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Albania. Croatia. T he European Union and the Western Balkans. Serbia and Montenegro. Bosnia and Herzegovina. former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The European Union. 494 million citizens from May 2004* 25 Member States from May 2004 GDP of € 8,524.38 million*
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Albania Croatia The European Unionand the Western Balkans Serbia andMontenegro Bosniaand Herzegovina former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
The European Union • 494 million citizens from May 2004* • 25 Member States from May 2004 • GDP of € 8,524.38 million* • Single currency, the euro, since 2002 for 12 members • Committed to closer political and economic integration *Eurostat 2002
The EU in the Western Balkans Recognising the importance of the Western Balkans the EU has: • Promoted stability in the region through its assistance programmes • Supported democracy through political dialogue • Launched in 1999 the Stabilisation and Association process (SAp)
Stabilisation andAssociation process (SAp) The SAp is the framework policy of the EU in the region serving to: • Promote European values andprincipals • Act as an anchor for reforms • Open the way for eventual membership of the EU
SAp objectives The SAp aims to: • Bring peace and stability to region • Promote stable democratic institutions • Ensure rule of law prevails • Develop and sustain prosperous, open economies
SAp instruments The process has three main instruments for support: • Trade • Stabilisation and association agreements • Financial assistance
Trade • EU is the largest trade partner for region • EU will account for over 70% of total trade* • Most goods now enter EU duty free • Regional network of free trade agreements in place *Post Enlargement
Stabilisation and AssociationAgreements (SAA) SAA is a formal agreement providing a framework for: • Closer political dialogue • Establishment of free trade area • Enhanced regional cooperation • Harmonisation of legislation
Financial Assistance CARDS • € 4, 65 billion has been allocated tothe CARDS programme for 2000-2006 • Assistance to the region since 1991 totals more than € 6 billion
Financial Assistance II Country 2000-2004 (€ m) Albania...................................................€ 214.2 Bosnia and Herzegovina.......................€ 395.4 Croatia...................................................€ 267.3 fYR Macedonia......................................€ 239.5 Serbia and Montenegro....€ 1,105.5 (+ € 832.4*) Regional programmes..............................€ 80 *Kosovo
What is CARDS? • CARDS - European Union’s assistance programme to the region • Adopted by Council Regulation 2666/2000 • Rationalised most assistance under one programme (Obnova, Phare) • Underpins Stabilisation and Association process
CARDS objectives • Reconstruction and democratic stabilisation • Institutional and legislative development, including harmonisation with EU norms • Sustainable economic and social development • Promotion of closer relations and regional cooperation
CARDS programming A Country Strategy Paper (CSP) outlines in general terms: • Policy response • Cooperation objectives • Programme priorities
CARDS programming II Annual programmes for each countrydetail: • Summary of situation • Budget allocation per sector • Project outline for budget year
CARDS Management National programmes are managed by: • Commission delegations in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania • European Agency for Reconstruction in SerbiaMontenegro &fYR Macedonia • Headquarters for regional programmes, Tempus and CAFAO
CARDS sectors There are five priority sectors: • Justice and home affairs • Administrative capacity building • Economic and social development • Democratic stabilisation • Environment and natural resources
Justice and home affairs Priority sectors include support for: • Reform of the judiciary and police • Migration and asylum policy • Integrated border management • The fight against organised crime
Administrative capacity building Priority sectors include support for: • Public administration • Taxation • Customs systems
Economic and socialdevelopment Priority sectors include support for: • Economic reform • Social cohesion • Local infrastructure development • Education
Democraticstabilisation Priority sectors include support for: • Civil society development • Refugee return • Media reform
Environment and natural resources Priority sectors include support for: • Institution strengthening • Monitoring • Urban and rural planning
Albania • Capital: Tirana • Population (WB 2002): 3.19 million • GDP per capita (2002): € 4,500* • CARDS assistance (2000-2004): € 214.2m • Negotiations on SAA opened in 2003 *World Fact Book 2002
Albania Priority sectors under CARDS include: • Judicial reform and the fight against crime • Strengthening public administration • Economic & social development • Pollution monitoring and urban planning • Democratic stabilisation
Albania(2002-2004) *European Commission
Bosnia andHerzegovina • Capital: Sarajevo • Population (WB 2002): 4.1 million • GDP per capita (2002): € 1,600* • CARDS assistance (2000-2004): € 395.4m • Feasibility study completed for SAA *World Fact Book 2002
Bosnia andHerzegovina Priority sectors under CARDS include: • Refugee return and media reform • Support to institutions (tax, customs) • Economic development & social cohesion • Policing, asylum and migration • Integrated border management • Environment and natural resources
Bosnia and Herzegovina(2002-2004) *European Commission
Croatia • Capital: Zagreb • Population (WB 2002): 4.37 million • GDP per capita (2002): € 7,800* • CARDS assistance (2000-2004): € 267.3m • SAA signed in October 2001 • Applied for EU membership in 2003 *World Fact Book 2002
Croatia Priority sectors under CARDS include: • Refugee return • Trade, investment climate and social cohesion • Policing and organised crime • Integrated border management • Public administration reform • Environment and natural resources
Croatia (2002-2004) *European Commission *European Commission
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia • Capital: Skopje • Population (WB 2002): 2.04 million • GDP per capita (2002): € 4,430 • CARDS assistance (2000-2004): € 239.5m • SAA signed in April 2001 *World Fact Book 2002
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Priority sectors under CARDS include: • Customs and taxation • Public administration reform • Energy, transport and the environment • Enhancing regional cooperation • Vocational education and higher education
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(2002-2004) *European Commission
Serbia and Montenegro • Capital: Belgrade • Population (WB 2002): 10.7 million • GDP per capita (2002): € 2,100* • CARDS assistance (2000-2004): € 1,106.4m, (+ € 831.5 Kosovo) • Feasibility study underway for SAA (09/03) *World Fact Book 2002
Serbia andMontenegro Priority sectors under CARDS include: • Interethnic relations and civil society • Trade and private sector development • Infrastructure development • Reform of the judiciary • Integrated border management • Immigration and asylum • Fight against crime
Serbia andMontenegro(2002-2004) *European Commission
Kosovo (2002-2004) *European Commission
Regional programmes Priority sectors under CARDS include: • Integrated border management • Institution building for SAp • Regional cooperation • Development of regional infrastructure • Civil society development
Regional(2001/2003) *European Commission
Projects • External aid delivered via service contracts or grants • Contracts awarded on basis of open competition (tenders) • Published on the EuropeAid web site • Open to 25 EU member states, Candidate and CARDS countries.
Security in the region European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia started in January 2003: • Took over from International Police Task Force (UN) • Budget: €38 million • 500 police officers from more than 30 countries
EUPM Objectives: • Help Bosnian authorities develop local police forces to EU standards • Ensure sustainable institutional structures by end of 2005
Proxima To contribute to stability and security in the fYR Macedonia: • Started in December 2003 • EU civil police mission • Took over from Mission Concordia • 200 police officers stationed throughout the country
Contacts http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/index.htm http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/cards/index_en.htm • Albania: www.delalb.cec.eu.int • BiH: www.delbih.cec.eu.int • Croatia: www.delhrv.cec.eu.int • FYR Macedonia: www.delmkd.cec.eu.int • Serbia/Montenegro: www.eudelyug.org • EAR www.ear.eu.int
Contacts II • Speakers Name: • Office address: • Email contact: