Neighbourhood Policy: “You are our eyes and ears on the ground”

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Neighbourhood Policy: “You are our eyes and ears on the ground”

March 2, 2016

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Speaking on Monday 29 February 2016 at the opening of the Cooperation Days, which brought together staff from EU Delegations and EC headquarters, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn noted the importance of their mission and the scale of current challenges ahead.

Addressing the staff under his authority, he said: “You are our eyes and ears on the ground (..) Your work is more important than ever given the many crises and challenges we face”.

Hahn added: “This is even more critical as we face multiple, overlapping crises (migration, security, economy etc.), which makes our smart and broad toolbox and our portfolio more important than ever. Let me therefore underline how important it is that we continue to work as a team in HQ and Delegations and continue our very good cooperation with other Commission services and, of course, the EEAS”.

“Because we are all in this endeavour together. Together, we have no choice but to make our Union a true global actor, and move from being a ‘global payer’ to being also a ‘global player’”, said Mr Hahn. “The European Neighbourhood Policy is particularly relevant in this regard”, he said, while recalling the fundamental axes of the ENP: “The central objective of this ‘new ENP’ must be stabilisation (…) Secondly, there will be more differentiation in the new ENP. That means working more pragmatically and effectively with each partner.” “The revised ENP is therefore a real opportunity to strengthen our cooperation through an agreed number of joint priorities with partner countries”, he said, adding that a “lack of economic opportunities is often at the heart of instability, so economic development is a third key priority”. “Let me be clear on one point: We will continue to uphold and promote EU principles and universal human rights”, Hahn stressed.

He also mentioned the financial aspects: “Our programming of financial assistance should fully reflect the priorities that we will agree with each of our partners. We will also increase the flexibility of our assistance, to respond better to crises and unforeseen developments. The super-tanker of EU aid must become more flexible!”

In conclusion, Hahn said: “We are not going to solve all problems overnight, but if we continue to work step by step, we will – all of us, all of you – be able to contribute and make a difference.”

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/news_corner/news/2016/02/20160229_en.htm

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