The European Journalism Centre and the European Commission invite you to attend a three-day background briefing on the current state of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the key EU policy framework for its relations with the eastern and southern neighbouring countries.
The seminar will take place from 14 – 16 May 2012 in Brussels.

Since its launch in 2004, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) has promoted a variety of important initiatives, particularly on the trade and economic front, which have allowed the EU and its neighbours to develop stronger relationships in a number of policy fields, from energy to education, from transport to research.

However, in the wake of the recent developments throughout the Southern Mediterranean the ENP has undergone a major policy review in order to be made more effective. In May 2011 the European Commission presented the priorities and directions of the renewed ENP, which is designed to strengthen the political dialogue with the partners with more funds, greater accountability and a higher level of differentiation.

The seminar, which targets journalists from the EU27 countries, will take a closer look at past achievements and future challenges of the ENP, discuss EU’s presence in the eastern neighbourhood and delve into EU’s policy towards its southern neighbourhood following the uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East.

The three-day event will bring together senior policy makers from EU institutions, diplomats and experts from leading European NGO, think tank and academic communities, such as European Council on Foreign Relations, European Policy Centre and Centre for European Policy Studies. Participating journalists will get the opportunity to attend the press conference on the ENP progress reports, on the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2011, which will be hosted by Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.

A more detailed seminar programme will be available shortly. Please note that travel and accommodation will be covered by the European Commission.

Please note that for this seminar only journalists from EU countries are eligible.

For further programme information, please contact Biba Klomp ([email protected]).

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