Bio: Vadim Deleu, Programme Manager, European Commission DG NEAR, Belgium
Vadim Deleu is Programme Manager responsible for digital and transport connectivity in the unit for regional programmes in the Southern Neighbourhood at the European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (NEAR B2). He has previously worked as Policy Officer / Programme Manager at the European Union Office to Kosovo and the European Union Delegation to the Russian Federation. Vadim has acquired extensive experience in managing projects in the areas of economic and private sector development, trade and connectivity. He holds an MSc in Economics from KU Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract: "Promoting regional cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood region"
- The Mediterranean region has always been of strategic importance for the European Union. This importance increased over the last decade and will continue increasing in the future.
- From 2007 until 2020, the EU has allocated €20.5 billion for financing its cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood through its successive European Neighbourhood financial instruments.
- The current EU's Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) replaces the European Neighbourhood Instrument and covers the period 2021-2027. Over these years, up to € 12 billion are allocated to finance the European Southern Neighbourhood Policy’s objectives and priorities through various means: grants, blending and guarantees, with an expected leverage effect on mobilising additional public and private investment in the region.
- First trading partner. Investor.
- Indeed, the "financial cooperation toolbox” has considerably evolved, DG NEAR now has at its disposal a powerful set of instruments (that includes budgetary guarantees in addition to blending, grants, technical assistance, budget support) and increased financial capacity under the new EFSD+ . This allows the EC to support and promote public and private investments, aligned with our policy priorities in our partner countries and regions, and to deliver on the economic and investment priorities of the Economic and Investment Plan.
