ENP 2008

Further efforts from the EU side are necessary to make a reality of the proposals already made to strengthen the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The Commissioner for External Relations sets the following objectives for 2008 and beyond:

• Greater political commitment to foster economic integration and improve market access. The Communication calls on Member States to support ongoing agricultural negotiations, in particular limiting the number of products excluded from full liberalisation.
• The facilitation of legitimate short-term travel, as well as more ambitious longer term developments in managed migration. The Commission urges the Council and the European Parliament to adopt its 2006 " package" on visas, and to make full use of the opportunities under existing rules to facilitate travel.
• Further engagement with ENP partners in tackling frozen conflicts, using the full range of instruments at the EU's disposal, to stabilise conflict and post-conflict areas.
• Intensified EU support for partner countries’ sectoral reforms in areas such as: energy, climate change, fisheries, transport, maritime policy, research, information society, education, employment and social policy.