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differentiated approach; also urges adoption of an individualised approach to the EU’s bilateral relations with

partner countries that have chosen a less ambitious level of cooperation.

21. Notes that progress in the mobility area with the Eastern Partnership countries is one of the deliverables

expected by the partner countries from the Riga Summit; hopes that the second stage of the Visa Liberalisation

Action Plan with Georgia and Ukraine will be completed, and that the possibility to sign the Visa Facilitation and

Readmission Agreement and the Mobility Partnership with Belarus and to achieve progress towards visa

liberalisation with Armenia and Azerbaijan will be successfully used until the Summit.

Southern Neighbourhood: The situation in the Mediterranean and the Middle East

22. Highlights the utmost importance of the MENA region, which, due to its geographic and cultural

proximity to the EU, has a direct impact on the EU Member States in the event of any conflicts or instability;

underlines the increasing spread of the irregular migration and human trafficking in the Mediterranean region,

which not only poses a threat to the security of the external borders of the EU, but also claims countless

victims; expresses its deepest condolences for the victims of sea tragedies; takes note of the Commission's

decision to extend the European initiative "Operation Triton" until December 2015; underlines the necessity for

a more functional management of migration flows, while urgently addressing current humanitarian emergency,

sea rescue operations and refugees in a coordinated manner; decides to follow-up on migration issues at a

workshop in Luxembourg.

23. Emphasises that, in light of the increasing security threats within the region, the Neighbourhood Policy

must be capable of providing an effective, united and sustainable support to its neighbours on the South of the

Mediterranean by focusing on providing assistance in forming a democratic system of governance, developing

a civic society and fostering people-to-people contacts.

24. Commends the Union for the Mediterranean as the most efficient and multifaceted cooperation forum in

the region, aimed at promoting regional cohesion and integration between the EU and Southern Mediterranean

countries.

25. Concurs with the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 19 January 2015 on Tunisia welcoming

the successful and peaceful democratic path Tunisia has taken, as well as congratulating Tunisia on its

presidential and parliamentary elections; notes that the democratic transition in Tunisia is becoming an

example for the entire region; calls for the development of a comprehensive political and economic cooperation

and a support plan to consolidate Tunisia's new-born democracy.

26. Expresses hope that parliamentary elections in Egypt scheduled for March and April 2015 will proceed

in accordance with the general democratic principles, ensuring freedom of expression and assembly with due

consideration for the position and participation of women, and will be a significant step towards reunifying

society; considers the recent decision of Egyptian President to attend a Coptic Christmas service for the first

time in history of the state as a positive signal for the social reconciliation which should be extended to all other

faiths; calls on Egypt to refrain from executing imposed death penalties and imposing new ones.

27. Expresses concern about the deteriorating security situation in Yemen resulting from the offensive of

Houthi rebels which has provoked the resignation of the President of Yemen, the Yemeni Prime Minister and

his Cabinet; encourages and supports a peaceful transition in Yemen.

28. Expresses deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and tensions on Israeli borders that

highlight the need for urgent resumption of credible peace negotiations; underlines that there is no alternative

for a two-state solution to be reached through direct peace negotiations, and considers the EP Resolution of 17

December 2014 on Palestinian statehood an important step in this direction; emphasises that all parties,

including regional actors, should work towards this aim and help to achieve a sustainable solution in the Middle

East Peace Process.

29. Condemns the brutal violence used by the Assad regime against Syrian citizens, and calls for stepping-

up the pressure to bring about a genuine political transition in Syria, including by increasing support to the

moderate Syrian opposition; welcomes the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to achieve a strategic de-escalation

of violence.

30. Considering that environmental threats can also cause important security challenges, follows with

concern Turkey’s intention to develop a nuclear plant in Akkuyu — a highly seismic region on its Southern

Mediterranean coast; invites the European Commission to raise the issue in the next round of the pre-