It is a pleasure to be here with you today to exchange views on the priorities and future directions of the European Neighbourhood Policy. I would like to start by making three remarks about the overall policy framework:
First, the ENP is a strategic policy – very much in the European Union's own interest.
Second, the ENP is a prime example of the European Union's comprehensive approach to foreign policy - using all instruments in a coherent way under the umbrella of the ENP – from Common Foreign and Security Policy, to political cooperation, trade policy, and also sector policies such as transport and energy.
Third, ENP support for reform is based on the differentiation of the "more for more" principles; we tailor our response to each partner's needs and ambition and we offer a stronger relationship with the European Union for those partners that make more progress towards reform.
Let me underline that the European Union can only offer incentives to partners for positive change. These incentives come not only in the form of funding, but also in the form of closer political association, sector cooperation, mobility of people and economic integration with the European Union.
However, the European Union cannot impose reforms on partners. It can only support them. The European Union alone cannot shape events in our neighbourhood. There are many other factors at play. Ultimately, it is our partners themselves who have to make their own choices and exercise their own political will.
I am also pleased that funding for the ENP was confirmed at the current levels for the next European Union Multiannual Financial Framework, despite the overall decrease of the European Union budget.
Negotiations for the 2014-2020 European Neighbourhood Instrument regulation are nearing conclusion, and here I want to underline the importance of ensuring sufficient flexibility in the implementation of our financial instrument in the future so that we can react to unpredictable developments in the region. It is also important that both the European Parliament and the Member States finalise negotiations swiftly so that there is no interruption in our financial assistance to partners in 2014.
Keep in mind, this announcement comes right before peace talks begin between Israel and Palestinians. Also keep in mind, that the EU very recently used the ENP framework to set up a boycott of west bank. Also keep in mind, they threatened more economic sanctions if the peace talks fail. It seems they will (and have been) using the ENP multi-national bribery framework to accomplish these objectives.