This EC Communication outlines the the way Europe deals with the international partners including the investments in external relations and actions. In this frame it discusses the reasons for engagement, the EU added value, strategic objectives, underlying principles, the revised and simplivied programming process, a brief outline of the proposed structure.

It is outlined that the  Instrument  for  Pre-accession  Assistance  (IPA)  will  remain  the  financial  pillar  of  the Enlargement Strategy, encompassing all aspects of internal policies and thematic issues. The aim will be to ensure that candidate countries and potential candidates are fully prepared for possible  accession  by  encouraging  them  to  adapt  emerging  EU  strategies  and  policies  into their  national  priorities.  Emphasis  will  be  placed  on  support  for  political  reforms,  notably strengthening the democratic institutions and the rule of law and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, socio-economic development, regional cooperation, adopting and implementing the acquis, EU 2020 objectives, and preparing to manage internal policies upon eventual  accession.  The  coherence  between  the  financial  support  and  the  overall  progress made in the implementation of the pre-accession strategy will be strengthened.