EU Neighbourhood Info Centre

An ENPI project Talking about the Neighbourhood

Interview with Marcus Cornaro

The EU and the Arab Spring

Helping a new generation build a new society

We are not there to make revolutions but we are there to make sure revolutions dont get stolen from their people, says Marcus Cornaro, Neighbourhood Director at the European Commissions DG EuropeAid, in an interview with the ENPI Info Centre on the EUs response to the events of the Arab Spring.
What is the EU response to the Arab Spring? The EU recognises the importance of its southern Neighbourhood and the events taking place in the region, and it was therefore quick to react to the changes prompted by the Arab Spring and to recognise the challenges of political and economic transition faced by the region. This was a window of opportunity for the EU to revise its approach to cooperation with the partner countries in the region, giving additional momentum to peoples will, and ensuring that their revolutions live up to their aspirations. So, what did the EU do? A number of actions and decisions were taken to address the changing circumstances. An additional funding of up to 1 billion was adopted for the Neighbourhood as a whole. This is on top of the 5.7 billion already programmed for the Neighbourhood for 2011-2013. In sum, the EU has increased its funding for cooperation with its southern Neighbourhood by 20%. Its a tight balancing act and a sign of generosity in times of crisis. Thanks to a combined effort from the Commission and the member states, funds have been shifted and downsized in other areas in favour of an increase of funding for the Southern Mediterranean region. Whats more, its important to note also that additional money is just part of a wider incentive-based offer, which also covers the prospect of better market access and enhanced mobility.
This publication does not represent the official view of the EC or the EU institutions. The EC accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to its content.

On what did you focus? This additional funding includes a new package for the southern Neighbourhood consisting of a new programme Support for Partnership Reform and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) with a budget of 350 million for 2011 and 2012; a Civil Society Facility (covering both the southern and eastern Neighbourhood) with a budget of 12 million for the southern neighbours in 2011; and an allocation of 82.5 million for the reinforcement of the Erasmus Mundus and Tempus programmes during the period 2011-2013. How do these extra resources materialise on the ground? In Tunisia, for example, the EU has been assisting in setting up the electoral process and is providing advice on judiciary system reforms. A Support for recovery programme (Programme dappui la relance - PAR) has been launched with an EU grant of 100 million together with loans amounting to
This is a series of interviews with people involved in the Neighbourhood, prepared by the EU Neighbourhood Info Centre 2012

Interview with Marcus Cornaro EU Neighbourhood Info Centre - An ENPI project

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The EU has increased its funding for cooperation with its southern Neighbourhood by 20%.

900 million from other partners. Another programme of 20 million is intended to facilitate democratic transition by reducing social inequalities in less favoured areas of Tunisia and providing support to microfinance institutions. Tunisia has already been allocated 20 million in the framework of the SPRING programme, 10 million for support to economic recovery and 10 million for reform priorities. Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco are also expected to benefit from SPRING in 2012. What about Libya? Libya is now eligible for regional funding although it still has a special status and an EU-Libya action plan has not been finalised yet. Three main programmes have already been signed: a European NGO cooperation programme for capacity building, a technical assistance facility for the Libyan government, and an initiative for reinforced activities in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Besides, Libyan journalists have benefited from training through the European Neighbourhood Journalism Network and EU AIDS projects have been implemented in the country. What is the expected impact on citizens? The objectives of EU actions are designed to meet citizens expectations and to support partner countries in building democratic systems; this means allowing citizens to have access to democratic values such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and of the press, and a fairer and independent judiciary system. Programmes aimed at economic recovery will support the creation of jobs and facilitate the setting up of small businesses, whereas education and vocational training programmes are designed to provide young people with more appropriate qualifications and increase their employment opportunities. If you had to name one main initiative in each country For Tunisia, economic progress is key, whereas in Libya the focus is on civil society outreach and capacity building. In Egypt, the transitional government expressed a strong request in the field of housing, while cooperation with Jordan is more focused on vocational training and youth employment. For Morocco, an EU-Morocco protocol is about to be signed on ensuring the success of the advanced status (Russir le statut avanc).

The objectives eighbourhood Info Centre of EU actions What are the main challenges? are designed to I would project An ENPIsay the challenge is applying the principle of differentiation as the EUs intention is to ensure each meet citizens countrys needs and priorities are accounted for, and also being able to time our action well. Libya, for expectations example, is still without a government and will need a great deal of support in all areas before the situation and to support gets back to normal. In the case of Syria, the situation is very worrying and the EU has suspended cooperapartner tion with the country, except under the Erasmus Mundus and Tempus programmes. countries Three priorities for 2012? in building Job creation and providing young people with opportunities to build a better life are certainly the top democratic priority for 2012. systems The second is strengthening the capacities of civil society in the partner countries and reinforcing its role

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and participation in policy dialogue and public accountability. A third priority is that the new EU more-for-more approach for cooperation with neighbouring countries should be perceived as an opportunity and not as an additional conditionality. It is based not only on more commitment from parties, mutual accountability and a stronger principle of differentiation on the needs of the country, but also on its commitment to achieving democratic change and economic growth. Find out more EU Neighbourhood Info Centre

An ENPI Programme fiche www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=394&id_type=10 SPRING project

Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility fiche www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=393&id_type=10

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre

An ENPI project
The EU Neighbourhood Info Centre is an EU-funded Regional Information and Communication project highlighting the partnership between the EU and Neighbouring countries. The project is managed by Action Global Communications.

www.enpi-info.eu