EU launches “new and ambitious” European Neighbourhood PolicyMay 25, 2011 - 19:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 25, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, and Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, launched a “new and ambitious” European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), backed by more than €1.2 billion in new funding, bringing the total to almost €7 billion and confirming the EU’s determined and reinforced engagement with its neighbours. Today's proposal by the European External Action Service and the European Commission to Member States and the European Parliament sets out the main priorities and directions of a revitalised ENP strategy, which seeks to strengthen individual and regional relationships between the EU and countries in its neighbourhood through a ‘more funds for more reform’ approach – making more additional funds available, but with more mutual accountability. On top of the €5.7 billion already allocated for the period 2011-2013, additional funding of €1.24 billion has been transferred from other existing resources, and will now be made available in support of the ENP, Ashton announced. In addition, she said the European Council had agreed to her proposal to increase European Investment Bank (EIB) lending to the Southern Mediterranean by €1 billion over the same period. The EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) also backed her request to extend their operations into the southern Mediterranean region, starting with Egypt. Their expectation is that annual lending volumes could reach around €2.5 billion a year by 2013. Announcing the policy review, HR Ashton stressed how important the neighbourhood was to the European Union, quoting the first line of the document: “To the East and South of the European Union (EU) lie sixteen countries whose hopes and futures make a direct and significant difference to us.” The renewed ENP builds on the achievements the EU's Neighbourhood Policy since it was first launched in 2004, offering new types of support for more sections of society, and introducing more incentives to pursue reform, ENPI Info Center reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |