External Relations – European Neighbourhood Policy
European Neighbourhood Policy – Southern Dimension
The Southern Dimension is the second pillar of the European Neighborhood Policy and concerns the EU relations with its Mediterranean Partners: Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Palestine. It is governed by the principles of Conditionality and Differentiation, without including an accession perspective for any partner. Differentiation further specializes in the tailor-made approach. The ENP has as its financial tool the European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI), which finances reform projects / actions to ENP beneficiaries.
At the bilateral level, the Southern Dimension of the ENP is specialized through a network of Association Agreements, where the Action Plans, which set out the short- and medium-term priorities in the field of political and economic reforms, are of key importance. At the multilateral level, the Southern Dimension of the ENP is enriched by the "Union for the Mediterranean" (EU), which in 2008 succeeded the Barcelona Process.
Its first revision, in 2011, following the developments of the "Arab Spring", provided for the publication, under the responsibility of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), of Annual Progress Reports, which record and evaluate the approach of each partner country with the EU. The second ENP review, in 2015, emphasized the tailor-made approach of the neighboring partner countries and the creation of a security dimension, in order to address the crises that are raging in the neighborhood.
Responding to current developments in the region, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to "restart" EU relations with the Southern Neighborhood countries. The upgrade process started on 26.11.2020, in a teleconference between the EU and the MS and the southern neighbors. The European Council on 10-11.12.2020 argued that the renewed Southern Neighborhood should be developed on the basis of an upgraded and intensified political dialogue and aimed at strengthening cooperation to address common challenges in order to uphold the core values of the EU ( fundamental rights, democratic governance, etc.) and to safeguard its strategic interests.
On 9.2.2021, the Joint Communication of the EEAS and the Commission was published, which sets long-term policy goals for the Southern Neighborhood region, and in particular, proposes the "New Agenda for the Mediterranean", with the strategic priority of digital and green transition. It is accompanied by an "Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighbors" which proposes the implementation of actions through NDICI (Neighborhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument) and EFSD + (European Fund for Sustainable Development), while seeking to mobilize international financial institutions (EIB, EBRD, IMF, World Bank).
The proposed actions cover the following areas: a. Human rights, rule of law, democracy and good governance, gender equality, human development, health, empowerment of women and youth, b. Support for inclusive, sustainable, sustainable and interconnected economies (emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises, transport, research and innovation, tourism), c. Cooperation for peace and security (protracted conflicts, terrorism, radicalization, organized crime, foreign fighters, hybrid threats, cybercrime, trafficking in human beings and weapons, energy security), d. Migration and mobility (good management, border control, addressing root causes, repatriation, readmission, resettlement, legal migration), e. Green transition, resilience to climate change, energy, environment. The level of European support and funding will depend on the degree of commitment and progress shown by the Southern Partners (conditionality), while programs and actions will be individualized according to the needs and capabilities of the Partners (Diversification).
The Conclusions of the European Council of 19.4.2021 included an explicit reference to the strengthening of the political character of the dialogue with the Southern Neighbors, to respect for international law (including UNCLOS), as well as to cooperation on migration, cybersecurity and hybrid threats and green growth.