News: Füle: EU's support to partners in transition links values with economic and social progress
Discussion details
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, highlighted the importance of the role of International Financing Institutions, in particular the EBRD, in assisting countries in their transition into free, open and stable societies.
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European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, highlighted the importance of the role of International Financing Institutions, in particular the EBRD, in assisting countries in their transition into free, open and stable societies. Speaking at the EBRD Annual meeting in Poland on 14 May, he underlined the EU’s efforts to respond to the Arab revolutions with the European Neighbourhood Policy being the centrepiece of the EU’s relations with these countries.
“Following the EU's adoption of a Partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean in 2011, we have increased financial assistance for those partners demonstrating greater commitment to reforms, and offered greater trade and mobility opportunities based on more for more principles,” said the Commissioner, adding:“Significant investments have also been made by the IFIs in the Southern Neighbourhood, and I welcome the EBRD's greater engagement in the region.”
He referred to Tunisia and Morocco as moving forward but where greater support and investments are needed. “In Tunisia, the democratic transition has moved forward thanks to inclusive dialogue. To make Tunisia a success story we need greater support to tackle the current economic challenges. In Morocco reforms have also progressed; the country has embarked in negotiations of an economic integration agreement with the EU, which will require significant investments. Both countries have signed mobility partnerships.”
However, the Commissioner said the transition has been much slower in Egypt and that the political instability is delaying the economic recovery in Libya, a country that offers substantial investment opportunities. “And then there is the continuing horror in Syria,” he said.
Füle thanked the EBRD for delivering effective and concrete support at this crucial moment in Europe. “During the last couple of years we have strategically aligned our operations in the neighbourhood – including blending mechanism – we have changed the perspectives. The EU does not only act anymore on the demanding side and EBRD only as an executing agency but it is rather a partnership where you have an increasing say in our shaping of neighbourhood policies.”
“Strong cooperation between all international actors will continue to be key to addressing challenges and I can ensure you that the European Commission is committed to continue this successful cooperation”, concluded the Commissioner.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in 1991 in response to major changes in the political and economic climate in central and Eastern Europe following the fall of the Berlin wall. In 2011, in response to the events of the Arab Spring, it agreed to extend its operations into the southern Mediterranean region. The EBRD finances projects, primarily in the private sector, that serve the transition to market economies and pluralisti
c democratic societies. The Bank is owned by 61 countries, the European Union and the European Investment Bank. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
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Füle speech
EBRD - website
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