Support for the Southern neighbourhood

The Foreign Affairs Council, meeting on 1 December, took stock of the EU's support for the processes of transition in the Southern Mediterranean and reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union to establishing a new partnership with the Southern neighbours, based on mutual accountability and adherence to universal values.

© Volodymyr Vasylkiv, Fotolia.com

The EU's support focuses on closer political association, assistance in economic and social reforms, improved mobility and better market access. 350 million euros have been allocated in aid for democratic transformation, institution building and economic growth for 2011 and 2012.

In the conclusions adopted at the meeting, the EU offers more support to partners who make greater commitments and more progress towards democratic reform. Partners who deliver on reforms building democracy and inclusive economic development could profit from closer political association, assistance in economic and social reforms and progressive economic integration into the EU's internal market.

Dialogues on migration, mobility and security have been initiated with Tunisia and Morocco. The Commission has proposed negotiation mandates for free trade agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. In addition, the EU supports civil society in order to promote reform and increase public accountability in these countries. 12 million euros are earmarked for the Southern neighbourhood in the "Neighbourhood civil society facility", which has a total budget of 26.4 million euros.

More information:
Press release (pdf)
Press conference webcast