The EU could downgrade its relations with its partners from the Middle East in reforms mooted by Germany which will take over the EU presidency in the first half of 2007, according to a UK daily.
The move could have an effect on Middle East countries that are currently members of the EU neighbourhood policy (ENP).
The Guardian reports that the German plans intend to split the countries taking part in the current EU neighbourhood policy scheme, separating those that have membership hopes from those who would never be admitted to the EU.
This means that Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the Palestinian Authority will be given a less prominent position than members who are geographically within Europe.
Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia will be among the countries to be admitted to the more advanced club.
But the German plans have been criticised by European experts believing that the EU must not demote its relations with the 10 non-European members.
“The problems of North Africa are just as important to the EU as those of eastern Europe. It is wrong to tell North Africa that because they are Muslims and live in sandy places, they can’t be integrated,” Charles Grant, director for the Centre for European Reform, told the Guardian.
