Viitorul Parteneriatului estic din perspectivă locală și regională
Opinion factsheet
Pe această pagină
- Relații externe, extindere și politica de vecinătate
- Parteneriatul estic
Opinion number:
CDR-5113-2022
Status:
Adoptat
Objective
to express CoR stance towards the future of the Eastern Partnership - "here to stay", with an enhanced role of the CoR and EU LRAs
consequently, to demand continuation of CORLEAP functioning, with a differentiated approach towards the EaP partners that are, or are not also EU candidate countries
consequently, to demand continuation of CORLEAP functioning, with a differentiated approach towards the EaP partners that are, or are not also EU candidate countries
Impact
The European Commission's follow-up on this CoR opinion was published on 5 July 2024. Main points:
The Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) have been discussing with Member States, partners and other stakeholders the implementation of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), especially against the background of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as well as the EU accession perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. At the EaP Foreign Ministers meeting on 12 December 2022, partners and Member States agreed on the continued relevance of the EaP1
and its Recovery, Resilience, and Reform agenda albeit in a streamlined, focused, strategic form.
The Commission will continue to consult with local authorities during the different stages of the programming process while taking into account the new and changing reality in the region.
During the EaP Ministerial meeting on 12 December 2022, Member States and partners expressed their preference for a more streamlined institutional framework which is tailor-made to the current and evolving priorities and which focuses on tangible benefits for citizens.
In accordance with the CoR opinion's recommendations, Member States and partners have expressed an interest in cooperation between the EaP and Central Asia, the wider Black Sea region and the Western Balkans in areas of common interest such as enlargement and connectivity.
The Commission is already discussing with the Committee how to engage local administrations and their expertise in TAIEX activities more effectively. Even though so far, TAIEX local activities have taken place in the Western Balkans, the Commission intends to respond positively to the increasing demand by Eastern Partnership
countries. The Commission encourages the Committee to regularly inform the Commission about their available expertise and on the needs of their partner local authorities.
The Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) have been discussing with Member States, partners and other stakeholders the implementation of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), especially against the background of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as well as the EU accession perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. At the EaP Foreign Ministers meeting on 12 December 2022, partners and Member States agreed on the continued relevance of the EaP1
and its Recovery, Resilience, and Reform agenda albeit in a streamlined, focused, strategic form.
The Commission will continue to consult with local authorities during the different stages of the programming process while taking into account the new and changing reality in the region.
During the EaP Ministerial meeting on 12 December 2022, Member States and partners expressed their preference for a more streamlined institutional framework which is tailor-made to the current and evolving priorities and which focuses on tangible benefits for citizens.
In accordance with the CoR opinion's recommendations, Member States and partners have expressed an interest in cooperation between the EaP and Central Asia, the wider Black Sea region and the Western Balkans in areas of common interest such as enlargement and connectivity.
The Commission is already discussing with the Committee how to engage local administrations and their expertise in TAIEX activities more effectively. Even though so far, TAIEX local activities have taken place in the Western Balkans, the Commission intends to respond positively to the increasing demand by Eastern Partnership
countries. The Commission encourages the Committee to regularly inform the Commission about their available expertise and on the needs of their partner local authorities.
Essential points
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
urgent need for the EU to support the free and democratic path of countries in the EU's neighbourhood more firmly;
there is a commitment among EU Member States and the current Eastern European Partner countries […] to continue, renew and strengthen the Eastern Partnership (EaP) so that it remains the leading forum and framework for cooperation with the neighbouring countries east of the EU;
the most powerful long-term European response to the Russian invasion will be free and democratic states in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and beyond, with strong regional and local authorities, economically vibrant cities and societies committed to European values;
the "fundamentals" should remain the common ground for bringing the Eastern Partnership closer together, i.e. a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, while continuing to work on shared objectives such as promoting gender equality, protection of minorities and language rights, counteracting climate change, advancing the green and digital transitions, supporting a strong and independent civil society, increasing resilience and prosperity, and deepening economic relations;
points to the significant role that regional and local authorities can play in defending the "fundamentals" in regions and local communities, and in attaining the shared objectives, guaranteeing at the same time the subsidiarity principle of the EU by bringing local citizens closer to the European Union and its values;
acknowledges that the EaP remains a relevant framework, which has not exhausted its full regional potential and can continue to have a purpose for all partners, based on differentiated objectives towards the EU. Flexible formats and tools within that framework should complement the needs of both the new EU candidate countries and the other partners […]