26.05.08: Poland and Sweden defend 'Eastern initiative - The Diigo Meta page

• 30 May 08
  

  Prof. Dr Wolfgang Schumann

  eu-policies cfsp eastern_partnership eu-policy_memberstates poland sweden

  • A new proposal by Sweden and Poland to strengthen the EU's ties with its eastern neighbours to be officially presented today is not meant to undermine but rather enhance existing EU policies, according to a draft paper obtained by EurActiv.
  • Mirroring the countries already covered by the ENP scheme, the new initiative aims to improve ties with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and particularly Ukraine. The draft paper suggests that a new Enhanced Partnership Agreement (EPA) currently being negotiated with Ukraine "could serve as a reference" for other countries. 
  • The new initiative is seen as a complement to the French-driven 'Union for the Mediterranean' proposal, but unlike the original French vision, the Polish-Swedish proposal clearly states that it would be embedded into existing EU structures and does not seek additional funding but is financed solely out of the ENP budget.

  • Links

     
     Governments 
     
    • Ukrainian Mission to the EU: STATEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF UKRAINE REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EASTERN DIMENSION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY 
     
    • Joint Polish-Swedish proposal Draft Paper

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