eu newsletter september - november 2010

On 9 November the European Commission adopted its 2010 Enlargement package. It comprised a Strategy paper, the Opinions on the membership application by Montenegro and Albania and seven Progress Reports, including on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Strategy Paper highlights the progress of the Western Balkans, Iceland and Turkey made towards the European integration during the past year and spells out the main challenges facing them in the months and years to come. In its Progress Report on the country, the Commission renewed its 2009 recommendation that accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should be opened.

Delegation of the European Union, Skopje o 2/2010

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2010 PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTED TO STAKEHOLDERS

EU citizens favour strongerEconomic governance

The latest survey showed strong public support for synchronised actions of all member states in tackling economic problems...

Building a pathway for justice for children

With support from the Euro-pean Union and UNICEF, the Justice for Children project will assist the Government in its efforts to establish a child-friendly justice system...

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Spanish 2010

Page 3•2010 progress report presented to stakeholders

Page 4•Eurostat census launching conference•7th JFS sub-committee meeting•Belgian presidency

EU ASSISTANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 to 8

•Building a pathway: justice for children•Supporting renovation of ten police stations•A new tam programme opened•Agricultural sector prepares for accession•Taxes for the benefit of citizens•Strengthening waste management capacities

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

•EU healthy eating campaign reaches out to children•EU launches first e-skills week

EU POLICIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10 to 11

•EU citizens favour stronger economic governance

EU InfoCentre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back page

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“Today, the Enlargement package provides you with an overview of the progress made by nine countries. Nine countries who not only share our values, but who wish to actively promote them by joining the Euro-pean Union. We should be proud of that fact,” stated Štefan Füle, Eu-ropean Commissioner for Enlarge-ment and Neighbourhood Policy in Brussels. “It is in our own interest to provide them with a framework to support their transformative ef-forts to reach our political and eco-nomic standards. Indeed, enlarge-ment is the best policy to project our values into this region”, added Füle.

The Delegation of the European Union in Skopje presented the En-largement package to different stakeholders in the country. Head of the Delegation and EUSR, Am-bassador Erwan Fouéré handed over the Progress Report and the Enlargement Strategy to the Prime

Minister Nikola Gruevski on 9 No-vember. The same day, the Ambas-sador presented the Report to the President of the country Gjorgji Ivanov.

On 10 November, the Delegation of the European Union organized a press conference where Ambas-sador Fouéré spoke about the Pro-gress Report and the main chal-lenges facing the country. This Report is an objective assess-ment of developments covering the 12 months period, since the last Report. Progress is measured under basis of the decisions taken, legis-lation adopted and measures im-plemented, said Fouéré. He quoted the Enlargement strategy paper which, he stressed, emphasizes the Commission’s approach and policy for the enlargement process over the next period. “The document emphasizes that entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty ensures that the EU can pursue the enlargement

agenda while maintaining the mo-mentum of the European integra-tion”, he stated. The Progress Report was also pre-sented to the MPs at a joint ses-sion of the Committees on EU Af-fairs and on Foreign Policy, the Joint Parliamentary Committee and the National Council for European Inte-gration for the first time this year, to the President of the Supreme Court, Judge Jovo Vangelovski. Representatives from the economic and social community attended a special presentation of the Progress Report on 12 November at the EU InfoCentre. Following this session, Ambassador Fouéré elaborated the chapters of specific interest to the civil society representatives. Both groups seized the opportunity to put forward their views and ques-tions on the findings of the Pro-gress Report.

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On 8 July, at the EU InfoCentre, EU Special Representative and Head of the Delegation of the European Union Erwan Fouéré and the Ambas-sador of Belgium in Sofia also ac-credited to Skopje Marc Michielsen presented the EU priorities for the next six months and in particular the priorities of the Belgian presidency, in accordance with the new arrange-ments under the Lisbon Treaty.

The ambassadors of Spain and Hun-gary, Spanish Ambassador Jose Manuel Paz Agueras and Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Kékes, whose countries are part of the EU presi-dency trio with Belgium, also attend-ed the event.

Justice, Freedom and Security Sub-committee between the EU and the country convened for the seventh time on 27 September in Brussels. It was a forum for exchange of lat-est developments and challenges

faced by ongoing reforms in several important sectors such as judiciary; police; anti-corruption; fundamen-tal rights; visa policy; asylum and migration; cooperation in criminal matters and fight against organ-

ised crime and against terrorism; and drugs prevention. This meeting marked the start of the new cycle of meetings of all bodies set up un-der the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

A census of population and dwell-ings is planned for April 2011. The European Union, via EUROSTAT, will provide peer assessment by an in-dependent high level expert team during the preparations and con-duct of the census. The kick off press conference took place on 27 October. DPM Ademi, Minister of Interior Jankulovska, EUROSTAT Director Everaers and the Director of State Statistical Of-fice presented the concept of the census which should follow the in-ternational standards.

BELGIAN PRESIDENCY

7th JFS SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING

EUROSTAT CENSUS LAUNCHING CONFERENCE

With support from the European Union and the United Nations Chil-dren’s Fund (UNICEF), the Justice for Children project will assist the Government in its efforts to establish a child-friendly justice system – a system that emphasizes prevention and rehabilitation over punishment; has the best interest of the child as the primary consideration; consid-ers the individual circumstances of an offender to ensure reactions are proportional; introduces special pro-cedures that protect child rights and uses detention as a last resort. Despite having a solid legislative, and judicial system that emphasizes restorative justice over punishment, the administration of the child jus-tice system in the country continues to be hampered. Notable remain-ing challenges include the fact that professionals often lack means and resources to fully implement the Ju-venile Justice Law and the lack of a

national prevention programme. The project has three pillars: 1) improving the guiding standard or rules in line with the international standards, 2) capacity building and 3) prevention. In its 24-month du-ration, the project expects achieving the following results:• Strengthened guiding standard or rules aligned with relevant interna-tional and European standards and the establishment of a monitoring system to track their implementa-tion. • A coordination and referral mecha-nism established and functioning. • Professionals (judges, prosecutors, lawyers, social work staff, mediators and correction officers) equipped with knowledge, skills, and compe-tencies to effectively apply the Juve-nile Justice Law. • Models for juvenile delinquency prevention actions and services es-tablished.

• A data collection and monitoring system on the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Law is in place and functional.Main partners in project implemen-tation are: Ministry of Justice, Minis-try of Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, as well as collaborat-ing closely with National Council for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency, Agency for Execution of Sanctions, Center for Social Work Skopje, Academy for Training of Judges and Prosecutors, Police Training Center, Institute for Social Activities, Bar As-sociation, Chambers of Mediators, National Experts, 10 municipalities.Contributing to the broader reform of the criminal justice system, the juve-nile justice project is funded by the European Union with 700,000 EUR and co-funded with 100,000 EUR and implemented by UNICEF.

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EU Assistance

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ssistanceBUILDING A PATHWAY: JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN

MINIMUM GUARANTEES OF A CHILD IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

• To be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.• To be informed promptly and directly of the charges against him or her, and, if appropriate, through his or her parents or legal guardians, and to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the preparation and presentation of his or her defence. • To have the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent and impartial authority or judicial body in a fair hearing according to law, in the presence of legal or other appropriate assistance and, unless it is considered not in the best interest of the child, in particular, taking into account his or her situation, his or her parents or legal guardians. • Not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse witnesses and to obtain the participation and examination of witnesses on his or her behalf under conditions of equality.• To have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or speak the language used. • To have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.(UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 40b - Selected Guarantees)

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“Together with our partners from the Delegation of the EU, we identi-fied the police stations that required urgent reconstruction and we began with work near the end of last year. We hope that our contribution to the improvement of working conditions will also lead to improved efficiency in the police, improvements to the services for citizens and the practi-cal implementation of the regula-tions in the Framework Agreement”, said Ms Gordana Jankulovska, Min-ister of the Interior, at the opening of the renovated police station in Tetovo on 22 June 2009.

With more than 1,300,000 Euro, the European Union supports the reno-vation of ten police stations in the country. The aim is to reach a level of harmonisation with Euro-pean standards in the field of po-

lice work, both with regards to the treatment of summoned, arrested and detained individuals, as well as to the establishment of appropriate conditions for the employees in the police stations. Normal working con-ditions are already being enjoyed by the employees at the Kisela Voda Police Station, who received a mod-ern building. The EU allocated app. 500,000 Euro from the 2006 CARDS Programme for the complete re-construction of the station. Since June 2010, improved working con-ditions also exist for employees at the Tetovo Police Station, the re-construction of which cost around 400,000 Euro, through the 2007 IPA Programme. The modernised facili-ties will help to improve police ef-ficiency from a station that serves 190 thousand citizens in the Tetovo region, but which had had virtually

no investment in sanitation nor im-provements to working conditions for over 30 years. But the project does not end there. Renovation of another eight police stations is un-derway. In Skopje, the police sta-tions Centar, Gazi Baba, Karpos and Bitpazar, as well as the stations in Prilep, Gostivar, Gevgelija and Stip. More than 400,000 Euro have been secured for their renovation under the 2007 IPA Programme.

Expected results are better, more efficient and more effective func-tioning of the police services; fewer complaints from the citizens, non-governmental organisations and the international community regarding the police buildings; higher level of international standards of police capacities in all aspects; increased motivation among police personnel.

SUPPORTING RENOVATION OF TEN POLICE STATIONS

A NEW TAM PROGRAMME OPENED

On 27 October the start of imple-mentation of the new TurnArround Management Programme (TAM) was officially marked at the Eco-nomic Chamber of Commerce. The main objective of the new EU funded TAM Programme is to contribute to sustainable growth and competive-ness in the country through sup-port to selected enterprises, from

dynamic sectors which have growth potential, in effort to restructure, rejuvenate, and enhance develop-ment. The new TAM Programme, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Eu-ropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will carry out TAM projects with 20 companies over a period of 27 months.

eu newsletter september - november 2010

A candidate country since December 2005, the former Yugoslav Repub-lic of Macedonia became eligible for EU pre-accession support through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) in July 2006. For the agricultural sector, this brings the associated opportunity to ac-cess funds through the Instrument for Pre-Accession for Rural Develop-ment (IPARD), Component V of IPA. In order to access these funds the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, as the responsible institution, must have in place an institutional and operational frame-work and capacity that is compliant with EU requirements. Equally, a similar capacity must be developed to manage effectively the extensive financial assistance, post accession support to the sector that will be

available through the Common Agri-cultural Policy.

On 12 October, European Union Special Representative and Head of Delegation, Erwan Fouéré and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Mr Ljupcho Di-movski announced the official start of two agricultural projects support-ing alignment of national agricultural market regulation and support ar-rangements with those of the Euro-pean Union.

The project “Adoption and imple-mentation of the acquis vis à vis the Common Agricultural Policy, specifically Common Market Or-ganisation establishment” aims to bring existing national arrange-ments for support payments and

market stabilisation into line with those operating in the European Union. This project commenced in July 2010 and will be operational for 15 months (July 2010-September 2011). The total budget allocated by the European Union amounts to 638,000 EUR.

The objective of the project “De-sign of a functional Integrated Administration and Control Sys-tem (IACS) and associated insti-tutional capacity” is to establish national systems aligned with EU systems for registering farms and checking applications for financial support. The project commenced in September 2010 and will be op-erational for 15 months (September 2010-November 2011), having a budget totalling to 538,000 EUR.

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AGRICULTURAL SECTOR PREPARES FOR ACCESSION

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On 20 October, the EU InfoCen-tre hosted the official launch of the EU-funded project: Support to Tax Reform. The reform of the Public Revenue Office, as a part of the struc-tural reforms, is a crucial process and precondition for overall economic de-velopment in the country. It aims to enable citizens to solve tax problems more efficiently, to raise the level of participation by citizens and other stakeholders in the management of fiscal affairs, to increase transpar-ency and accountability.Despite the achievements and the

strong progress made recently, the capacity of the tax administration re-quires further considerable strength-ening, both in terms of administrative structures and technical resources. The improvement of administrative capacity in order to increase revenue collection and improve services to-wards taxpayers is a priority for the Ministry of Finance. The overall objective of this 1.3 mil-lion Euro EU-funded project is to im-prove the performance of the Public Revenue Office and Ministry of Fi-nance in the field of revenue collec-tion, taxpayers services, reinforcing the institutional capacity in tax collec-tion and combating corruption by fur-ther harmonising of the legal frame-work with the EU standards, relevant regulations, measures and directives.The 18-month project consists of two components:

Component 1: Further harmoni-zation of legislation

The aim of this component is to fur-

ther harmonize the tax legislation with particular focus on direct taxa-tion (Laws on Personal Income Tax and Corporate Profit Tax). The new draft tax laws will be aligned with the acquis communautaire.

Component 2: Strengthening the Tax Administration Capacity of the Public Revenue Office

The overall objective of this compo-nent is to strengthen and improve the performance of the Public Rev-enue Office. The project focuses on the following areas: further strength-ening the implementation of the in-ternal audit functions, development of the professional standards for the employees, strengthening the capac-ity for efficient combat of tax fraud, improvement of the methodology for enforcement and collection of tax debts, increase efficiency of internal and external communication, provide assistance for regional offices of the Public Revenue Office in Tetovo and Stip.

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TAXES FOR THE BENEFIT OF CITIZENS

More information on EU-funded projects in the country is available on the website of the Delegation of the European Union: www.delmkd.ec.europa.eu

STRENGTHENING WASTE MANAGEMENT CAPACITIES

On 6 October, the EU-funded project: “Strengthening the central and local level administrative capaci-ties for implementation and en-forcement of waste management legislation” was officially launched by European Union Special Repre-sentative and Head of Delegation, Erwan Fouéré, Minister of Environ-ment and Physical Planning, Dr. Nex-hati Jakupi, and the Team Leader of the project, Mr. Frank Schweizer. The project aims to contribute to sustain-able development of the country by strengthening the administrative ca-pacity at national, regional and local level to implement and enforce envi-

ronmental legislation in the area of waste management.

The main beneficiaries of this proj-ect, with a budget of almost 1.3 mil-lion EUR and 20-month duration, are: the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, 17 municipalities in the North-East and East region, including their regional waste man-agement bodies.The project envisages implementa-tion of the following main actions:I. Development of implementing leg-islation in waste management area aligned with the environmental ac-quis;

II. Strengthening the administra-tive capacity of the beneficiaries to implement the waste management legislation; III. Strengthening the administra-tive capacity of the beneficiaries to enforce the waste management leg-islation; IV. Improvement of the coordination between the responsible institutions in the waste management sector; V. Stakeholders involvement in the project implementation and inform-ing the public about the project’s re-sults.

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EU HEALTHY EATING CAMPAIGN

REACHES OUT TO CHILDREN

EU LAUNCHES FIRST E-SKILLS WEEK

Three road shows about the benefits of a healthy diet made the rounds of seven EU countries this autumn, boasting the virtues of fruit, veg-etables and dairy products to 17 000 people in all. More importantly, the average age of most audiences was between 8 and 12 years.

Overweight children are a growing problem in Europe. The EU estimates 22 million children are fat. Of these, 5 million are obese, a number rising by 400 000 every year.“When we look around and see the number of overweight children, it is clear that we must act now,” farm commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel

said as the shows hit the road in September.Over eight weeks, the “Tasty Bunch” toured Belgium, France, the UK, Ire-land, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, stopping at a total of 173 schools.Featuring games and quizzes, the shows were part of an EU campaign to promote healthy eating habits among young people.The campaign complements the EU’s school fruit and milk schemes, also directed toward children. It includes a healthy eating website where chil-dren competed in a treasure hunt with prizes.The site also offers teaching materi-als and advice for parents, like what to do about children who never want to try new foods. Tip: try to involve kids in planning and preparing meals.

Digital technology is essential for Europe to stay competitive. And for you, good skills in this area could deliver a more stimulating job, in a fast-moving environment.

The internet and related technologies have revolutionised the way we live. But the most recent survey shows that, in 2005, over a third of Europe-ans were not computer literate.Although a significant share of these were older people, more than 10% of 16-24 year olds confessed complete ignorance in this area. Not to men-tion that fewer and fewer young peo-

ple are choosing to study IT, leading to shortages of qualified staff in the sector.

Information technologies are now part of every economic activity. They boost company performance and are a source of innovation and productiv-ity gains. The EU needs qualified pro-fessionals in this area if it is to hold its own on world markets and attract inward investment.This is why, in 2007, the European Commission adopted a long term programme to encourage computer skills. This included a campaign to

raise awareness among students, young professionals and small firms of the many opportunities technology provides. It culminates this week in European e-Skills week (1–5 March).Throughout the week, special events across Europe are expected to attract some 300 000 people. The Commis-sion will also use the occasion to showcase the results of its e-Skills programme. And new technologies will also be at the heart of the EU’s new economic strategy for Europe – “Europe 2020” – which will push sus-tainable growth based on knowledge and innovation.

New

s from Brussels

News from Brussels

http://ec.europa.eu/news/science/100226_en.htm

(http://ec.europa.eu/news/agriculture/091208_en.htm

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As many as 75% of Europeans deem that stronger coordination of eco-nomic and financial policies among EU member states would be effec-tive in fighting the economic crisis, according to the Spring 2010 Euro-barometer, the bi-annual opinion poll organised by the EU in the member states and candidate countries. The survey was conducted in May – at the height of the European debt cri-sis – and published at the end of Au-gust. Europeans’ main areas of concern in the crisis remain unemployment (48), the current economic situation (40%) and rising prices (20%). The crisis also had an influence on citi-zens’ perception of the EU: the num-ber of Europeans who associate the Union with the euro increased from 37% in autumn 2009 to 40%, at the expense of the percentage of those who link it with the freedom to trav-el, study and work anywhere in the EU (it decreased from 46% to 45%), and of citizens who associate it with peace (from 28% to 24%).

The results highlight citizens’ grow-ing expectations from the EU: an in-creasing number (26% from 22%)

believe that neither the US nor the G20, but the EU is best placed for taking effective action against the crisis.

When asked about the benefits of EU membership, 49% of Europeans said in May that EU membership of their country was a ‘good thing’ (in autumn 2009 their percentage was 53%). The citizens’ perception seems to have been affected by the circumstances in the period when the survey was conducted: the package of stabilisation measures was not yet fully operational (this only happened in June) and Greece was hit by severe budgetary prob-lems during the first months of the year and there was a risk of con-tagion spreading to other member states. Nevertheless, public support for EU membership was still higher than in 2001, when it stood at 48%.

The survey also found that in May 2010 trust in the EU institutions re-mained higher compared to national governments or national parlia-ments (42% vs. 29% and 31%, re-spectively), even though confidence in the EU fell at the height of the crisis (to 42% from 48% in autumn

2009). Trust was most pronounced in Estonia (68%), Slovakia (65%), Bulgaria and Denmark (61%), whilst it was lowest in the United Kingdom (20%).

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EU Policies

EU Policies

EU CITIZENS FAVOUR STRONGERECONOMIC GOVERNANCE

Similarly to the trend in EU member states, the Spring 2010 Eurobarom-eter showed a decline in public support in the for-mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for EU mem-bership (from 66% in autumn 2009 to 60% in May 2010). Around 11% believed that the mem-bership would be a ‘bad thing’, while 27% thought it would be ‘neither good nor bad’. As many as 73% of the citizens consider that the country would benefit from EU member-ship (3% less compared to the previous Euroba-rometer).

On 9 May, the ministers of finance and economy of the EU adopted a package of measures to preserve financial stability in Europe totalling to 500 billion euros. The measures also included the support package for Greece. Some 110 billion euros were made available to help Greece meet its financing needs, with the euro area member states ready to contribute 80 billion, of which up to 30 billion in the first year. The idea was to fully finance the financial needs for 2010 and 2011 and to allow for a progressive return on the market from 2012 onwards. The ministers strongly sup-ported the commitment of Portugal and Spain to take significant additional consolidation measures in 2010 and 2011. Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, said that the pack-age of measures ‘was not only about Greece, but about the finance stability of the EU as a whole and of the Euro area as a whole’.

The latest survey showed strong public support for synchronised actions of all member states in tackling economic problems, but also a more negative perception of the benefits from membership as a result of the crisis

All charts available at: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb73/eb73_fact_mk_en.pdf

Spring 2010 Compared to autumn 2009 Spring 2010 Compared to

autumn 2009

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EU InfoCentre

European Union Information CentreM.H.Jasmin 52 v 1000 SkopjeTel./Fax. ++389 (0)2 329 63 63Working Hours Monday-Friday 09-18; Saturday 10-13

For information on forthcoming events in the EU InfoCentre please visit our website www.euic.mk

On the occasion of Car Free Day (22 September), about 400 bicyclists from Skopje participated in the

bicycle parade, an activity organised as part of the European Mobility Week. Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, Minister of Environment and Psychical Planning, Nex-hati Jakupi and the City of Skopje Secretary, Gor-dana Ivanovic greeted the participants at the ‘finish line’ in front of the EU InfoCentre. Five participants were lucky lottery winners of bicycles donated by the Ministry of Environment and Psychical Planning.

This was a wonderful day for Skopje and the citizens because the city joined other 2000 cities around the world also marking this day, stressed Ambassador Fouéré. He thanked the Ministry of Environment and Psychical Planning and the City of Skopje who organ-ised this bicycle parade in partnership with the EU InfoCentre.

European Mobility Week – Travel Smarter, Live Better

Tijana Dodov from Skopje won the prize of best drawing on Gender Equality organised by the European Commission

“I couldn’t believe when my mum told me that I had won the 1st award. I was very happy”, the vis-ibly excited little Tijana Dodov said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition of 14 best drawings of the International competition on Gender Equality at t h e EU InfoCentre. The 10 year old

from the Jan Amos Komen-ski elementary school

from Skopje won the award for best draw-ing in the European Neighbouring Coun-

tries category. The competition was launched by the Commission on the International Women’s Day, 8 March 2010.The EUSR and Head of EU Delegation, Ambassador Erwan FOUÉRÉ congratulated Tijana on her success and handed out the certificate by saying how proud she had made her parents, teacher, school mates and the whole country.The 14 winning drawings will be exhibited at the EU InfoCentre for three weeks. As of 9 November, the winning drawings will be exhibited at the Musée des Enfants in Brussels.

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