EU: The European Commission yesterday approved a series of agreements with its neighbours which it hopes will guarantee peace and security beyond its borders.
The seven agreements - for Moldova, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority - are based on a carrot-and-stick approach.
In return for strengthening democracy and human rights, these countries get a chance to benefit from the EU's single market. The agreements, which are different for each country, "stop a new dividing line being drawn after [ EU] enlargement", said External Relations Commissioner Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner. "We are exporting stability to the neighbouring countries."
The importance of having a "ring of friends", as Brussels calls it, was emphasised over the past two weeks as the crisis in Ukraine unfolded - and relations with Russia took a nosedive.
The Ukraine deal was given the go-ahead despite it not being clear whether the pro-Western Mr Victor Yushchenko will be elected during the next round of elections on December 26th.
However, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said it was a sign of the EU's "deep commitment to the country" - and the deal may be broadened once a new government is in place.
The EU has been treading a fine line between offering closer ties with the country but not EU membership.