European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument

From 1 January 2007 onwards, as part of the reform of EC assistance instruments, the TACIS and various other programmes are replaced by a single instrument - the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). It is designed to target sustainable development and approximation to EU policies and standards - supporting the agreed priorities in the ENP Action Plans, being negotiated with Ukraine and Moldova.

An important aspect of the ENP is to improve cross-border cooperation with countries along the EU's external land and maritime borders. The ENPI will therefore support cross-border contacts and co-operation between local and regional actors and civil society. The ENPI cross-border cooperation (CBC) programme will cover activities across the EU's external borders in the East and the South, with programmes for the period 2007-2013 receiving financial support of Euro 1.18 billion.

For Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, the three separate Country Strategy Papers (CSP) for 2007-2013 have been developed, providing a general overview of future EC assistance priorities encompassing all instruments and programmes. Likewise, the three National Indicative Programmes (NIP) for 2007-2013 have been approved by the EU, defining in greater detail the focus of operations under each countries' national envelope of the new ENPI. National Indicative Programmes intend to guide planning and project identification with priority areas.