The importance of European neighbourhood policy in the politics of the Kingdom of Morocco
Abstract
The European neighbourhood policy (ENP) was developed in 2004 to avoid the emergence of a new division between the enlarged European Union and its neighbours. The aim of the European Union’s activities in the framework of the European neighbourhood policy is to ensure the prosperity, stability and security. The European neighbourhood policy is primarily conducting bilateral activities between the European Union and its partner countries. Within the framework of the European neighbourhood policy work initiative for regional cooperation is the Eastern partnership and the Union for the Mediterranean. The European Neighbourhood Policy of the European Union refers to the ten countries neighbouring the European Union on the eastern and southern shores of the Mediterranean: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia1 . The policy consists of bilateral strategies implemented by the EU and individual partner countries. The most important bilateral EU instruments in this region are the Association Agreements, signed with Morocco in 2000, and action plans. They define the reform programmes taking into account the political and economic short- and mediumterm priorities for a period of three to five years. During the meeting of the Association of the European Union - Morocco on 13 October 2008, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco adopted a joint EU-Morocco document on strengthening bilateral relations / granting a special status. Morocco is one of the most stable EU neighbours to the south. This is the result of many years of pursued policies built on a multi-polar strategy and close relationships with the European Union. With this strategy, Morocco could become a key political and economic partner of the EU in North Africa. Morocco is seen as a more stable and democratic country than other North African countries
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Citation
Helnarska, K. J. (2014). The importance of European neighbourhood policy in the politics of the Kingdom of Morocco. Zeszyty Naukowe AON, 4(97), 261-270.