The proposal from the European External Action Service and European Commission to Member States and the European Parliament seeks for a new and ambitious European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). It sets out the main priorities and directions of a revitalised ENP strategy which seeks to strengthen individual and regional relationships between the EU and countries in its neighbourhood.

Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Commission Vice-President and Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy launched this new strategy in the Neighbourhood Policy. With regard to this new legislation, Catherine Ashton highlighted that it is vital in the EU, make a comprehensive offer to its neighbours and build lasting partnerships with them. According to Ashton, A partnership between peoples aims at promoting and supporting the development of deep democracy and economic prosperity.

In addition, the European Council has agreed to the HRVP's proposal to increase EIB (European Investment Bank) lending to the Southern Mediterranean by €1 billion over the same period. The EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) backed her request to extend their operations into the Middle East and North Africa region, starting with Egypt. Their expectation is that annual lending volumes could reach around €2.5 billion euros a year by 2013. On top of the €5.7 billion already allocated for the period 2011-2013, additional funding of €1.24 billion has been transferred from other existing resources, and will now be made available in support of the ENP.

On the other hand, Štefan Füle emphasized that the new approach involves a much higher level of differentiation. This will ensure that each partner country develops its links with the EU as far as its own aspirations, needs and capacities allow. Increased EU support to its neighbours is conditional; it will depend on progress in building and consolidating democracy and respect for the rule of law. The more and the faster a country progresses in its internal reforms, the more support it will get from the EU.

This Communication is a culmination of an extensive review and consultation with governments and civil society organizations both within the EU and in the 16 ENP partner countries to Europe’s South and East.  It builds upon the Eastern Partnership, launched in 2009. It further develops the ‘Partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’ which was agreed in March 2011, in immediate response to the upheaval and democratic aspiration currently being seen in North Africa.