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New European Neighbourhood Policy

On 25 May the European Commission presented its Communication on “a new response to a changing neighbourhood” with the ambition to strengthen the Eastern Partnership and to build partnerships for democracy and shared prosperity in the Southern Mediterranean.

The Commission proposes to reinforce partnerships with people and societies, sustainable and inclusive growth, and additional support for democratic transition by establishing a dedicated Civil Society Facility, Endowment for Democracy and a Facility for agriculture and rural development. When formulating these new ”mechanisms” it will be important to stress that social cohesion, social inclusion and job creation are key for answering the socio-economic needs of people and that can be effectively done in strong partnership with NGOs, think tanks and social partners.