The European Neighborhood Policy needs to be adjusted in terms of its objectives, interests, instruments and relevant players, said Romanian MEP Andi Cristea, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In this connection, the MEP said in Strasbourg that Moldova made the most significant progress in coming closer to the EU among the EaP member states. He assured that the country will receive the necessary attention from the EU through larger European financing, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the office of the Romanian MEP.
The European Neighborhood Policy was designed in 2003 in a move to share the benefits of the EU with neighboring countries, thus strengthening stability, security and well-being. However, over the last ten years, the EU’s neighborhood has changed from political viewpoint, becoming increasingly unstable both because of the challenges experienced by the Eastern countries (Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, and Ukraine) and of the conflicts in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The new European Neighborhood Instrument, with a budget of €15.4 billion for 2014-2020, ensures the financing of the 16 partner countries of the European Neighborhood Policy.
According to the MEP, there are numerous fields in which determined steps are required. Security is definitely a vital problem. Its dimension, determined by active and frozen conflicts, is a reality both for the countries from the east of the EU and from its south.
As a result of the consultations that will follow the presentation of the Green Charter, which was published by the European Commission to stimulate discussions on subjects of major interest, the final proposals concerning the revision of the European Neighborhood Policy will be published in autumn. The European Parliament will adopt its own report on the revision of the European Neighborhood Policy in June.
