Overview of the status and progress with the National Action Plans Pauline Denissel Neighbourhood Programme Assistant (WWF EPO) 28th November 2006

What is an Action Plan? (1) A “contract” agreed between the EU and the national government Legal basis: the Association Agreement of Partnership or Cooperation Agreement setting out an agenda of political and economic reforms with short and medium- term priorities Timeframe: 3-5 years

What is an Action Plan? (2) Tailor-made to reflect the particular circumstances and objectives of each partner country (nevertheless they are all very similar…) Do not contain anything that does not have the full approval of both sides, Requires a mutual commitment to common values between EU and ENP countries All components are NOT automatically implemented with EU funds.

General Objectives political dialogue and reform economic and social development and reform regulatory and trade related issues justice and home affairs key sectors: transport, energy, information society and environment people-to-people contacts.

A dynamic process Implementation is monitored through sub-Committees COM issues periodic reports on progress and on areas requiring further progress The Action Plans can be regularly amended on a joint basis, and/or updated to reflect progress First review of Action Plans (2 years after adoption): decision on adaptation and renewal Second report by COM (end of 5 years): decision on next steps in development of bilateral relations Revision of AP according to assessment

Current status of Action Plans Adopted December 2004: Moldova, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestinian Authority, Israel Adopted 14 November 2006: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia Being drafted now (to be adopted early 2007): Egypt and Lebanon Not yet initiated: Belarus, Libya, Syria and Algeria

Content of Action Plans All have a common structure and chapter headings Most have text that opens the way for promoting civil society access to information and participation in environmental decision-making (though these words are not used!) All have a section on the environment All have text on promotion of sustainable development All have short sections dealing with cross- border/regional cooperation, notably in the field of environment

The Action Plans and Sustainable Development “The privileged relationship with neighbours will build on mutual commitment to common values principally within the fields of the rule of law, good governance, the respect for human rights, including minority rights, the promotion of good neighbourly relations, and the principles of market economy and sustainable development.” The European Neighbourhood Policy Strategy Paper (COM (2004) 373), 12 May 2004.

Sustainable development chapter Sustainable development chapter ex: Action Plan Armenia. “4.3 Economic and social reform, poverty reduction and sustainable development {…} Promotion of sustainable development Develop a National Strategy on Sustainable Development; Establish administrative structures and procedures to ensure strategic planning of sustainable development and co-ordination between relevant actors; Take steps to improve integration of environmental considerations into other policy sectors {particularly industry, energy, transport, regional development and agriculture}”

“The Action Plans will contain a number of priorities intended to strengthen commitment to these {shared} values. These include: {…} support for the development of civil society;” The European Neighbourhood Policy Strategy Paper (COM (2004) 373), 12 May 2004 The Action Plans and civil society

Civil society in the Action Plans ( Civil society in the Action Plans (1) Under Objective “Political Dialogue and Reform” (Ukraine AP) “(5) Foster the development of civil society. {…}” Under Objective “People to people contacts” (Israel AP) “4. Promote civil society co-operation – Development of EU-Israel links between civil society organisation and NGOs (symposia, workshops) {…}” In priority Area 3 (Azerbaijan AP) “Promote growth of civil society and its organised forms (human rights NGOs, associations, etc). Alleviate the current cumbersome procedures required for NGO registration;”

Civil Society in the Action Plans (2) Under Objective “Transport, energy, telecommunications, environment, and Research, development and innovation” (Moldova AP) “Establish procedures regarding access to environmental information and public participation, including implementation of the Aarhus Convention, {particularly by establishing structures and procedures for ensuring an acceptable level of service to those wishing to have access to information}.”

The Action Plans and the Environment “Action Plans will promote good environmental governance in partner countries to prevent environmental degradation and pollution, protect human health, and achieve a more rational use of natural resources.”* *The European Neighbourhood Policy Strategy Paper (COM (2004) 373), 12 May 2004 The Strategy: -identifies the key areas, such as water quality, waste management, air pollution and the fight against desertification - highlights the need of regional cooperation and ratification and implementation of the international agreements.

Improvements on environment

Environmental chapter “4.6.4 Environment Take steps to ensure that conditions for good environmental governance are set and start implementing them {...} Take action for prevention of deterioration of the environment, protection of human health, and achievement of rational use of natural resources in line with the commitments of Johannesburg Summit {…} Enhance co-operation on environmental issues {…}”

Main comments on environment Main environmental priorities: water resources, waste management, air and industrial pollution... Cooperation on environmental issues: climate change, EU Water Initiative, Danube-Black Sea force on transboundary approach to water management...

General conclusions on the AP Assessment Action Plans greener… Environment in regional cooperation is increasingly acknowledged BUT little integration of environmental concerns in other sectors (transport, energy…) SD is not sufficiently reflected as an overarching goal OUR IMPACT?

Next steps: (Under German Presidency) Communication from the Commission with :  Progress report on implementing existing ENP Action Plans with 11 partner countries to be published  Specific proposals for successor arrangements with Ukraine, Moldova and Israel, whose Action Plans will expire in © WWF-Canon / Michel GUNTHER

Next steps:  Adoption AP for Egypt and Lebanon (2007)  Evaluation of new AP 2 years after their adoption (Caucasus countries in 2008)  Revision of Action Plans (2007 and 2009)  Periodic reports on the implementation of Action Plans  Negotiation with remaining countries (Syria and Libya and Algeria) © WWF-Canon / Michel GUNTHER

Thanks for your attention Pauline Denissel Neighbourhood Programme Assistant WWF EPO