Ansamed

The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – known as the ENPI – is the main financial mechanism through which assistance is given to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Partner Countries, as well as Russia. It is the cooperation instrument, managed by EuropeAid, through which decisions taken on a political level are turned into actions on the ground.

Operational since January 2007, the ENPI has replaced the MEDA instrument that was supporting the Euro-Med Partnership and the TACIS instrument for the Eastern neighbours, as well as other financial mechanisms.

The overarching aim of the ENPI is to create an area of shared values, stability and prosperity, enhanced cooperation and deeper economic and regional integration by covering a wide range of cooperation areas.

It is a more flexible and policy driven mechanism, as the allocation of funds depends on a country’s needs and absorption capacity and its level of implementation of agreed reforms.

The 9 ENPI Partner Countries of the Mediterrean Region are:  Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tunisia, Libya has an observer status in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and is eligible for funding under the ENPI. Negotiations for an EU-Libya Framework Agreement got underway in November 2008.

Objectives

According to the ENPI regulation, the objective of the ENPI is to provide Community assistance for the development of an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness involving the European Union and the partner countries and territories.

"Community assistance shall promote enhanced cooperation and progressive economic integration between the European Union and the partner countries and, in particular, the implementation of partnership and cooperation agreements, association agreements or other existing and future agreements. It shall also encourage partner countries’ efforts aimed at promoting good governance and equitable social and economic development."

The funding

The overall allocation for the ENPI, which is increased compared to the past, amounts to almost €12 billion for the period 2007-2013.

The largest percentage of ENPI funds will be used for bilateral actions, that is country initiatives. Funds are also allocated to the two ENPI regions and regional and cross-border initiatives and mechanisms.

The amounts allocated for the ENPI South (Mediterranean Region) are about €333 million of funding that has been earmarked for 2007-2010.

• ENPI Info Centre - EUROMED Portal