I am grateful for your invitation to today’s event. The Economic and Social Committee plays an important part in the network of links between the representatives of employers and the civil society in the European Union and its partners across the countries in our neighbourhood. I am therefore delighted to have the opportunity to bring you up to date on the Commission’s priorities for our Neighbourhood, but also briefly – if you allow me – on Enlargement.
As you know, we are a geopolitical Commission where the full engagement with our neighbours is a top priority and a necessity. We must engage strongly with our neighbours in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity. This is in our own interest, it is also a question of credibility. If we do not assume our responsibilities, others will take our place.
There is a significant development gap between the European Union and its neighbours, which is something I want to reduce. That is why you will see a particular focus on support for sustainable economic development, underpinned by a functioning market economy, strong democratic institutions, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
I also intend to make maximum use of the dedicated financial instruments to ensure an investment boost that will drive forward growth and provide concrete benefits for the people, for example when it comes to big infrastructure projects and support for young entrepreneurs.
The direct support to investment is a key element, but so are good governance and a conducive business environment that help attract investment, both domestic and foreign. That is why the External Investment Plan is so important for the neighbourhood. It allows us to leverage significant private investment into key sectors of the economy, reduce risks, and address market failures.
Honourable members,
Let me go into some more detail on our priorities for the coming years, starting with the Eastern Neighbourhood. Thank you for your active engagement and your valuable contribution to the consultation process on the future of the Eastern Partnership. We had an overall excellent response to this consultation from a very broad range of stakeholders, including 23 Member States and 6 partners. This is a good basis for designing the future of the policy.
Let me take you through some of the main findings of the consultation:
First, there is a strong consensus that the current policy framework, 20 Deliverables for 2020, is a good basis on which to build. The partnership is jointly owned and results-oriented reform agenda that is widely appreciated by both Member States and partner countries and across a range of stakeholders.
Second, there is a broad consensus that we are delivering on stronger economy, stronger connectivity, and stronger society.
Third, though, as regards stronger governance, many challenges remain. In some countries, we see the space for Civil Society shrinking. A solid majority of stakeholders including Civil Society, Member States and partner countries, explicitly mention the need to step up work on rule of law, the fight against corruption, need for independent judiciary and the role of independent media and civil society in order to achieve more, and more lasting results.
The goal to tackle these important outstanding challenges is a central point of my mission. It is key for citizens who need and demand transparency and accountable governments in their day-to-day lives. Moreover, further progress in the rule of law is fundamentaly linked to creating sustainable jobs, growth and opportunities for all.
Based on the consultation process and the implementation of the current agenda, I intend to propose in Spring a framework of ambitious but realistic long-term policy objectives, in view of the next Eastern Partnership Summit in June in Brussels.
The new policy needs to further strengthen the resilience of the Eastern Partnership, helping the six partners to be able to stand on their own feet. I want us to move towards deeper sectoral cooperation, where appropriate, with countries that are ready. Modernisation and implementation of sustainable reforms are key for investing in a resilient economy, a resilient democracy, a resilient society.
As far as our southern neighbourhood is concerned, there are major challenges in terms of stability and migration, socio-economic weaknesses and high youth unemployment but also opportunities for economic cooperation, trade and security.
I will contribute to renewing our partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood based on the “more for more” principle, while focusing on economic development of our partners. Our objectives must be realistic, but also much more ambitious. I will attach absolute importance to economic growth and the success of employment policies, in particular with regard to young people. And I will also explore how to promote better governance as a key ingredient to success.
We will review and update our priorities, taking into account the needs and interests of each of our partners. Morocco, for example, plays a crucial role as a partner of the European Union. That is why we are already working to formulate new proposals to intensify our relations with this country, as we are with Tunisia and Jordan, as they move ahead with demanding reforms.
Relations with Libya and Syria are more complex. Our first priority is to work to restore and protect peace and stability, in coordination with the United Nations. For example, in Libya despite the ongoing difficult situation on the ground, most EU projects continue to be implemented together with EU Member States, UN agencies and international organisations. Our programmes supporting Libya amount to over € 500 million during the 2014-2020 period.
We will continue to support economic and political reforms in Egypt, with its pivotal role in the region. At the same time, we will continue our close dialogue on human rights.
Finally, we will work tirelessly on migration with our partners from the south using all the instruments at our disposal to achieve our objectives. We must support Lebanon and Jordan, two key countries hosting a very large number of refugees. Tackling youth unemployment will be high on the agenda and we will fight against irregular migration, trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants.
If you allow me, in conclusion I will say just a few words on the enlargement process and the Western Balkans, as it is high on our priority agenda. Work is ongoing on three tracks:
Firstly, at the beginning of February, next week, we will make proposals to make the accession negotiations more credible, more predictable, with stronger political steer and more dynamic. Our aim is not to redesign the EU enlargement, but to strengthen and modernise the process.
Second, and in parallel, the Commission stands by the recommendations to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. We hope for a positive decision from the Council ahead the Summit in Zagreb in May with our Western Balkan partners.
Thirdly, in preparation of the Zagreb Summit, the Commission will come forward with an economic and investment development plan for the region. Our objective is to intensify our presence in the Western Balkans and to help closing the economic development gap between us.
As I said at the beginning, the work of the geopolitical Commission starts in our neighbourhood.
Honourable Members, I thank you for your attention and support. I am looking forward to our discussion.