All South! Six countries propose to reorient European policy
Six countries (France, Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus and Slovenia) (*) presented, on February 20, to their European colleagues to reorient European policy towards the countries of the southern Mediterranean ("our southern shore"), in the wake of what was decided by the European Council on 4 February.
The signatories also highlight disparities in the envelope in the neighborhood policy of the European Union which are "today difficult to justify and sustain": Europe thus spends €1,8/inhabitant/year for Egypt; €7/inhabitant/year for Tunisia; €25/inhabitant/year for Moldova!
This document, this "non paper" in diplomatic jargon, is based on a few principles:
- the differentiation : countries which would be more in phase with the "values" of the EU should be privileged (a principle supported by Berlin which has proposed its own document).
- the flexibility : keep a certain flexibility in the European aid instruments to allow "react to the news".
- a global offer : who would understand "assistance with the transformation of the political, economic and social models of the countries of the South, as well as the reform of their institutions" ; a "cooperation in the fight against organized crime, illicit trafficking and illegal immigration"; support for civil societies; political dialogue (with Association Councils that are truly devoted to substantive issues and more frequent visits by the High Representative).
- a "Mediterranean" strategy" like the Danube strategy which would integrate the objectives of the UfM (Union for the Mediterranean). The UfM projects would thus see a second life by reviewing some of the procedures, in particular the post of Deputy Secretary General.
- a increase in financial means, by revisiting the various European funds: the neighborhood instrument must be reviewed, funds from the Instrument on Stability, the CFSP budget, and even development cooperation (DCI) should be able to be used, develop programs cross-border under the structural funds, mobilize funds from the European Investment Bank (EIB), ...
(*) The composition of these signatories is interesting because we do not find Italy which is a little cavalier apart on the Libyan as well as Egyptian file. On the other hand, we find Slovenia, which illustrates the persistence of a certain Arab policy resulting from the Yugoslav tradition.
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