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EC cooperation with Georgia. ENP AP. Introduction.
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EC cooperation with Georgia ENP AP
Introduction • The enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004 has brought a historical shift for the Union in political, geographic and economic terms, further reinforcing the political and economic interdependence between the EU and neighbouring countries. • It offers the opportunity for the EU and neighbouring countries to develop an increasingly close relationship, going beyond co-operation, to involve a significant measure of economic integration and a deepening of political co-operation.
Introduction • The approach is founded on partnership, joint ownership and differentiation. • The ENP sets ambitious objectives based on commitments to shared values and effective implementation of political, economic and institutional reforms.
Action Plan • Political document laying out the strategic objectives of the cooperation between each neighbourhood countries and the EU • Covers a time frame of five years
Implementation of Action Plan • Will help fulfil the provisions in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) • Build ties in new areas • Will encourage and support neighbourhood countries’ objective of further integration into European economic and social structures.
Implementation of Action Plan • Will significantly advance the approximation of neighbourhood countries’ legislation, norms and standards to those of the European Union • Will build solid foundations for further economic integration based on the adoption and implementation of economic and trade-related rules and regulations with the potential to enhance trade, investment and growth
New partnership perspectives opened by ENP • The perspective of moving beyond cooperation to a significant degree of integration, including through a stake in the EU’s Internal Market, and the possibility for neighbourhood countries to participate progressively in key aspects of EU policies and programmes;
New partnership perspectives opened by ENP • Deepening trade and economic relations; Providing the opportunity for convergence of economic legislation, the opening of economies to each other and the continued reduction of non-tariff barriers to trade, which will stimulate investment, exports and growth;
New partnership perspectives opened by ENP • Increased financial support: EU financial assistance for ENP countries and new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) • Support including technical assistance and twinning to meet EU norms and standards, and targeted advice and support for legislative approximation through a mechanism such as TAIEX;
Priority areas • Rule of law • Improvement of business climate • Economic development and poverty reduction • Cooperation on JLS and border management • Regional cooperation • Resolution of internal conflicts • Cooperation on foreign and security policy • Transport and Energy
Monitoring and follow up • Yearly cooperation committe • Yearly sub committees (Trade and Economics, JLS) • Yearly progress reports • Consultation with major stakeholders • GoG implementation plan
1st progress reports on 2007 • Good progesss on judiciary reforms, improving state revenues and fight against corruption (but independence and impartiality of judiciary remains an issue) • Progress in improving business climate, reforming revenue service and VET • Proper implementation of laws in the area of governance and human rights is needed
Progress and problems • Food safety • Labour code • Secondary legislation for customs code • Competition and company law • Prison conditions • Property rights • Civil service law • Statistics
EC cooperation with Georgia ENPI - Context, challenges and timeframe
ENPI - Main facts Scope Country specific programmes Cross border cooperation with EU Member States Region 17 countries: Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus, Middle East Funding Average €1.6 billion per year Ref Reg: 1638/2006 of 24.10.06 Replaces Mainly Tacis and Meda Regulations
Strategy Papers Multi-annual Indicative Programmes Annual ActionProgramme The programming process ►normally attached to Strategy Papers ► set global and per priority allocations ► cover 3 – 4 years ►annual ► describe projects identified for financing ► define the budget per project ►lead to EC decision & commitments of funds ► Analysis of the situation ► Response strategy ►Priority sectors ► 7 years ► revised at mid-term
CSP and NIP define four priority areas four Geogia • Support for democratic development, rule of law and governance • Support for economic development and ENP AP implementation • Support for poverty reduction and social reforms • Support for peaceful settlement of Georgia’s internal conflicts
Allocation for Georgia • NIP 2007-2010 124 million €uro 2007 : 24 M€ 2008: 28,8 M€ 2009 : 30,4 M€ 2010: 37,2 M€
Other funds and instruments • Regional programmes (especially transport, energy, environment) • Interregionalprogramms (Erasmus, Tempus, Taiex, Sigma, etc.) • Cross Border Cooperation • Specific instruments (EIDHR, IfS) • Thematic budget lines (NSA, Migration, etc.) • Specific funds (governance facility, investment facility)
Ongoing Tacis projects • Still TACIS projects from 2004 to 2006 • Ca. 200 contracts in many areas • Rule of law and governance • Customs, taxes • Border management and fight against drugs • Health • Statistics • Etc.
New cooperation modalities • Isolated TA projects almost abolished • Sector support programmes (including budget support) • Twinning
For Georgia the structure for AP is quite straight forward • 1 sector programme (to be chosen each year in function of the PIN and sector readiness) • 1 twinning programme (kind of facility that can respond to the whole area covered by NIP) • 1 conflict intervention (rather project oriented)
Sector choice within NIP so far • 2007 “Public finance management” • 2008 “Criminal justice reform” • 2009 still in discussion. Probably “Vocational training and educational”
Programming challenges for AP 2008 • “Twinning” still experiences little request • “Conflict” very sensitive issues with little input from government so far. Difficulty to agree on activities as well with Georgian government as with the break away regions • “Rule of law” still not very structured sector
Timeframe AP2008 • 11/07 DEC sent first draft proposal on budget allocation to government • 12/07 Official response and Elaboration of Project Identification Fiches (PIF) • 12/07 PIF go through first Quality support group meeting (QSG1) • 02/08 Finalisation of Action Fiches and QSG2 • 03/08 Launching of Inter service consultation • 05/08 ENPI Committee meeting • 06/08 End of European Parliament’s right of scrutiny • 07/08 Commission Decision • 08/08 Financing Agreements • 10/08 Beginning of implementation period