"More determined political commitment to promote economic integration"; "further commitment to solve dormant conflicts"; more support to industry reforms in the partner countries, in the areas of energy, fishing, transport, research, education and social policy, among others. These are some of the goals that have been set out by the EU Commission as part of its "neighbouring policy" for the following countries: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. A release has been issued today to this effect by the EU Executive, highlighting that "the EU must work harder" next year, "to fulfil its obligations". The commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, insists in particular on three areas: trade, people’s mobility, resolution of conflicts in the countries bordering on the EU. "Several measures have been planned for 2008 to strengthen industry reforms" in the neighbouring countries, and next spring "stock should be taken" of the progress made. The EU Commission also decided to allocate "50 million euros to the investment fund for the neighbouring policy" "to be used by the end of the year".
