Integrating SMEs from the EaP countries into domestic and global value chains (€6 million): the programme will help integrate SMEs from the partner countries into domestic and global value chains, facilitating their access to new markets and boosting economic development.

15. Stresses the need to enhance youth cooperation within the framework of the Youth in Action Programme's EaP Youth Window, thus strengthening young people's active citizenship, developing solidarity and promoting tolerance among young people; welcomes in this regard the Eastern Partnership Youth Summit that took place in October 2013, facilitating political dialogue and networking with decision-makers and young people from EU and EaP countries;

15. Stresses the need to enhance youth cooperation within the framework of the Youth in Action Programme's EaP Youth Window, thus strengthening young people's active citizenship, developing solidarity and promoting tolerance among young people; welcomes in this regard the Eastern Partnership Youth Summit that took place in October 2013, facilitating political dialogue and networking with decision-makers and young people from EU and EaP countries;

8. Recalls that the Association Agreements and DCFTAs are aimed at boosting the competitiveness, economic output and performance of partner countries and of the EU, while at the same time respecting the Eastern Partnership countries’ economic cooperation with Russia in a way that is beneficial to all parties; points out that, as such, the Association Agreements and DCFTAs do not undermine the long-standing trade relations which Eastern Partnership countries maintain in the region; believes that, on the contrary, they should not be seen as incompatible with those trade relations, and that, without prejudice to the obligations stemming f ...[+++]rom the Association Agreements and DCFTAs, any trade disputes should be resolved in accordance with the rules and obligations laid down in the World Trade Organisation; affirms, furthermore, that the EU is ready to assist Eastern Partnership partners in their integration efforts by supporting the provisional application of the relevant sections of the Association Agreements or DCFTAs upon signature, unfreezing suspended loans and assistance programmes if the required conditions are met, pursuing visa facilitation measures and the prospect of visa-free travel;

16. Welcomes all efforts towards strengthening of the Eastern Partnership, especially the Commission's flagship initiatives on SMEs, including the EaP SME facility, and on regional energy markets and energy efficiency;

9. Stresses the importance of building a partnership with civil societies as a means to promote change and democratisation; in this context, takes note of the allocation of EUR 22 million to the Civil Society Facility (CSF) for the period 2011-2013 and looks forward to the Facility being more substantially funded in the next Multiannual Financial Framework; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to better explain the scope and objectives of a potential CSF and calls for a greater clarification of the CSF in terms ...[+++]of complementarities with the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and the ENPI; notes that instruments should also be identified to concretely support religious and ethnic minorities in the areas covered by the initiative; recommends that this Facility be used to improve the work of the Civil Society Forum within the Eastern Partnership and to potentially build up such a forum also for the Southern partners;