Civil%Society%Declaration%

Transcription

1 Civil%Society%Declaration% TangibleResultsforPeople: EnvisioningtheEasternPartnershipin2020andBeyond addressedtothe5 th BrusselsEasternPartnershipSummitoftheHeads ofstateandgovernment EasternPartnershipCivilSocietyConference th AnnualAssemblyoftheEasternPartnershipCivilSocietyForum Tallinn,26October2017

2 TangibleResultsforPeople: EnvisioningtheEasternPartnershipin2020andBeyond Civil%Society%Declaration% % addressed%to%the%5 th %Brussels%Eastern%Partnership%Summit%of%the%Heads%of%State%and%Government% EasternPartnershipCivilSocietyConference th AnnualAssemblyoftheEasternPartnershipCivilSocietyForum Tallinn,26October2017 We, civil society organisations from the Eastern partnership (EaP and European Union (EU countries, havinggathered in Tallinn, address this Declaration to the Heads of State and Government ahead of the 5 th EasternPartnershipSummitinBrussels. WebelieveintheEuropeanfutureoftheEaPcountries,basedonsharedvalues,ruleoflawandrespectfor democraticprinciplesandpublicaccountability.webelievetheperspectiveofcloserintegrationwiththeeu inlinewitharticle49ofthetreatyoneuropeanunion(toeushouldbegrantedtoalltheeapcountries voicingtheireuropeanaspirationsandcommittedtodeliverontheexpectedprogressincomplyingwiththe accessioncriteria. We welcome continuous efforts to refine the Eastern Partnership as a comprehensive policy bringing positivechangetothepeopleoftheeapcountriesandaddedvaluefortheeu.wesupporttherecognitionof thestrengthenedandcrosscuttingroleofthecivilsocietyinachievingthegoalsoftheeasternpartnership, andunderlinetheimportanceofenablingenvironmentforcivilsocietyallowingittoperformitsfunctions andengageinimplementingthereformagendabringingtangibleresultsforpeople. We acknowledge the positive achievements of the policy proving the relevance of ambitious agenda for change.weunderstandthatdifferentiationandpragmatismaretheguidingprinciplesoftheadoptedpolicy approach for the future. At the same time, we express our concern over millions of citizens in the EaP countriesstillbeingpreventedfromfreelyexercisinghumanrightsandenjoyingfundamentalfreedoms, alienatedfromdemocraticvalues,onwhichtheeasternpartnershipisbuilt. We reiterate the importance of the multilateral dimension of the Eastern Partnership allowing for the beneficialexchangeandexperiencetransfernotonlybetweenindividualpartnersandtheeu,butalsoamong theeapcountries,creatingstrongerlinksandstrengtheningtheirresilience.weseeitsbenefitsforthecivil societysuccessfullyworkingtogetheronregionalchallengesandoftendevelopingconsolidatedpositions, supportingeachotherindifficulttimes. Westandready,willingandabletocontributewithourfairsharetotheprogressinreformsimplementation. We commit to work tirelessly, monitor progress, offer policy solutions and expertise, report and communicateresults.wecommittokeeppromotingtheeuropeanvaluesevenatourpersonalrisk,reaching outtothecitizensoftheeapcountries.wecommittochangingtheeapsocietiesandpeople slivesforthe better. %

3 Preamble% A. Whereas the principle of differentiation determines the EaP policy approach for the future and pragmatically reflects the political, economic and social dynamics and aspirations of individual EaP countries.whereasadherenceandcommitmenttothevaluesandprinciplesstatedinarticle2ofthetoeu areenshrinedintheassociationagreementsandelsewhere. B. Whereas% the implementation of reforms has shown that only limited and reversible results can be achievedifthedemocraticprinciples,humanrightsandruleoflawarenotrespected. C.Whereas%thereformofjudiciaryanddemocraticelectoralprocessarethecornerstonesofstrengthening institutionsandgoodgovernanceinordertocreatefairandstablesocietiesforthegenerationstocome. D.Whereastheenablingenvironmentforcivilsocietyhasbeenrecentlydeteriorating.WhereasinArmenia, politicallymotivatedpersecutionofactivistsiscarriedouttostoppeacefulprotests,theauthoritiesapplya selective approach to cooperation with the CSOs, and their voice is heard only on certain occasions and topics. Whereas in Azerbaijan,% representatives of civil society, independent journalists, and bloggers systematicallybecometargetsofpoliticalrepression,inhumanordegradingtreatment,andotherattackson theirfreedom.whereastheauthoritiescontinuelegallyobstructingtheactivitiesofcsosanddonorsinthe country, as well as delegalising independent media. Whereas in Belarus,% CSOs operate under highly restrictive legal conditions, while harassment and persecution of civil society activists, members of independenttradeunionsandmedia,forpoliticalreasonsisaneverqendingthreat.whereasingeorgia,the governmentfailedtoensurethorough,transparentandeffectiveinvestigationoftheabductionofforeign human rights activists residing on its territory. Whereas the environment for civil society in Moldova continues to deteriorate with public figures intentionally discrediting the whole nonqprofit sector, and further legal obstacles to CSOs activities are to be put in place. Whereas in Ukraine, the anticorruption activistsarefacingadministrativeobstaclestotheirwork,threatsandevenphysicalviolence,whilethesense ofimpunityfortheactionsagainstthecivilsocietyrepresentativesispervasive E.WhereastheEuropeanNeighbourhoodPolicysetsambitiousobjectivesbasedonmutualcommitmentsof theeu,itsmemberstatesandtheeapcountriestocommonvalues,includingtherespectofandsupportfor thesovereignty,unity,andterritorialintegrityofthepartnersandtheregion,aswellascompliancewith internationalandeuropeannormsandprinciples. F.WhereasdestabilisationandconflictbroughtbyRussiauponseveralEaPcountriesremainsoneofthe majorchallengesforthedevelopmentofthecountriesintheregion.whereasthejointcommunication A StrategicApproachtoResilienceintheEU sexternalaction providesamoreintegratedapproachtowards thestabilityandsecurityoftheneighbouringcountries. G.Whereasfreemediaisessentialforfacilitatingtransparency,accountabilityandstrengtheningthechecks andbalanceswithinthesocieties. H. Whereas the regional economic integration falls short of expectations and further incentives and coordinationshouldbeensured. I. Whereas% support to SMEs is one of the flagship initiatives advancing under the Eastern Partnership multilateral track. Whereas SMEs in the EaP countries prominently contribute to the economic growth, allowingforintegrationofnationaleconomiesintotheglobalmarket.whereassmescreatejobsanddrive theprogresstowardsagreenanddigitaleconomyofferingnewopportunitiesininnovativesectorsbringing profit.whereasavibrantsmessectorisavaluableremedyagainstoligarchisationoftheeconomy.

4 J. Whereas digitalisation and harmonisation of digital markets (HDM brings additional economic opportunitiesandtriggerschangesineducationsystemandonthejobmarket.whereasthegovernancein thehdmareaintheeapcountriesisweak,andtheawarenessandcompetencestoharnessthebenefitsof harmonisationshouldbeimproved.whereasonlyaninsignificantnumberofstudies,reportsandindicators in HDM area is produced in the majorityofthe EaP countries. Whereas the crossqborder eqtrade and eq commerceisweakintheeapregion. K.Whereas%thestateoftheenvironmentintheEaPcountriesiscontinuouslydegrading,manifestedinthe pollution of waters, soil and air, biodiversity loss, depletion of natural resources and climate change consequences,combinedwithlowpriorityofenvironmentalagendaforthegovernmentsandabsenceof adequateenvironmentalinstitutions. L.WhereashydroenergyisanincreasinglypopularalternativeandrenewablesourceofenergyintheEaP countries,however,itsexcessivedevelopmentcausesrapiddecreaseofwaterresourcesinriversandhasa negativeimpactondrinkingwatersupplyandonaquaticecosystemsoftheriversinentireregions. M.Whereas%climatechangeaffectsthewholeEaPregion,whereassustainableenvironmentisintegralto human rights, such as the right to life, proper nutrition, health and water, the conceptual solutions for mitigationandadaptationtoclimatechangeareurgentlyneededinordertoguaranteehumanrights. N.WhereastheRussianFederationexercisespoliticalandeconomiccontrolintheregionthrough,inter&alia, energyproductionorsupplychains.whereasrussiancompaniessuchasgazprom,rosneft,interraoues orrosatom,abusingtheirdominantmarketpositions,attempttogaincontrolovercriticalenergyassetsand infrastructure via questionable deals and corrupt crossqborder networks and influencing the decisionq makerstoopposeordelaytheimplementationoftheeusupportedpolicies.whereasrussiaencourages extortionandunpaiduseofenergyresourcesbycertainseparatistregions,creatingartificialdebts,later turnedintoapowerfulpoliticalinstrumentforpressuringcompaniesorthewholecountries.whereassuch policyisamajorthreattoenergysecurity,sovereigntyandstabilityoftheeapcountries,aswellasseveral EUMemberStates. O.WhereastherearenumerousadvantagesofbothformalandnonQformaleducationandrelevantpolicies recognisingadiverserangeofskillscanenablegreateraccesstoemployment.whereas&theeheabologna Processwasdesignedtoensurecompatibilityofthestandardsandqualityofhighereducationqualifications betweenthecountries,andfullimplementationofthisprocessenableslabourmobility. P.WhereastheEaPcountriesshouldguaranteethatchildrenandyoungpeopleofallbackgroundshave equal access to education and employment free from discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity, religion,economicstatus,sexualityordisability. Q.Whereasmanyvulnerablegroupsarenotfullyintegratedintothelabourmarket,whilediscrimination andgenderpaygaparestillacommonpracticeintheeapregion. R.WhereaslabourrightsarenotfullyenforcedandmonitoredintheEaPcountries.

5 The%EaP%and%EU%civil%society%organisations%call%upon%the%European%Union%and%the%Member%States:% % To introduce effective multidspeed% approach, reflecting reform dynamics in individual EaP countries,leavingthedoortotheeu%membershipopenprovidedthepartnercountriesdemonstrate enduringcommitmenttothevaluesandprinciplesenshrinedinarticle2ofthetoeu. To emphasise the link between the good% governance% and% institutional% resilience, including corruptionqfreeenvironment,humanrights,professionalandaccountablecivilservice,impartialand nonqpartisanadministrationofjustice,andsecurityoftheeapcountries. HumanRightsandRuleofLaw Todemonstrateconsistency%initsapproachtowards%impunity%forhumanrightsviolations. Toassistintheupholdingofhuman%rightsandrule%of%lawintheEaPcountries;introduce,and enforce strict conditionality in the sphere of human rights, rule of law and democratic freedoms throughallfinancialsupportinstrumentsbenefitingtheeapcountries. Tocallforthereleaseofcivil%society%activists,%journalists%and%other%persons%imprisoned%on% politically% motivated% charges, and to ensure that civil society is free to monitor human rights violations,includingthehumanrightsrelatedtotheenvironment,withoutafearofpersecution.to provideextensivesupporttohuman%rights%defendersinaccordancewiththeeuhumanrights DefendersGuidelines. Tocallforthereadmissionofstudentsexpelledfromuniversitiesforpoliticalreasons.Toensurethat student%rightsarenotviolatedandmorestudentswillnotbeexpelledfortheiractivestanceinthe future. Topromotetherightsofvulnerable%groups,%including%children,seniorcitizens,conflictQaffected population/idps,especiallywomenandgirls,affectedbytheconflict,inthehumanrightsdialogues with the EaP countries, as well as through civil society support actions in order to protect their dignityandensuresocialinclusion. To prevent the growth in genderdbased% violence and femicide, and promote effective victim protectionandassistanceintheeapcountries. EnablingEnvironmentforCSOsandCSOMonitoring Toincludeconcrete%targets%and%benchmarksonimprovingtheenvironmentforoperationofthe civilsocietyintheeapcountriesthroughboththeongoingpoliticaldialogueandtechnicalsupport programmesoftheeuandeumemberstates. Todevelopsupport%mechanismsbasedonrealitiesofeachEaPcountry,ensuresupport,including financial one for independent CSOs in the conflict regions 1, as well as in countries where the independenceofcsosiscompromisedthroughadoptingrestrictivelaws. TofurtherincreasetheroleofCSOsinimplementation%of%the%EaP%agenda,particularlyinthefields ofruleoflaw,antiqcorruption,judicialreforms,humanrightsanddemocraticgovernance,human security,antiqdiscriminationandgenderequality.tosafeguardthemeaningfulparticipationofthe CSOsasanintegralpartoftheimplementationprocess. Toensurethatcivilsociety,asabeneficiaryoftheprojectsundertheENICivil%Society%Facility,is regularlyconsultedandcanparticipateinshapingthecallsforproposalsandprojectsatkeystages. 1 RespectingtheprovisionsandspiritofbilateralagreementsbetweentheEUandindividualEaPcountries

6 Toreconsider20percentcoQfundingrequirementforCSOswhenimplementingtechnicalsupport projects. SecurityandPeacebuilding ToadoptrelevantmeasuresaimedatengagingtheEaPpartnersintotheCommon%Security%and% Defence%Policy%(CSDPmoreactively,forexampleviabroadeningthescopeoftheCSDPpanel,as wellasfindothermechanismsofdealingwithawiderangeofsecurityissuesintheeapasprovided bytheeuglobalstrategypavingthewaytowardsthepoliticalandsecurityassociationoftheeap countrieswiththeeuropeanunion. To create, in joint effort with the governments of the EaP states and the EU institutions, a comprehensivemechanism%for%assessment%of%societal%resiliencebythecivilsociety. Tosupportpeacebuilding%and%conflict%transformation,andtocooperatewithotherinternational bodies on setting up platforms for dialogue across conflict divides. To introduce civilian peacekeepingmissionsontheterritoriesplaguedwithprotractedconflicts.toinitiatereconciliation commissionsontheterritoriesrecoveringafterarmedconflicts. To facilitate and ensure the participation of civil society in shaping the peace% negotiations. To enhancethesupporttocsosworkingonpeacejournalism,medialiteracy,conflictsensitivityand peaceeducation,astheyareinstrumentalinpreventingandcounteringonlinehatespeech,fakenews andotherhybridthreats. To support peacebuilding% and% security% initiatives aimed at reducing hatred and promoting confidence building. To advance women s% participation in negotiations and implementation of confidence building measures in the framework of the UN Resolution (S/RES/1325 on women, peaceandsecurity.totakeadvantageofcultural%eventstoaddresspeacebuildingrelatedmessages usingculturalaspectstounitepeople. Tosupportdevelopmentofinitiativesatlocalandcommunitylevels,aswellasregionalcooperation amongcsosindevelopingpeacebuilding%and%security%initiatives. Toinsistonhumanrightsmonitoringandpromotionofdemocraticvaluesintheconflict%zones, whichareexcludedfromtheseprocesses.toguaranteeandcreateaframeworkforthecivilsociety andinparticularhumanrightsactivistsintherespectiveregions. CommunicationandMedia To support freedom% of% speech% and% expression and diversity of opinion within the media environment.toensurequalityofmedia. Toprotectjournalists %rightsbychallengingtheimpunityofviolators. To ensure the survival of the independent media in the EaP countries by providing additional% support%fortheiractivities. TostrengthentheroleoftheEuropeanBroadcastingUnion(EBUinpromotingtheprinciplesof diverse,%independent,%qualityddriven,%and%ethical%media. TostrengthentheEEAS%StratCom%East%Task%ForcewiththepositionsoftheEaPofficersandsupport initiatives by the EU Member States in the field. To strengthen the strategic communication capabilitiesintheeapcountriesandenhancetheinteractionwiththereinforcedstratcomeasttask Force. Toaddressthevisibility%gap betweentheeapcountriesandtheeuitself,andthusprovidean increased support for communication activities on the EaP policy and EaP countries in the EU MemberStates. TofurtherpromoteselfDregulation%of%media%

7 Tosupport%cyberspace%literacy%and%critical%thinkingofthepopulationasresourcesforprotection frompropagandaandotherhybridthreats. RegionalEconomicIntegration ToestablishaseparateformatformeetingsbetweentherepresentativesoftheEU,Georgia,Moldova, andukraineontheimplementationofthedcftasagendas.themeetingsinthe3+1%formatcanbe dedicatedtodeepeningthecooperationamongthedcftacountries,exchangingexperienceonthe reform process, synchronising regulatory policy reforms, and extending the cumulative rules of origintothethreecountries,forming Neighbourhood%Economic%Community (NEC.Toopensuch aformattoothereapcountriesuponinstitutionalandlegalcompliance.toextendtheadditional multidyear%zerodtariff%quotas%fortheeapcountriestoothersectors,inparticularforthosecountries implementing AAs/DCFTAs in order to support modernisation of various sectors by providing a permanentsupporttotheindustrieslackingcompetitivenessontheeumarket, SMEs Topromoteanddemonstratebenefits%of%entrepreneurshipintheregion.ToencouragetheEaP citizens,especiallywomenandyouth,toimplementtheirbusinessideas.tolauncheffectivetools providingsupporttostartqupsandsmes.tocooperatewiththeeapgovernmentsandcivilsociety onthepromotionofentrepreneurialspirit. HarmonisationofDigitalMarkets To focus on improving the digital% skills% and% internet access% for the population in rural areas, especiallywomenandsociallyexcludedcommunities.totrainfemaleentrepreneursinruralareas inordertoimprovetheirentrepreneurialcapacities,digitalskillsandaccesstothedigitalmarket. Tospeeduptheharmonisationoftelecom%rules,includingtheroaming%tariffs. TocapitaliseonthepotentialofHDMbyorganisingregularregionalEaP%EDbusiness%Forawiththe focusondigitalbusiness,digitalmarketingandicttools. EnvironmentalGovernance Tocloselyobservethedangeroustrendsofreforming%environmental%institutionsinsomeEaP countries where ministries of environment are downsized or even shut down (e.g. Belarus and Moldova. ToimplementtheLuxembourg%Declarationaimingatbetterenvironmentalgovernancewithmore transparency, participation, accountability, effectiveness and better functioning institutions; continueeffortstoimplementtheluxembourgdeclarationactionplan.toincludewherepossible theenvironmentalandenergysecurityobjectivesintotheoverallconditionality%approach. RenewableEnergyandClimateChange Toincentiviseotherrenewableenergysolutionsandsupporthydro%energy%projectsonlyincase theenvironmentalimpactassessmentwascarriedoutandthelocalcommunitiesandwiderpublic supporttheproject. Topromotemeaningfulreforestation%actionsinthewholeEaPregionbyincreasingtheshareof forestedlandsbyaminimumofadditional10%offorestcoverageasof2017ineachoftheeap countriesby2030.toputanendtoillegalloggingaimedatillegaltimberexports,whichiscurrently amajorcauseofdeforestationintheeapregion.

8 Tointensifysupportforenergy%efficiency%projectsintheEaPcountries. EnergySecurity TostrengthenenergysecurityintheregionbycooperatingwiththeEaPgovernmentsonimproving interconnection% and% diversification% of% gas% and% electricity% supplies, and to support the enforcementoftheeulawintheoperationsoftherussian%companiesintheregion. TofollowaconsistentapproachtowardsGazpromoperationsbyavoiding%exemptions%from%the%EU% rulesforprojectslikenordstream2oropal(ostseeqpipelineqanbindungsleitungpipelines. Toenhancethefinancialsupportforenergy%securityintheEaPcountriesontheconditionthatthey adoptandimplementrelevantenergysectorreforms. MobilityandPeoplePToPPeopleContacts Toenhancetheexistingvisa%dialoguesandmobilitypartnershipswiththerelevantEaPcountries andstartvisaliberalisationprocessoncaseqbyqcasebasiswitharmenia,azerbaijanandbelarus.to incentivisetheeapcountriesviathevisadialoguestoimplementtherelevantreformsasincaseof Georgia,MoldovaandUkraine. To encourage mutually beneficial legal% labour% migration between the EaP countries and EU, especiallyс,throughactivationofthemobilitypartnerships. To assist the EaP governments in encouraging entrepreneurship by extending education programmessimilartoerasmus%for%young%entrepreneurstotheeapcountries. To continue supporting exchange and% research% programmes and ensure that those target the populationofneglectedareas,includingruralones. %% The%EaP%and%EU%civil%society%organisations%call%upon%the%EaP%governments:% HumanRightsandRuleofLaw To introduce and to ensure the human% rightsdbased% approach in public policymaking and implementation. To demonstrate intolerance% against% violations% of% human% rights of any kind, including by educational institutions, against discrimination and guarantee respect for human rights and pluralism. Torefrainfrominterventionsintotheinstitutionalandindividualindependence%of%judiciaryand itsmembers,andtomaintaintheequalityintheeyesoflaw. Tointroducecomprehensivegender%equalitypoliciesintheEaPcountries.Todifferentiatebetween the results in the field of gender equality and nonqdiscrimination in different EaP countries and introduce specific projects fostering women s economic empowerment (WEE and specific programmes focusing on the access to finance, increasing financial, and business development literacyforwomenintheeapcountries. Toimplementdecisions%of%international%courtssuchastheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights. Toensuretheright%to%Internet%accessforeachindividualinordertoenjoytherightstofreedomof expressionandopinion. Toacknowledgetherightofchildren%and%youthtoparticipateindecisionQmakingprocesseshaving animpactontheirfutureinaparticularcommunityandsocietyingeneral.tosupportprogrammes andinitiativesallowingchildrenandyouthtofullyenjoytheirsocialandcivilrights.

9 EnablingEnvironmentforCSOsandCSOMonitoring TocreateenablingenvironmentforCSOsintheEaPcountriesandintroducemeasuresdiscouraging theeappartnercountriesfromrepressingcsos. Toencourageamorestructured%engagementwithcivilsocietyandgenuineconsultationsonpolicy reformsatthenationallevel.tostrengthenthecivilsociety smandate,capacityandaccountability inmonitoringtheimplementationofbilateralagreements.tointroducecloserdialoguebetweenthe EaPgovernments,EUDelegationsandEaPCSFNationalPlatforms. To avoid introducing excessive measures% limiting% the% CSOs activities and introducing undue controloverthem(forexample,declarationofassetsforcsos. To abolish laws restricting the activities of independent CSOs, namely those preventing them to receivefundingfromdomestic,foreignandinternationaldonors. GoodGovernanceandAntiPcorruption To introduce criminal liability for electoral% fraud in the criminal codes of the respective EaP countrieswhererelevant. Toreviewelection%codesandlawsonpoliticalpartiestoclarifynormsonpoliticalpartyfunding campaignfinancingeliminatinganydiscrepancies;tointroducemandatory%provision%for%parties topublishinformationonthedonationssources;tostrengthenthelegislation%byintroducingmore severesanctionsfornoncompliance. Tointroduceclearcriteriaandproceduresforappointment,%disciplinary%sanctions%and%removal% of%judgesbasedoninternationalstandards. Toprovideforadministrative%and%fiscal%decentralisationofpublicadministrationatregionaland locallevelswiththecivilsocietydimensioninordertomakethelocalgovernmentapillarofthe futuredevelopmentoftheeasternpartnership.tosupportprojectswiththecooperationoflocal governmentsandcsos. Tooverhaulgovernancesystemsbyfighting%corruptionandfurtherinvolveCSOsinthisprocess;to enhance the trust of the population in the authorities and the credibility of the EaP states internationally. To ensure that the agencies responsible for the implementation of legislation on declaration% of% assets%and%conflict%of%interestsareindependentfromthegovernment. Toensurethatassetsrecovery%and%management%officesof%canbeestablishedandcanfunction effectivelybasedontheimplementationofgrecorecommendationsandspecificrecommendations foreacheapcountry. SecurityandPeacebuilding To bring security% policies,% command% and% control% structure in line with NATO norms and standards. ToinvolvecivilsocietyintheEUefforttocreateresilientstatesinitsneighbourhoodandcreatea comprehensive%mechanismforresilience%assessmentwiththecivilsocietyinvolvement. TointroduceformalandnonQformaleducationalprogrammeswithapeaceQbuildingcomponentin ordertocombat%stereotypes%and%support%a%more%tolerant%younger%generation. CommunicationandMedia Tocontributetoafunctioningcommon%information%spaceintheEaPregion.

10 TosupportproductionofhighQqualitycontentandsupportbalancedreportingandethicaljournalism as an alternative% to% the% Russian% propaganda in the national languages of each EaP country targetingthemostvulnerableaudiences,includingyoungpeople. Tostrengthentheeffortstocombathate%speech%in%the%media%of%the%EaP%countries%byintroducing relevantlegislation,codeofethicsorothermeasures. Toenhancethecollaborationwithindependent%media%in%Russiaandensuretheirpresenceinthe mediasphereoftheeapcountries. Toaddressthemedia%concentrationintheEaPcountriesandensuretransparentownershipand financingofthemassmedia. SMEs Tosimplifythetaxation%system%for%micro%enterprises. ToprovideformostoftheSMEsDrelated%administrative%servicestobeconductedelectronicallyin ordertosaveresources,diminishcorruptionrisksandincreasetransparency.tointroduceeffective useofeqsignatureandothereqservicesinordertoloweradministrativecostsforentrepreneurs. Toprovideatransparentandefficientaccess%to%fundsforSMEs. To create a friendly environment for SMEs% and% startdups launched by young people through establishingsupportmechanismssuchastaxreductionsandpreferentialloans. TostrengthenpublicQprivatedialogueonSMEsdevelopmentissues,startQupsandentrepreneurship ingeneral. HarmonisationofDigitalMarkets ToengagemoreactivelyinimprovingHDM%governance%and%coordinationQtoelaboratenational HDMpolicies,strategiesandactionplans,tocreatenationalroadmapspromotingHDMecosystem development.toestablishagenciesresponsibleforcompliancewithdigitalmarketrulesandnorms. Todevelopandimplementnationaldigitalskillsstrategies,inlinewithsimilarEUstrategies.Toform nationalcoalitionsfordigitaljobsbasedontheeudigitalskills&jobscoalition.toconductfeasibility studiesinordertoassessneedsforfurtherstudies,reportsandindicatorsinhdmarea.todedicate resourcesforconductingtheidentifiedstudiesandreports. Toimprovesignificantlyconsumer%protectionwithinthepromisingareaofeQcommerce;toensure a sufficient level of consumer protection as a condition for further developing eqcommerce, eq paymentsandrelatedservices. To create relevant logistics and infrastructure for a functioning crossdborder% edcommerce. To establishrulesforcrossqborderconsumerprotection. EnvironmentalGovernance To prioritise and integrate environmental and climate change policies in the decisionqmaking process,togreentheeconomyandachievesustainable%developmentoftheeapregion. ToimplementtheLuxembourg%Declarationaimedatbetterenvironmentalgovernancewithmore openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and better institutions; continue efforts to implementtheluxembourg%declaration%action%plan. ToimplementcompulsoryStrategic%Environmental%Assessment%(SEA,%Environmental%Impact% Assessment%(EIA%and%Sustainability%Impact%Assessment%(SIA%procedures%inordertoallowfor orfreeze investments in hydropower plant construction, as well as into any other infrastructure projectsand/orminingprojects.

11 ClimateChange Toimplementintegratedwater%resources%managementasoneofthekeyinstrumentsforadapting totheclimatechange. ToachievetheobjectivesoftheParisAgreementthroughincreasingenergyeffectivenessandusing renewableenergysources. EnergySecurity Tofullymeetthecommitmentsonaligningthelegal%and%regulatory%framework%of%the%energy% sectorwiththeeudirectivesandimplementthetransposedlegislationinclosecooperationwiththe EnergyCommunitySecretariat. To implement energy efficiency policies and use renewable energy sources available in the EaP countriestodiversifythesupplyandensurethedevelopmentofenergymarkets,diminishing%the% dependence%on%the%russian%gasasaprimaryenergysource. MobilityandPeoplePtoPPeopleContacts Toencouragebroaderrecognition%of%nonDformal%education,particularlyinthefollowingareas: civiceducation,inclusion,democracy,environmentalissues. Toinvestmoreresourcesinmodernisingeducationandadequatetrainingforteachersatalllevels ensuringtheaccesstoquality%educationintheeapcountries. Tosupportboththeoretical%and%practical%methodsintheeducationprocesswiththeoptionof combiningstudieswithworkexperience,volunteeringorinternships. To strive for a comprehensive and unbiased implementation of the Bologna process reforms, includingtheguarantees%for%the%academic%freedoms%of%students%and%professors,autonomyof thehighereducationinstitutionsandstudentselfqgovernance. To prevent% discrimination% in% access to% education and employment by allowing these to be monitoredbycsoswithaccesstonationaleducationalinstitutionsstatistics,topromoteandsupport thedatacollectionbyindependentthinktanksonissuesrelatedtoinclusion,toleranceanddiversity ineducationandworkplace. Tosupportemployability%of%young%peoplethroughbetterskillsmatching,betterawarenessofthe labourmarketneedsandopportunities,labourrightsandeuropeanvaluesamongyoungpeople. Workers RightsandSocialDialogue To ensure full respect% of% fundamental% workers % rights, as guaranteed by International Labour Organisation(ILOconventions,throughstrengtheningofrelevantlabourinstitutionsandimproving socialdialogueatalllevels. Toprovideforgendermainstreamingandadequateinclusion%of%vulnerable%groupsintothelabour market.toworktowardsclosing%the%gender%pay%gap%andtofightdiscrimination. Toensurejust%transition,bybringingtogetherworkers,communities,civilsociety,employersand governmentsinadialoguetodriveconcreteplans,policiesandinvestmentsnecessaryforafastand fairtransformation. Toguaranteeaccesstobasicpublic%servicesataffordablepriceforeveryone. Tocreateconditionsforoperationalenvironmentofindependent%trade%unions.

12 Dissenting%opinion% ofthegeorgianandukrainiandelegationsontheparagraphofthedeclaration TangibleResultsforPeople: Envisioning the Eastern Partnership in 2020 and Beyond, stating the following: To enhance the collaborationwithindependentmediainrussiaandensuretheirpresenceinthemediasphereoftheeap countries & Our&delegations&generally&support&provisions&of&the&Civil&Society&Declaration&and&recognize&the&specifics&of&the& EaP&countries&and&their&media&landscapes.&However,&considering&the&RussiaAGeorgia&conflict,&RussiaAUkraine& conflict,&russian&occupation&of&territories&in&the&region&and&huge&impact&of&russian&media&on&the&hybrid&warfare,& and&based&on&specifics&legislation&in&our&respective&states,&our&delegations&insist&that&abovementioned&paragraph& is&not&to&be&applied&to&georgia&and&ukraine.&

13 % Signatories:% 1. AgencyforLegislativeInitiatives 2. AllQUkrainiantradeunionofemployeesof tourism,recreationandhospitalitybusiness 3. AntiViolenceNetworkGeorgia 4. ArmavirDevelopmentCenter 5. ArmenianAssociationofWomen(AAWUE 6. ArmenianProgressiveYouth 7. Article42oftheConstitution 8. AssemblyofProQDemocraticNGOsof Belarus 9. Association"BusinessUnionofLatvia" (Biedrība"LatvijasBiznesasavienība" 10. Association"NewGroup" 11. AssociationforParticipatoryDemocracy ADEPT 12. AssociationofAudioQVisualReporters 13. AssociationofIndependentPress(API 14. AssociationofLifeQLongLearningand Enlightenment 15. AssociationofLocalDemocracyAgencies (ALDA 16. AssociationofProfessionalandBusiness WomenfromMoldova 17. AssociationYouthfortherighttolive(TDV 18. AzerbaijaniCSO 19. AzerbaijaniCSO 20. BelarusSecurityBlog 21. BelarusianCongressOfDemocraticTrade Unions 22. BelarusianHelsinkiCommittee 23. BelarusianOrganizationofWorkingWomen 24. BelarusianStudentassociation 25. BelarussiannationalyouthcouncilRADA 26. BrotherhoodoforganisersofstudentsselfQ governance(boss 27. BukovinianAgencyforRegional Development 28. Bureauofgenderstrategyandbudgeting 29. CarpathianFoundation(Karpatskánadácia 30. CASEBelarus 31. CenterforcrossQbordercooperation 32. CenterforEnergyEfficiencyand Renewables 33. CenterforInnovationandPoliciesfrom Moldova 34. CenterforRegionalStudies 35. CenterforSocialInnovations 36. CentreforEuropeanTransformation 37. CentreonGlobalizationandRegional Cooperation 38. CitizenParticipationForum 39. CivilSocietyAndDemocracyDevelopment Center 40. CommitteetoProtectFreedomof Expression 41. CommunitiesFinanceOfficersAssociation 42. Consumers`ConsultingCenter 43. CouncilofMoldova 44. DigitalCommunicationNetwork 45. EasternEuropeStudiesCentre 46. EcologicQnaturalhistorypublicunion Nerush 47. EcologicalMovementofMoldova 48. EcologicalQculturalpublicorganisation«Khazer» 49. EcoLur 50. EurasiaPartnershipFoundation 51. EuropeanCenterforNotQforQProfitLaw 52. EuropeanCenterProEuropa 53. EuropeanChoice 54. EuropeanCooperationCentre 55. EuropeanInitiative LiberalAcademy Tbilisi(EILAT 56. EuropeanPravda 57. ExpertForum(EFOR 58. ExpertQGrup 59. ForEqualRightsEducationalCenter 60. ForeignPolicyCouncil"UkrainianPrism" 61. FoundationforSmallandMedium Businesses 62. FreeChoice 63. FreeCitizenCivicInitiativesSupportCenter 64. GeorgianInstituteofPolitics 65. GeorgianStrateticAnalysisCentre(GSAC 66. GeorgianTradeUnionsConfederation (GTUC 67. GLOBSEC 68. GoldenApricotFundForCinema Development(GAFCD 69. GoodDeeds 70. GURTResourceCentre 71. HelsinkiCitizens AssemblyQVanadzor 72. HelsinkiFoundationforHumanRights 73. HumanRightsCentreViasna 74. HumanRightsFoundation 75. IDPWomenAssociation"Consent' 76. ILGAQEurope 77. IlkoKucherivDemocraticInitiative Foundation 78. InstituteforEconomicResearchandPolicy Consulting

14 79. InstituteforEuropeanPoliciesandReforms 80. InstituteforPublicPolicy 81. InstituteforDevelopmentundSocialInitiati ves(idis"viitorul". 82. InternationalBusinessandEconomic DevelopmentCenter 83. InternationalCharityOrganisation "InformationCenter"GreenDossier"(ICOIC "GreenDossier" 84. InternationalConsortiumEUROBELARUS 85. Internews 86. IPMResearchCentre 87. Kharikivregionalorganisationof entrepreneurs professionalunion 88. KhoranArdIntellectualCenter 89. LatvianInstituteofInternationalAffairs 90. LegalTransformationCenter 91. LevSapiehaFoundation 92. LocalDemocracyAgencyGeorgia 93. MediaDiversityInstitute 94. MinorityRightsGroupEurope 95. MITLAAgencyofChanges(Clean UniversitiesantiQcorruptioncampaign 96. MovementQYouthAlternative 97. MultiethnicResourceCenterforCivic EducationDevelopment 98. NationalEnvironmentalCenter 99. NationalTradeUnionConfederationof Moldova 100. NationalYouthCouncilofMoldova 101. NGOIndependentMediaUnion 102. NGOInstituteOfMassInformation 103. OralHistoryInstituteOfMoldova 104. PAEcoContact/CenterforInformationand ConsultationonEnvironmentalMetters Aarhus 105. PeaceAction,TrainingandResearch InstituteofRomania(PATRIR 106. Perspectiva 107. PolissyaFoundationforInternationaland RegionalStudies 108. Protectionofrightswithoutborders 109. Publicinstitution«LeagueforDemocracy Development Civilverdict» 110. PublicOrganisation"Belarussian associationofjournalists" 111. Regionalpublicunion«Vesta» 112. RepublicanConfederationof Entrepreneurship 113. ResearchQIntellectualClub"Dialogueof Generations"RICDOG 114. SecretariatoftheArmenianNational PlatformoftheEasternPartnershipCivil SocietyForum 115. StefanBatoryFoundation 116. TransparencyInternationalQMoldova 117. TransparencyInternationalArmenia 118. TransparencyInternationalGeorgia 119. UkrainianCenterforIndependentPolitical Research(UCIPR 120. Unia&PolskaFoundation 121. UnionofInformedCitizens 122. Unionofpublicdefenders 123. VitebskregionalNGO"SelfQgovernanceand society" 124. Women'scharityorganisation"Ourvision" 125. Women'sInformationCenter 126. WorldVisionArmenia 127. YerevanPressClub 128. YouthCooperationCenterofDilijan 129. YouthorganizationSTAN 130. YouthtradeQunion"Students'Council"