E UROPEAN C OMMISSION MEMO

E UROPEAN C OMMISSION MEMO

MEMO/11/918

Brussels, 16 December 2011

The EU's response to the 'Arab Spring'

Since the first demonstrations in Tunisia in December 2010, a wave of popular discontent has shaken the Arab world, with people calling for dignity, democracy, and social justice. Despite the unexpected magnitude of these uprisings, the EU has been quick to recognise the challenges of the political and economic transition faced by the region as a whole. It has also recognised the need to adopt a new approach to relations with its Southern neighbours.

The EU has engaged politically with a wide range of government, opposition, parliamentary and civil society interlocutors in the region through visits from the President of the Commission, the President of Parliament, the HR/VP and several Commissioners.

The EU's strategic response to the Arab Spring came as early as 8 March 2011, with the joint communication of the High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) Catherine Ashton and the Commission proposing " A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean ". This communication stresses The EU's strategic response to the Arab Spring came as early as 8 March 2011, with the joint communication of the High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) Catherine Ashton and the Commission proposing " A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean ". This communication stresses

The EU is committed both in the short and long term to help its partners address in particular two main challenges:

- First, to build “deep democracy”, i.e. not only writing democratic constitutions and conducting free and fair elections, but creating and sustaining an independent judiciary, a thriving free press, a dynamic civil society and all other characteristics of a mature functioning democracy.

- Second, to ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, without which democracy will not take root. A particular challenge is to ensure strong job creation.

The EU's response in Morocco

On 2 July 2011, HR/VP Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for the ENP Stefan Füle welcomed the positive outcome of the referendum on the new Constitution which endorsed the reforms proposed by King Mohammed VI. They also reiterated the EU's support for Morocco's efforts to implement these far-reaching reforms. The EU sent an expert mission to assess the parliamentary elections of 25 November. The setting up of the Mobility Partnership with Morocco was launched in Rabat in October and the EU gave a new impetus to the negotiations for the new Action Plan of the Advanced Status, which resumed in December. Moreover, the preparatory process for the future negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Morocco will be launched in early 2012.

As regards financial support, the five priority areas for cooperation remain the same: development of social policies, economic modernisation, institutional support, good governance and human rights, and environmental protection. The indicative budget for 2011- 2013 is €580.5 million, which represents a 20% increase in comparison with the budget of 2007-2010. Morocco also benefits from other thematic and regional programmes and will get further support under the Civil Society Facility and Erasmus Mundus.

Lampiran 3 Press Release resmi dari European Commission untuk program SPRING

E UROPEAN C OMMISSION

MEMO

MEMO/11/636

Brussels, 27 September 2011

EU response to the Arab Spring: the SPRING Programme

The Support to Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth – the SPRING Programme, adopted today - directly responds to the events of the Arab Spring. Initiatives supported by SPRING will focus specifically on two of the renewed EU

policies in the region. 180 .

Aims

The main aim is to respond to the pressing socio-economic challenges that partner countries of the southern Mediterranean region are facing and to support them in their transition to democracy.

Support provided through the SPRING programme will be tailored to the needs of each country, based on an assessment of the country's progress in building democracy and applying the 'more for more' principle. 'More for more' means that the more a country progresses in its democratic reforms and institutional building, the more support it can expect from the SPRING programme.

180 COM(2011)303.

Implementation

Initiatives supported through the SPRING programme will complement already- ongoing activities in partner countries, supported at EU level or bilaterally by EU Member States, as well as by other donors.

Initiatives will be identified by EU Delegations working closely with partner governments, EU Member States and international stakeholders.

All Southern Neighbourhood partners' countries will benefit from the programme. Depending on conditions in each individual country, it is expected that initial support in 2011 may go to Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Expected results Democratic Transition

Depending on the rhythm of reform in each country, concrete results are expected in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic governance, freedom of association, expression and assembly and free press and media. Improvements in public administration, rule of law and fight against corruption –– are also anticipated.

Sustainable and inclusive growth and economic development

Results are expected in a number of areas including a better regulatory framework for business, increased numbers of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); as well as a reduction in internal social and economic disparities.

Funds Amount : €350 million

- €65 million will be committed in 2011 - €285 million will be committed in 2012 (subject to the approval of the

Budgetary Authority) Budget Source: European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Duration: 2011 - 2012

Lampiran 4 Press Release resmi dari European Commission untuk program Civil Society

F acility