EU to discuss the future of European Neighborhood Policy with Southern partners

USPA NEWS - High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, will co-chair consultations with Southern ENP partners.

The meeting is jointly hosted by the European Union, including the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council, and Spain, and will be attended by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs both from the EU and the ENP partner countries. It will allow for an in-depth discussion within the framework of the ongoing consultation process on the review of the ENP; the situation in the Southern Neighbourhood will also be discussed, EC said Friday.

"Strong European Neighbourhood Policy is crucially important for both the European union as well as our partners in the East and the South, in a period of great challenges at our borders. EU and its neighbours are called to face a greater instability in many areas and the threat of terrorism that is spreading more and more, causing victims and leaving populations in despair, and often forcing people to leave their countries. The meeting in Barcelona will give us the chance not only to reaffirm our commitment, but to strengthen our cooperation for tackling the common challenges from a political, humanitarian and security point of view,“ said HRVP Federica Mogherini.

“It is our common duty and our common interest. Following the launch of the review of this policy we are keen to discuss with our Southern partners the joint challenges that need to be addressed in the process, but also how to make sure that our partnership continues to grow in the interest of all. This meeting will offer a valuable opportunity for such a discussion; it will also allow us to talk about the situation in the region in light of the various common challenges such to terrorism and migration,“ she added.

"Our Southern neighbours are crucial partners for some of the most pressing current challenges faced by the EU: extremism and terrorism; energy security; irregular migration and much more. The ENP as currently framed does not exploit the full potential of our relationships with these partners, and the current review aims to change this. That is why it is crucial to involve our partners as closely as possible in designing the new European Neighbourhood Policy. The Barcelona meeting is an important opportunity to hear from our partners how they see the way forward," said Commissioner Hahn.