hope it makes this strategic "choice for Europe".

Honourable Members,

Let me also briefly touch on our relations with Russia.

This is an important time in our relations. On the one hand we have differences over some key issues on the global agenda and over the respect for fundamental values; on the other, there is increasing trade and investment, education exchanges and people-to-people contacts. This may seem somewhat paradoxical.

Let me therefore be clear: Russia remains a strategic partner. The bottom line is that we ultimately share common strategic objectives and need to find common views based on this mutual interest.

So while Russia might pursue a more assertive foreign policy, neither of us should forget how deeply interlinked our economies and societies are.

Reciprocity is therefore the key word - not just in the field of energy! That is a point we need to emphasize more strongly. Let us therefore pursue a positive agenda in the areas where we can advance and take full advantage of the four common spaces road maps on which there is agreement with Russia.

In this vein, we remain committed to launching negotiations, as soon as possible, on a new framework agreement to succeed the PCA. And we continue our efforts to bind Russia into rules-based arrangements - hence the importance of its WTO accession.

Unity and solidarity within the EU are absolute preconditions if we are to achieve concrete results. Our solidarity is clear: A problem for one EU Member State is a problem for all of us! I am strongly committed to this principle!

On the other hand, solidarity is not a one-way street. That is why we must keep our unity. Our Member States should try to seek solutions through our Union. That is to the benefit of us all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Another key partner in the ENP area is Morocco, which has just held parliamentary elections. I welcome the way the electoral process has developed. It confirms the progress made by Morocco in building a democratic society.

The fact that Morocco has in the end invited international observers is equally important. It shows the willingness of the authorities to stay on the path of reforms, which we will continue to support.

The privileged partnership that we are building with Morocco is based on shared common values of democracy and fundamental freedoms that have been reinforced in these elections.

Another area where I believe that our policy makes a key contribution is in the Middle East.

It is critical that we continue to work for a lasting settlement in the Middle East conflict through our role in the Quartet and as the main donor to the Palestinians.

There is now new momentum in the peace process, which we must foster:

An international Middle East meeting in the fall is being prepared, which should support the bilateral discussions between PM Olmert and President Abbas towards a lasting settlement.

These direct talks are critical. They touch upon the core issues, like final borders, the status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees. Similarly, the dialogue between Israel and the Arab states on their Peace initiative is an important track that we support.

Helping the economic development in the Palestinian territories and supporting the creation of a Palestinian state through institution-building is of course another key part of this puzzle. The EU has always been at the forefront of these efforts, and we are now working closely with former Prime Minister Blair and his team.

This matter will of course also be at the centre of my talks at the UN General Assembly in New York in two weeks.

We will have a meeting of the Quartet, followed by a meeting of the Quartet members with Arab countries. I will also participate in a high-level meeting on Palestine hosted by Norway. And I will of course have exchanges with all key interlocutors of the region.

These talks should help generate a positive momentum for the peace process.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The EU cannot afford greater radicalization and fragmentation in that region. We must support the forces of moderation and modernity.

That is why the ENP is so important. It offers a European horizon to the people and shows that closer ties with us offer tangible results.

The freeing of seven Bulgarian medics by Libya also proves that this policy of engagement brings clear results.

I am happy that my relentless efforts over the last two-and-a-half years, and those many Member States, have brought success.

We have found a solution for the treatment of the HIV-infected children; we help to ameliorate Libya's medical system; and we have taken away a stumbling block for Libya's integration into the international community. This is clearly a success for the EU's foreign policy.

Honourable Members,

Let me conclude.

Obviously, I could only highlight a few subjects. This does - of course - not mean that other issues on our agenda would be less important. I would be happy to discuss some of them with you.

Generally, he points I raised prove one thing: The EU is already a key actor in its neighbourhood. We are a beacon of stability and anchor of modernization.

But we need to become even more active and effective to fully realize our potential.

I know that the European Parliament is an important ally to achieve that. Thank you.