Eastern Partnership thematic platforms get down to work

The work programmes of the four Eastern Partnership (EaP) multilateral thematic platforms for 2009-2011 are now available on the European Commission website.

Platform 1, Democracy, good governance and stability, will focus on:

• Democratic Governance (including the improved functioning of the judiciary; public administration reform and fight against corruption);
• The launch and implementation of the Flagship Initiative on Integrated Border management;
• The launch and implementation of the Flagship Initiative on Prevention of, preparedness for, and response to natural and man-made disasters (PPRD).

Platform 2, Economic Integration and Convergence with EU Policies, will address the issue of enhanced cooperation in the following areas:

• Trade and trade related regulatory cooperation as a precondition for negotiations on deep and comprehensive free trade agreements (DCFTAs);
• Environment and climate change.

Platform 3, Energy Security, is due to lay emphasis on:

• Enhancing framework conditions and solidarity (the development of mutual energy support and security mechanisms, including early warning and joint security actions);
• Supporting infrastructure development, interconnection and diversification of supply;
• Promoting increased energy efficiency and use of renewable resources;
• Furthering the approximation of the regulatory framework.

Platform 4, Contacts between People, is planning to develop a wide range of activities in the following areas:

Education and training (with emphasis on higher education and innovation);

• Youth (encouraging policy dialogue on youth issues);
• Culture (including the development of the EaP Culture Programme);
• Information Society (encouraging the use of Information and Communications Technologies and supporting regulatory policies based on the EU model);
• Research (encouraging participation in the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)).

All the work programmes were adopted at the meetings of the platforms in October-November last year.

Meetings of the platforms are held at least twice a year at the level of senior officials engaged in the reform work in the relevant policy areas. The platforms report to the annual meetings of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. There are also panels to support the work of the thematic platforms in specific areas.

For more information :

Eastern Partnership multilateral platforms

ENPI Info centre webpage - Eastern Partnership

ENPI Info Centre - Eastern Partnership Glossary