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EU seeks neighborhood deals with Egypt, Lebanon, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
AP Worldstream
Mar 02, 2005
The European Union head office on Wednesday proposed strengthening
economic, trade and security ties with Egypt, Lebanon, Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
The European Commission outlined the agreements it wants to see
negotiated with those five countries as part of a "European
Neighborhood Policy" that aims to draw countries closer _ even without
the prospect of EU membership.
Launched last fall, the "ring of friends" policy offers extensive
cooperation in political, security and economic matters.
The EU already has negotiated neighborhood deals with Israel, Jordan,
Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine.
"The challenge ... will be to turn the commitments and aspirations
contained in such plans into reality, through measurable reforms
bringing concrete benefits for our neighboring countries and their
citizens," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner in recommending negotiations with the five.
High on the EU agenda, she said, were far-reaching economic and
political reform, good governance and respect for human rights. They
must commit to economic reforms, a healthy business and investment
climate as well as trade, market and regulatory reforms, she said.
The reward will be unfettered access to the EU's vast internal market
of more than 450 million consumers.
The neighborhood accords also provide for cooperation in justice,
liberty and security issues which require legal reforms, upgrading
energy, transport and telecommunications networks and cooperation in
environmental issues.
AP Worldstream
Mar 02, 2005
The European Union head office on Wednesday proposed strengthening
economic, trade and security ties with Egypt, Lebanon, Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
The European Commission outlined the agreements it wants to see
negotiated with those five countries as part of a "European
Neighborhood Policy" that aims to draw countries closer _ even without
the prospect of EU membership.
Launched last fall, the "ring of friends" policy offers extensive
cooperation in political, security and economic matters.
The EU already has negotiated neighborhood deals with Israel, Jordan,
Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine.
"The challenge ... will be to turn the commitments and aspirations
contained in such plans into reality, through measurable reforms
bringing concrete benefits for our neighboring countries and their
citizens," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner in recommending negotiations with the five.
High on the EU agenda, she said, were far-reaching economic and
political reform, good governance and respect for human rights. They
must commit to economic reforms, a healthy business and investment
climate as well as trade, market and regulatory reforms, she said.
The reward will be unfettered access to the EU's vast internal market
of more than 450 million consumers.
The neighborhood accords also provide for cooperation in justice,
liberty and security issues which require legal reforms, upgrading
energy, transport and telecommunications networks and cooperation in
environmental issues.