2 nd SIGMA NETWORKING SEMINAR

1. 2nd SIGMA NETWORKING SEMINAR OECD Conference CentreParis 27-28 November 2008

2. Experience on PAR in Croatia European Commission

3. Constantino Longares Barrio • EC official. Head of Operations section EC Delegation BiH • Head of Operations section EC Delegation HR • DG ELARG • EC Delegation Poland • UN and others in Bulgaria and Romania Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

4. Public Administration Reform and Enlargement • What are we talking about? • PAR is a condition for accession • As such it is not well defined • But recent experiences show the potential problems • PAR in the networked society Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

5. The experience from previous enlargement • Reforms should be undertaken well in advance in the enlargement process • Cross cutting reforms very relevant • Lack of clear indication about what this means • Need to organize ideas and steps to be followed Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

6. Candidate country’s perspective • Reforms are needed, but only to some extent • Why do Donors/EC push so much? • Ready to accept assistance but then reluctant to implement the results • Why is all this needed? Constantino Longares Barrio European Commission

7. Situation in Croatia • Opinion on HR accession (2005) • Subsequent progress reports highlight shortcomings • Lack of strategic approach • Lack of adequate resources • Lack of political feasibility Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

8. What did the EC do to help? • Financed projects • Advocated for changes • Engaged experts like SIGMA • Tried to cooperate/coordinate action with other donors Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

9. IS THIS NEW? • NO. The novelty is that we succeeded in helping. • This is not always the case. Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

10. KEY SUCCESS ELEMENTS • A clear initial assessment (SIGMA) • Adequate timeline • Adequate sequencing • Coordination with other donors Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

11. What does it take to get there? • Vision (MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT) • Leadership • Openness to different models/advices • (Some) ownership Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

12. Some challenging elements • Delays in implementation. • First project for HR programmed in 2001 • Law only adopted in 2005 and entered into force in 2006 • EC programming and implementation cycle Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

13. Recommendations for potential candidate countries • Start from the beginning. SIGMA assessment or peer reviews. • Plan several years ahead • Don’t do everything yourself. Let other donors help • Be pragmatic. Some ownership is enough to start Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

14. DID WE MISS ANYTHING? • Linkage with fight against corruption • Linkage with the conditions for accession related to rule of law • More citizen information about changes Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission

15. Thank you for your attention • constantino.longares@ec.europa.eu Constantino Longares Barrio - European Commission