Working with non-EU countries on issues of global interest

The Partnership Instrument (PI) provides for 2014-20 a new and complementary support for the European Union’s external policies, expanding cooperation partnerships and policy dialogues to areas and subjects beyond development cooperation.

ACT

Regulation (EU) No 234/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a Partnership Instrument for cooperation with third countries.

SUMMARY

The main objective of this instrument is to support measures that respond to objectives arising from the European Union’s (EU’s) bilateral, regional or multilateral relationships with non-EU countries and to address challenges of global concern (such as energy, security and environment).

SUPPORT

The PI supports measures to:

• improve access to non-EU markets by boosting trade, investment and business opportunities for European companies - including the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• encourage public diplomacy, people-to-people contacts, academic cooperation and outreach activities to promote the EU’s values and interests;
• promote objectives relating to global issues such as climate change, greener economy, migration, science and innovation, mobility, trade and investment.

The PI therefore serves as a support for the implementation of the international dimension of the Europe 2020 strategy.

BENEFICIARIES

The partner countries are the industrialised and other high-income or middle-income countries across the world, including developing countries which play an increasing role in world affairs (such as G20 countries).

The PI will also underpin new relationships with countries which are gradually moving away from bilateral development aid.

FLEXIBLE APPROACH

The instrument is designed to be flexible to allow the EU to respond to the rapidly changing situation of partner countries. The PI will also differentiate the aid provided to partner countries taking into account their economic, social and political contexts.

BUDGET AND IMPLEMENTATION

The PI budget for 2014-20 is €954,765,000 236/2014, a cross-cutting regulation which aligns and simplifies the implementation of all EU external instruments.

Further information can be found here:

• the EU Partnership Instrument.

12.09.2014