Neighbourhood policy: EPP Group calls for tailor-made responses to the situation in different regions

The security and stabilisation of the EU's neighbourhood are the main priorities of the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) presented today by the European Commission. The EPP Group supports their proposal and calls for adequate and tailor-made responses to the situation in different regions of the neighbourhood, with the primary goal of generating stability and enhancing the resilience of their states and societies.

"Our ability to stabilise the neighbourhood in the years to come will be a key test for the EU globally. The ENP will be an important element in the implementation of the new Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy. It also has the potential to be a big step in the right direction on the way to ensuring security and stability for Europe and its neighbours," stressed Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group responsible for Neighbourhood Policy and Euronest.

Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group responsible for relations with Mediterranean countries, Mariya Gabriel MEP, welcomes the change of approach reflected in the revised proposal: "Fewer but stronger priorities are better for the effectiveness and flexibility of action in the EU's neighbourhood. Indeed our policies, including the ENP, must put forward concrete initiatives and measures addressing targeted challenges, jointly identified with each country in order to make full use of the differentiation principle. Through focused action and tangible results, we will also increase the visibility of the European Union in our neighbourhood."

The European Commission will also have to find a way to better coordinate with Member States: "As the ENP and the external action of the Union in general are gaining importance in providing security for European citizens, the mid-term review of external financial instruments should reflect the need for more resources and more flexibility in the implementation of the policy," added Sandra Kalniete.

The EPP Group welcomes the emphasis put on skills and education as a way to prevent radicalisation: "Security challenges cannot only be addressed through security tools, in particular in the field of counter-terrorism and the prevention of radicalisation. Education plays a key role and the new ENP must enable us and our partners to use it as a means of social integration and as a channel for the transmission of common values, such as peace, democracy and freedom," concluded Maryia Gabriel.