By Sarah Collins - 2nd April 2008
External relations chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner has announced the EU will "top up" financial assistance to Ukraine, Moldova, Israel and Morocco.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the Austrian commissioner said that the EU was "working on a targeted deepening of relations with some of our partners.
"Based on their progress and ambition we want to go significantly further with these four countries."
Ferrero-Waldner said the sums, which have yet to be decided, will not be huge – but "not just symbolic", either.
They form part of the budget of the European neighbourhood policy (ENP), the EU’s framework foreign policy to cover its eastern and southern neighbours.
She said the EU "will continue intensive work with the other countries" that were not singled out for extra funding.
Ferrero-Waldner made the comments at the launch of a policy paper on how the ENP had functioned in its 16 regions in 2007. As part of the launch, the commission released progress reports on 12 countries that currently have action plans under the ENP.
The results, said the commissioner, are positive, but there is still much left to do.
"Progress on the ground over the last year has been remarkable in many countries and our relations with our neighbours to the south and east are becoming more intense and fruitful by the day.
"But much also remains to be done. Our partners need to and can do more on the basis of these action plans."
Ukraine, which has seen various political and energy crises over the last few months, continued to make progress in most areas, said the report, but slowed down its pace of reform due to political instability.
The commission has launched a new enhanced agreement with the country and the two sides are in talks about a free trade area.
The EU is also discussing a new agreement with Moldova, which should go beyond the partnership and cooperation agreement that is part of the ENP.
Also under discussion are an "advanced status" for Morocco, which could include the freer movement of people, and a "special status" for Israel, which would mean increased political dialogue and further involvement of the country in the EU’s economy and market.
Other areas with action plans under the ENP include Jordan, Tunisia, Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory.
No action plans have yet been agreed with Algeria, Libya, Syria and Belarus, but the commission says that "advances in taking relations forward" have been made.
"The European neighbourhood policy brings results," concluded Ferrero-Waldner. "For our partners and for our citizens in increased prosperity and stability.
"We want to create a ring of friends around us."
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