Doc. 11379
18 September 2007
Need for a Council of Europe Neighbourhood policy
Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Ateş and others
This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it |
The European Union launched in 2004 its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), aimed at strengthening the prosperity, stability and security of countries sharing land or sea borders with the Union.
Apart from the traditional economic, financial and social dimensions, the ENP contains such elements as promoting democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights – areas where the Council of Europe competence and expertise are widely recognised as a reference.
A number of countries which are part of the EU’s ENP, such as the countries of Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, are also neighbours to the Council of Europe.
Because of its larger geographical stretch, the Council of Europe has a wider neighbourhood which includes areas of the Middle East and Central Asia.
Our Organisation also needs a coherent policy for relations with neighbouring countries. The aim of such policy would be to share with our neighbours the Council of Europe’s experience in building democracy and in protecting human rights, thus creating more stability and security in the areas around Greater Europe.
As regards the countries which are neighbours of both the Council of Europe and the EU, it would be appropriate to coordinate activities under this new Council of Europe neighbourhood policy with those under the ENP, so as to avoid unnecessary duplications and promote the same set of standards.
The Assembly decides to consider the feasibility of such a policy and the elements which could be part of it.
Signed 1:
1 SOC:
Socialist Group
EPP/CD: Group of the European
People’s Party
ALDE: Alliance of Liberals
and Democrats for Europe
EDG: European Democratic
Group
UEL: Group of the Unified European
Left
NR: not registered in a group