Commissioner Füle: “the philosophy of the CBC programmes addresses exactly the core of the new EU approach to its changing Neighbourhood”

The Joint Managing Authority had the honour of interviewing Mr. Štefan Füle, EC Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. Commissioner Füle explained that following the review of the Neighbourhood Policy and the recent events in the Mediterranean region, the European Union has adopted a new approach allowing for “greater support to partners engaged in building deep democracy” and “real partnerships, not only with governments but also with societies”.

While highlighting that the EU is “ready to support these more ambitious objectives with increased resources and better incentives”, Commissioner Füle said that Europe has “moved to an understanding that the new scenarios are people-driven”.

In this context, “CBC programmes perfectly represent the EU's new approach of fully inclusive cooperation with its Neighbours, whereby societies and citizens are fully-fledged partners in EU programmes”, said Štefan Füle. “Cross-border cooperation concentrates on building direct contacts between societies and local administrations. It strives to stay away from ‘big politics” and provides a valuable tool for the cooperation of people on the ground for the benefit of local populations”.

Commissioner Füle also stressed the progresses made by the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme, warmly welcoming the “substantial interest” for the calls for proposals and acknowledged the “strong commitment the Joint Managing Authority and of the participating 14 countries”.

Read the full interview of Commissioner Štefan Füle