Strengthening the European Neighbourhood Policy - Foreshadowing of the covenant with many?

2006-12-10 The European Commission today tabled proposals on new ways to strengthen the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP ). The first 18 months of implementation of the ENP have shown good results. The new position paper aims to increase the impact of the policy, by proposing ways to help partners willing to reform to do so faster and better, and provide incentives to convince those who are still hesitant.

The new proposals are accompanied by progress reports on Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Ukraine and West Bank and Gaza Strip which started to implement their ENP Action Plans in 2005. The Communication will feed into work during the incoming German Presidency in the first half of 2007.

European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: "I believe that our Neighbourhood Policy is bringing real benefits to Israel and today we are offering to the country even more attractive incentives. They will bring the Policy into sharper focus, concentrating on key areas of mutual interest like people to people contacts, deepening economic and trade relations and stronger co operation on energy and transport. The Neighbourhood Policy has made a positive start, but the EU can do much more. We must rise to the challenge of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity of our neighbours."

Today's progress report on Israel takes stock of achievements since the Action Plan was formally adopted in April 2005. Implementing the Action Plan has better defined the path and framework of EU-Israel relations while deepening and strengthening co-operation in a wide spectrum of areas. EU-Israel cooperation has developed in the areas of political dialogue, anti-terrorism, promotion of trade and investment, justice and security, science and technology including space cooperation, as well as higher education. Furthermore technical workshops have been organised on a large number of specific subjects relating, for example, to preventing terrorist financing, promoting judicial and police cooperation, protecting the environment, and combating racism/xenophobia/anti-semitism. From 2007-13 the budget foreseen for the countries of the ENP is €12 billion, 32% more in real terms than in the last budget period. To maximise the impact and leverage of this EU funding the Commission will propose the creation of:

• A Neighbourhood Investment Fund, to which Member States will also be invited to contribute, which would be used to leverage additional lending from the European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other development banks. The contribution from the Community Budget would be €700 million. It is estimated that this fund could encourage lending of several times the amount of grant funding. If Member States were to match the EC contribution, the Fund could generate a considerable amount of concessional lending.

• €300 million will also be set aside for a Governance Facility, to provide additional support on top of normal country allocations to acknowledge and support the work of partner countries who have made most progress in implementing their Action Plans. Today's Communication also proposes:

• A clear perspective for all ENP partners, eastern as well as southern, of deep economic and trade integration with the EU, going beyond free trade in goods and services to address non-tariff barriers and achieving comprehensive regulatory convergence.

• Substantially improved visa procedures for certain types of visitors.

• Ad hoc or regular ministerial and expert level meetings with ENP partners on subjects like energy, transport, the environment and public health. This multilateral approach can usefully complement the bilateral work on which the ENP is based.

• Strengthened political co operation, more systematic association of ENP partners with EU initiatives (foreign policy declarations, positions in international fora as well as participation in key programmes and EU agencies).

• A more active role for the EU in conflict-settlement efforts in the region.

• A strengthened regional approach in the east based on existing Black Sea co operation.

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Personal note: It's more than a coincidence that the time span is from 2007 to 2013 don't you think? Israel for your info is in the ENP & this could be the foreshadowing of the peace covenant with the EU beast to come for 7 years. It's very likely that this is the peace covenant that Israel will make both for it's economic & political stability. Note they mentioned promoting peace & stability for all its members. The Antichrist could just take control of ENP or something like this when the church is raptured & America is out of the way. He will be promoting peace & security but it will be the most tribulational times for many people esp left behind Christians. Many people will be caught surprised by the sudden rapture & advent of Antichrist. People will be going about their business & making money. It will be a prosperous time before the rapture happens & people get left behind. On a sidenote: some people have predicted the stock market to rally to 2008 & then plunge-a 7 year cycle of plenty & poverty. Could it be that the rapture could happen by 2008-in a time of great prosperity for the Europeans? Will America decline in 2007-2008 economically & politically? Will she shut herself up to the world & just meddle only in her home affairs? Could the rapture take out a significant no of people from US & leave it weak, so that the EU takes on a more prominent role in world affairs? We will have to wait to see but it won't be long. Take care & watch!