EU Outlines New Policy in Response to Arab Spring

The European Union launched today a new policy proposal for its relations with neighboring countries in Eastern Europe and the countries of the southern Mediterranean. The new policy, known as the European Neighborhood Policy, is a concrete response to the Arab Spring and the aspirations of the countries to the east of the European Union. It increases funding by 1.24 billion euros over the next two years, on top of the 5.7 billion euros already allocated for the period. The proposal, presented today by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy hand European Commission Vice-President, and Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, sets out the main priorities and directions of a revitalized ENP strategy which seeks to strengthen individual and regional relationships between the EU and countries in its neighborhood through a 'more funds for more reform' approach -- making more additional funds available, but with more mutual accountability.