1. The Eastern Partnership Eastern dimension of the ENP

2. The Eastern Partnership:
A new partnership to strengthen relations between EU and six partner countries:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
the Republic of Moldova
Ukraine

4. The Eastern Partnership seeks to
Bring our partners closer to the EU
Promote stability, good governance and economic development
Eastern Partnership is EU strategic initiative that opens new chapter in relations with Eastern neighbours:
Responds to the aspirations of these countries to get even closer to the EU and consolidate their statehood;
Provides both: medium-term vision and detailed work-plan;
Upgrades substantially EU’s engagement;
Offers stronger and more practical support for acceleration of democratic and market-oriented reforms, legislative approximation and further economic integration;
Demonstrates in practical way the EU’s solidarity;
Promotes stability, good governance and economic development in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood

5. Eastern Partnership = Stronger EU engagement with the Eastern partners
In the mutual interest of the EU and of its Eastern partners
Eastern Partnership is EU strategic initiative that opens new chapter in relations with Eastern neighbours:
Responds to the aspirations of these countries to get even closer to the EU and consolidate their statehood;
Provides both: medium-term vision and detailed work-plan;
Upgrades substantially EU’s engagement;
Offers stronger and more practical support for acceleration of democratic and market-oriented reforms, legislative approximation and further economic integration;
Demonstrates in practical way the EU’s solidarity;
Promotes stability, good governance and economic development in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood

6. Basis of the Partnership =
Shared values:
Democracy and the rule of law
Respect for human rights and basic freedoms
Market economy and sustainable development

7. What do we propose bilaterally?
1. New contractual relations
Association Agreements with the EU,
based on shared values

8. 2. Gradual integration into the EU economy
Deep and comprehensive
Free Trade Areas

9. 3. Easier travel to the EU
Long-term goal of full visa
liberalisation

10. 4. Energy security cooperation
Interconnection and integration of energy markets

11. 5. Regional development
Pilot programmes based on
EU cohesion policy

12. New ‘Comprehensive Institution Building Programmes’
Support the implementation of
Association Agreements with the EU
Based on a political commitment
Focused on core institutions
of partner countries
Agreement driven: to help partner countries meet the pre-conditions for concluding an Association Agreement and a DCFTA and meet the commitments stemming from such agreements.
Focused on core institutions: aimed at upgrading the institutional capacity of a very limited number of core institutions that are central in the AA and DCFTA.
Comprehensive: to cover all the elements that can ensure that the targeted institutions are able to assume on their obligations stemming from the new agreements.
Based on a clear commitment from partner countries: subject to a preceding political agreement and co-financing by the partner countries.
Inclusive: open to support from other donors

13. What do we propose multilaterally?
A new forum to:
Present EU legislation and standards
Share experience on reforms
share experience and information on partner’s steps towards reforms accompanied by the EU;
facilitate adoption of common positions and joint activities;
discuss topics of common interest;
present and explain EU legislation and standards to the partners to initiate structured approximation process.
Increase the political visibility of the partners on the EU forum

14. Four thematic platforms
Democracy, good governance & stability (including JLS)
Economic integration and convergence with EU policies
Energy security
Contacts between people
Democracy, good governance & stability (including JLS):
Also covers electoral standards, media regulations, the fight against corruption, civil service reform, judicial and police cooperation, confidence building measures, security related issues etc.
Economic integration and convergence with EU policies
Trade and market related approximation, socio-economic development, poverty reduction, social inclusion, equal opportunities, health, environment and climate change
Energy security
Accelerated convergence of energy policies and legislation with EU, construction and rehabilitation of key energy infrastructure, support for the Southern energy corridor, extension of Odessa-Brody pipeline etc.
Contacts between people
Culture, support to NGOs, strengthen civil society, increase student and academic exchanges, better integration into 7th Framework Research Programme, joint media projects

15. Six flagship initiatives
Integrated Border Management Programme
SME Facility
Regional electricity markets, improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources
Diversification of energy supplies
Prevention of, preparedness for, and response to natural and man-made disasters
Promotion of good environmental governance
Integrated Border Management Programme:
Alignment to EU standards, a prerequisite for progress on the mobility;
SME Facility:
Small and medium enterprises would receive stimulus through technical assistance, financial intermediaries, risk capital and loans;
Regional electricity markets, improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources
This also includes the interlinking of the electricity grids;
Southern energy corridor
This is a key infrastructure initiative serving to diversify transit routes and sources of supply for the EU and its partners;
Prevention of, preparedness for, and response to natural and man-made disasters
Strengthen disaster management capacities and establish effective cooperation between the EU and the partner countries
Promotion of good environmental governance

16. Platforms and panels First platform meetings took place in June 2009
Next round in October-November
Under each platform, experts meet in panels to discuss specific issues.
First meeting of panel on Integrated Border Management on 15 October 2009, Odessa, Ukraine
Integrated Border Management Programme:
Alignment to EU standards, a prerequisite for progress on the mobility;
SME Facility:
Small and medium enterprises would receive stimulus through technical assistance, financial intermediaries, risk capital and loans;
Regional electricity markets, improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources
This also includes the interlinking of the electricity grids;
Southern energy corridor
This is a key infrastructure initiative serving to diversify transit routes and sources of supply for the EU and its partners;
Prevention of, preparedness for, and response to natural and man-made disasters
Strengthen disaster management capacities and establish effective cooperation between the EU and the partner countries
Promotion of good environmental governance

17. Eastern Partnership meetings
Summits every two years
First summit: 7 May 2009, Prague
Also involvement of other EU institutions (European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, international organisations (Council of Europe, OSCE etc.), International Financial Institutions, private sector

18. Eastern Partnership meetings:
Foreign ministers meetings once a year
First meeting: 8 December 2009
EURO-NEAST parliamentary assembly
Local and regional authorities’ assembly
Also involvement of other EU institutions (European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, international organisations (Council of Europe, OSCE etc.), International Financial Institutions, private sector

19. … and importantly Civil Society Forum
Launch on November in Brussels
Also involvement of other EU institutions (European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, international organisations (Council of Europe, OSCE etc.), International Financial Institutions, private sector

20. EC already provides substantial funding to Eastern partners
allocations:
Armenia € 98.4 million
Azerbaijan € 92 million
Belarus € 21 million
Georgia € million
(additional funding up to € 500 million to cope with the consequences of the crisis in August 2008),
Moldova € million
Ukraine € 494 million Euro
Additional funds are also available through regional and inter-regional programmes, Cross Border Cooperation, Neighbourhood Investment Facility

21. Funding will increase by 75% by 2013
Total annual EC funding for the six Eastern partners:
€ 450 million in 2008
€ 785 million in 2013
50% of additional funds will be devoted to
Comprehensive Institution Building
Programmes (CIBs)
20%of additional funds will be spent or regional development
When comparing 2008 (€450 million) to 2013 (€785 million)
This will mean allocating a supplementary envelope of € 350 million in addition to the planned resources for the period
Moreover we will refocus €250 million that was already allocated to the ENP regional east programme to initiatives relevant for the implementation of the Eastern Partnership (Mid-Term Review under way).

22. Challenges ahead Consolidate statehood, democracy and good governance
Address the risk of conflicts and instability
Further advance economic integration and regulatory approximation with the EU

23. Eastern Partnership Webpage
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