HRDN has published a position paper on the European Commission-led European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) review process under the title ‘The Future of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) – Putting human rights and democracy at the heart of the EU’s engagement with the region’. The statement was shared with officials at the EEA, European Commission and EU member states as well as MEPs.
The main messages of the statement are as follows:
- The EU should do more to promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and international justice in all areas of its external actions without exception. Hence, these issues should be put on the agenda of high level political meetings and summits.
- In addition, the EU should engage with independent civil society organisations in Brussels and in the region as fully-fledged actors of the ENP.
- Since the shrinking space for civil society in ENP partner countries poses a significant challenge to the EU, a strategy for addressing this issue needs to be developed.
- At the same time the EU should work towards greater coherence and consistency in EU external action and ensure greater coordination among EU institutions and member states.
To download the statement please click here.
