Following the European Council in Thessaloniki, which endorsed the approach proposed by the European Commission for strengthening relations with the new neighbours of the enlarged EU, the Commission today took important decisions on the implementation of its policy for “Wider Europe”. Commissioner Günter Verheugen, assisted by a « Wider Europe Task Force », will be in charge of further developing the political concept of a new neighbourhood policy and of drawing up action plans with the countries and regions concerned (Eastern European and Southern Mediterranean countries). Commissioner Chris Patten retains the overall responsibility for external relations, including bilateral relations with those countries.

The Commission's Communication on Wider Europe1 sets out an ambitious vision for upgrading political and economic relations with the eastern and southern neighbours of the enlarged EU. In return for concrete progress demonstrating shared values and effective implementation of political, economic and institutional reforms, all these neighbouring countries should be offered the prospect of a stake in the EU's internal market, as well as other advanced forms of co-operation in key fields of mutual interest.

This should include further integration and liberalisation to promote the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, as the countries concerned make progress against agreed benchmarks and targets contained in individual action plans taking account of their specific circumstances. The plans will set objectives and benchmarks for national political, economic and legislative reforms, with undertakings from the EU side on how we shall respond when targets are met. Making a success of this initiative will be one of the most significant challenges for the EU's external policy over the coming years.

Establishment of a Wider Europe Task Force

In order to maintain the momentum needed to ensure the support of Member States and the countries concerned, the Commission today decided to create a Wider Europe Task Force, which will : further develop the political concept of a new neighbourhood policy ; draw up action plans for the regions and countries concerned (Eastern European and the southern Mediterranean countries) in consultation with these countries ; pilot the action plans through inter-service consultations ; prepare proposals for the new “neighbourhood instrument” which will finance joint projects involving the enlarged EU and neighbouring countries ; draw up plans for handling “Wider Europe” policy in the next Commission. This Task Force will report to Commissioner Günter Verheugen. It will be headed by Mr Michael Leigh, Deputy Director General in DG External Relations. The Deputy Head of the Task Force will be a Director from DG Enlargement. The Task Force will be composed of officials from both Directorate Generals, who will remain attached to their services of origin.

Responsibility of Commissioner Verheugen

Within the context of the Commission's overall bilateral relations with the countries concerned, Mr Verheugen will:

·         Provide political guidance to the Wider Europe Task Force

·         keep the Commission informed of progress on the Wider Europe initiative and present the necessary proposals to the Commission

·         represent the Commission in discussions on Wider Europe in Council, including the presentation of Action Plans for the countries or regions concerned

·         consult the countries concerned, as needed, on the draft Action Plans

·         co-chair the EU High Level Group with Russia on the Common European Economic Space

·         with Mr Patten, approve and present to the Commission the Opinion on Croatia's application for membership

Mr Patten and Mr Verheugen will both attend Association Councils, Co-operation Councils, Summits and Ministerial-level political dialogue with the countries concerned, with burden-sharing as appropriate.

Preparation of the Opinion on Croatia's Application for Membership

The Commission also decided to create an Inter Service Group (ISG) for the preparation of the Commission Opinion on Croatia's application for membership, headed by Mr Michael Leigh, Deputy Director General in DG External Relations, who will report on this issue both to Commissioner Patten and to Commissioner Verheugen. The ISG will consist of representatives of all relevant Commission services. The task of the ISG will be to co-ordinate the preparation of the Opinion.

1 See IP/03/358