Spokesperson for the European Commission Margaritis Shinas in Brussels announced that on March 4, 2015, will start consultations on the future of the European Neighborhood Policy:
“EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini will present the future approach on the European Neighborhood Policy”, he said
The EU press service informs that this decision is made because the region has undergone significant changes and there is the necessity to review the principles of the policy and instruments that are used.
“Now it is important to carry out a fundamental review of the principles on which the policy is based, as well as how the appropriate tools can be used. The goal is to carry out extensive consultations with partner countries, as well as with the EU members by the end of June,” the EC’s press office said in a press release.
The European Union plans to provide for the development of Neighbourhood Policy 15.4 billion euros over the years 2014-2020. The Neighbourhood Policy provides the funding for the 16 partner countries among which Ukraine is the biggest. The principle of funding will be based on progress of individual countries in the movement for democracy and respect for human rights.
The European Neighborhood Policy was last reviewed in 2011. The public consultations with the members and partners of EU will last until July 2015, and their results to be published in autumn 2015.
