Quotes
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“Being closer to citizens than other public institutions, Local Authorities hold responsibility in mobilising local societies’ opinions while acting as catalysts for change. The new EU approach would promote enhanced political, administrative and fiscal autonomy of Local Authorities through decentralisation reforms, capacity and institutional development”.
24-05-2013 - “Cooperation in Urban Development and Dialogue“ (CIUDAD)
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“The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) is the most ambitious bilateral agreement the EU has ever negotiated with a trading partner. The DCFTA will not only open up markets by reducing import tariffs, it will also lead to better regulation across all economic sectors, as well as safer products and improved services for citizens. The DCFTA does not offer unrealistic promises about a transformed economy tomorrow. The real world doesn't work like that, despite what some people might pretend”.
21-05-2013 - Nicholas Burge, Head of the Trade and Economic Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine
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«The local and regional public finance reform should be considered as an urgent priority, a 'sine qua non' condition in the process of decentralisation and strengthening of local and regional authorities in the EaP countries. We need to make our voice heard by the Heads of State and highlight the added value of having a territorial dimension in the various policies covered by the Eastern partnership. Our input must not only cover cross-border cooperation but also other fields, starting from the strengthening of grass-root democracy, decentralisation and direct involvement in those policies that contribute to growth and job creation at local level».
20-05-2013 - CoR First Vice-President Mercedes Bresso
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“A free, independent and vibrant press is indispensable in any democratic society," the High Representative said in her message. “The EU is determined to fight for press freedom worldwide and condemns the increasing level of intimidation, violence and censorship that journalists face in many countries. he EU calls on all governments to allow journalists to work in safety and security, and without the fear of censorship or prosecution. Freedom of expression must be defended both in the traditional media and on the Internet”.
03-05-2013 - EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
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"EU-Azerbaijan relations are developed through the Eastern Partnership, that is to say the Eastern dimension of the European neighbourhood policy. This policy framework is of great value both to the EU and also its partners because it will bring our relationships to a new and higher level… The Eastern Partnership, some say, is using a one-size-fits-all-approach, leading to uniform relationships, in which the specificity and the very nature of each of the partners gets lost. However, exactly the opposite is true: While we do use a common tool box, in which, for example, mobility of people plays a crucial role, together with our partners we are keen to find tailor-made solutions. Differentiation is key, and Azerbaijan in this respect is no exception".
03-05-2013 - Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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«Azerbaijan an interesting and reliable partner… A partner in regional and international security, in energy, in anti-terrorism, in enterprise development and investment, in culture and in education… The relationship between the EU and Azerbaijan from the EU perspective has enormous potential. I believe we can build a solid foundation for prosperity and development without eroding those special characteristics, traditions and features that make this country and its people unique».
03-05-2013 - Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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“Whereas previously fortresses were used for defence in war times, they have now become a resource for bringing people together. So this is not just war history, but also the history of a cultural interaction. We consider all this to be our common heritage. I can say that the main aim of the project is to set up a cultural network to make people aware of their castles, and more generally, of their cultural heritage”.
26-03-2013 - Antti Honkanen, Director of the Centre for Tourist Studies at the University of Eastern Finland, and coordinator on the Finnish side of the EU-funded Castle-to-Castle project
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“In the past, the production of one ton of metal would take two hours, now this has been cut down to 45 minutes: a new organisational model has been introduced, and last year’s sales tripled compared to 2010”
05-03-2013 - Gocha Tsulukidze, Director of metal production company Monoliti, supported by the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development through the Business Advisory Service
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Fostering democracy at local and regional level will ensure the continuity of the reforms in order to boost territorial and social development. I believe that decentralisation and multi-level governance are also ways to avoid new breakdowns in the Mediterranean region".
18-02-2013 - Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions and ARLEM co-chair
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Before leaving the house, when we've finished watching TV, I turn it off straight away. Energy is priceless!
14-02-2013 - Twelve-year-old Fadela, targeted by the awareness campaign of the Yasmine Association in its EU funded sustainable urban energy project
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“Yerevan had lots of open air spaces. We used to get together and listen to singers or watch performances… Today every centimeter is owned by someone and none of them cares about art, culture or traditions. They prefer to build glassy stuff and to make the city look as ugly as possible”.
29-01-2013 - Pensioner in Yerevan Mkrtich Samoyan
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"I am delighted to see the European Endowment for Democracy becoming a reality. I see the Endowment for Democracy as a strengthened effort, supporting democratisation and peaceful forces that work for democratic changes to happen, supporting the actors of change in our neighbourhood, the emerging players that face obstacles in accessing European Union funding. With this new initiative we are sending a clear message of solidarity to the peoples of the Neighbourhood, assuring them that their democratic aspirations and their fight for human rights will be heard and supported by the European Union. The European Union can also bring its experience and know how to help them address the challenges of transition from authoritarianism to democracy."
09-01-2013 - Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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“The central idea that motivated the creation of the Endowment is Europe’s commitment to advancing democracy. Not only does this benefit the people who aspire to freedom and who champion democratic transitions worldwide; it is also in our own European interest. The Endowment comes at a very timely moment, as 2013 will be a crucial year for democratic transitions, in particular in the EU’s neighbourhood. The European Endowment for Democracy can play a very important role. By working directly with those in the field, who are striving for democracy; and by offering flexible, non-bureaucratic and dedicated procedures that are tailored to the needs and demands on the ground.”
09-01-2013 - EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
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“Our aim is to support the new Tunisia’s democratic and economic transition through projects to encourage growth and employment for young people, development and the modernisation of infrastructure. This was the pledge we made to the people of Tunisia following the Revolution. Through this action we will be improving the daily life of Tunisians. We are preparing the future of the younger generations.”
21-12-2012 - EIB Vice-President Philippe de Fontaine Vive
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“The value of close EU-Russia cooperation is clear to all - our regular exchanges are a sign of this...We share a continent and many common interests, which is why we want to develop this strategic partnership further”.
21-12-2012 - European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso
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“As we demonstrated with the EU-Jordan Task Force earlier this year, the EU is supporting both economic and political development in Jordan, which is a very important partner for us. Political and economic progress must always go hand in hand.”
20-12-2012 - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton
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"The stabilisation of Libya is a key to allow democratic transition to take place according to the expectations of the Libyan people. With these three programmes [focusing on education, health care, security and the rule of law] the EU is bringing its diversity of experience and expertise to support the new Libya in setting-up their own solutions to their most pressing challenges."
20-12-2012 - EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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“This year [2012], the amount of EU assistance to Moldova reached the highest figure – €152 million, i.e. €41 per citizen – the absolute record in the Neighbourhood, denoting the EU’s trust in Moldova. The European Union is pleased with Moldova’s utilisation of funds and we encourage the government to keep the same pace in the implementation of reforms”.
20-12-2012 - Head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, Mr Dirk Schuebel
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“The Maghreb is a region with enormous human, economic and cultural potential. We welcome the calls from partners in the region for closer cooperation and deeper integration between them. Citizens on both sides of the Mediterranean stand to benefit from such developments. This Joint Communication, which I discussed with partners during my recent trip to the Maghreb, aims to support our partners in their efforts to take forward Maghreb integration and forms a part of the EU's wider response to recent developments in the region."
19-12-2012 - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton
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As they are the youngest members of society, it is children who can carry forward the message of respect for and protection of archaeological sites. Kids will turn into young men and women and they will pass what they have learned on to future generation.
18-12-2012 - Award-winning poet and writer Mohammad Thaher
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"During the past year we have had in-depth policy dialogue across a wide variety of sectors. The span of the topics covered today demonstrates that our bilateral partnership with the Palestinian Authority is both ambitious and comprehensive. This is the case because the PA itself has set the bar very high and has demonstrated its ability to be a full partner for the EU within our Neighbourhood Policy. [..]The PA is the first partner in the Neighbourhood with whom we have concluded a new Action Plan. The real challenge will thus be to move ahead with our mutual commitments despite the difficult political and financial situation that the PA is in. The hard work must and will continue in the spirit of trust and openness, which guided all our discussions today."
17-12-2012 - EU Representative to West Bank and Gaza Strip, John Gatt-Rutter
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"We welcome progress made by Azerbaijan to fully respect its commitments towards the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the EU. It is a long process and there are still challenges in areas such as freedom of the media, freedom of assembly and freedom of association".
17-12-2012 - Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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"Continuous support to deepen democracy and enhance social inclusiveness and stability is one the EU's principal objectives. In providing additional support to Lebanon to achieve this, the EU is proving its strong commitment to its partnership with this neighbouring country and considerably strengthening the impact of EU-Lebanon co-operation."
13-12-2012 - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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"During the Tunisian revolution, marginalised populations demanded more dignified living conditions, decent jobs and a more inclusive economic and social development. The European Union continues to contribute concretely to the achievement of these objectives and takes the difficulties encountered by the population head on. Through our new programme [a €33 million financial assistance programme for the renovation of 119 working-class neighbourhoods in Tunisia and the improvement of the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living in these areas], we will improve the lives of thousands of people living in many disadvantaged neighbourhoods."
13-12-2012 - EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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“I am convinced that more independent media and a thriving cultural sector play a pivotal role in boosting socio-economic development and political pluralism in the Southern Mediterranean,"
12-12-2012 - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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There are many challenges on Ukraine’s road towards political association and economic integration with the European Union. We remain firmly engaged to developing relations with Ukraine, but we cannot realise the full potential of our relations yet.
12-12-2012 - EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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“Through this second phase of support to the Association Agreement and the transition, the European Commission expresses its confidence in the transition process undertaken since the revolution. In addition to supporting the efforts of the Tunisian authorities to sustain the democratic gains of the revolution, the EU will help the actors of civil society who have a vital role to play in creating a state of law, defining public policy, respect of human rights, freedom of association, expression and freedom of media."
11-12-2012 - EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle
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“The award by the Nobel Committee shows that in these difficult times the European Union remains a force of inspiration for countries and people all over the world and that our global community needs a strong European Union.”
10-12-2012 - European Commission President José Manuel Barroso
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"Standing up for Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law is the silver thread that runs through EU external relations."
10-12-2012 - EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
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It is remarkable that the EU was able to finance projects retrospectively or mobilise large sums of money so quickly or even change the rules so that different political actors could fully participate in the country’s political and social life.
10-12-2012 - Ramy Salhi, regional manager of the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF)







