Transcript Slide 1
Cross-Border Cooperation The experience of the Republic of Macedonia Ms. Orhideja Kaljosevska, Secretariat for European Affairs Government of the Republic of Macedonia Cross-Border Cooperation Before the EU Programmes for Cross-Border Cooperation Weak contacts between border municipalities Lack of communication and cooperation initiatives No joint cross-border priorities Existing cooperation on government level Cross-Border Cooperation EU Programmes for Cross-Border Cooperation 1996 - 1999 Phare CBC with Greece 1997 - 1999 Phare Multicountry Programme CREDO with Albania and Bulgaria 2000 - 2003 CARDS CBC with Greece 2004 - 2006 CARDS CBC with Greece and Bulgaria 2007-2013 CBC Component of IPA Cross-Border Cooperation The Importance of the EU Programmes Commencement of cooperation between the neighboring border regions (Greece and Bulgaria) Joint cross-border priorities Learning by doing Full implementation of the Phare CBC Programme with Greece Good political and economic relations between the neighboring countries Cross-Border Cooperation 1996-1999 Phare Programme (1) Allocation by year PHARE 1996-1999 37 million € 1996 1997 1998 1999 10 mil. € 10 mil € 10 mil. € 7 mil. € Cross-Border Cooperation 1996-1999 Phare Programme (2) Allocation by sector 84% Infrastructure Monitoring and Planning 3% Protection of the Environment 4% Programme Management Socio-economic development 3% 6% Cross-Border Cooperation 1996-1999 Phare CREDO Programme (1) The idea behind CREDO Multi-country grant scheme for cross-border cooperation projects between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Bulgaria. The objective of the Credo Programme was to promote good neighborliness, social stability and economic development in the border regions by providing funding for projects which yield tangible benefits to both sides of the border Cross-Border Cooperation 1996-1999 Phare CREDO Programme (2) Undergone Projects 1. Republic of Macedonia with Republic of Albania: Project in the area of environment, Project in the area of NGO collaboration, Project in the area of local administrations; 2. Republic of Macedonia with Republic of Bulgaria: Infrastructure study, Project in the area of environment, Project in the area of education, Project in the area of local administrations; Cross-Border Cooperation 2004-2006 Creating a ring of friends around the borders of the Republic of Macedonia After the Thessalonica Summit in 2003, Macedonia has received additional funds for CBC through the CARDS Regional Programme and they are as following (yearly rates): Cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Greece 1.8 mil. € Cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Bulgaria 1mil. € INTERREG III B CADSES 0.2 mil. € Cross-Border Cooperation 2004-2006 Following the two step approach Creating a Neighbourhood Programmes for the period 2004-2006 that has had the following features: enabled funding to be allocated on both sides of the border programme priorities took into account the aim of the Wider Europe Communication had balanced membership in the management and the committee structures from both sides of the border established single application procedure and joint decision making Cross-Border Cooperation Republic of Macedonia Republic of Bulgaria 2004-2006 (1) Phare CBC/CARDS Programme Purpose: support towards faster integration of the region through cooperation. Eligibility: the eligible area for the CBC NP includes 2 regions and 23 municipalities on the Bulgarian side and 21 municipalities on the Macedonian side by NUTS III. Management Structure: -Joint Cooperation Committee, JCC -Joint Steering Committee, JSC -Joint Technical Secretariat, JTS Implementation Status: 4 Calls for Proposals have been launched in the amount of 2 mil EUR. 2 of them have been completed and 9 grants have been thus far allocated. Two more Calls for Proposals will be launched until mid 2008. Cross-Border Cooperation Republic of Macedonia Republic of Bulgaria 2004-2006 (2) Achievement of economic, social, cultural and ecological sustainability in the programme area, thus ensuring integration into the Wider European cooperation Priorities Specific Objective 1 Specific Objective 2 Specific Objective 3 Specific Objective 4 Improvement of the environment and infrastructure supporting cross-border cooperation Protection of natural and cultural resources promoting sustainable development Development of complementary economic activities with the aim of creating jobs and generating additional wealth Creation of viable crossborder contacts at different levels and sectors of activities PRIORITY 1 PRIORITY 2 Sustainable spatial development of the crossborder region Promotion of cross-border cooperation between public institutions and businesses MEASURE 1.1: Management and valorisation of natural and cultural heritage MEASURE 2.1: Cooperation among public institutions at regional/ local level MEASURE 1.2: Modernisation and extension of the existing small-scale infrastructure MEASURE 2.2: Cooperation in the field of business activities MEASURE 4.1: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PRIORITY 3 People-to-people actions MEASURE 3.1: People-to-people actions Cross-Border Cooperation Republic of Macedonia Republic of Bulgaria 2004-2006 (3) Financial Allocation of CARDS funds Priorities 2004 2005 2006 Priority 1 450.000 500.000 500.000 Priority 2 300.000 210.000 210.000 Priority 3 200.000 250.000 250.000 TA 50.000 40.000 40.000 Cross-Border Cooperation Republic of Macedonia Hellenic Republic 2004-2006 (1) INTERREG III A/ CARDS Programme Funding: 3.6 million EUR are available for development and implementation of projects Eligibility: The eligible regions of Programme implementation are as follows: -Republic of Greece: The Regions of Central Macedonia (Prefectures of Thessalonica, Kilkis, Pella) and Western Macedonia (Prefecture of Florina) -Republic of Macedonia: The regions of Bac, Bistrica, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bosilivo, Capari, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Gevgelija, Kavadarci, Konopista, Kuklis, Miravci, Murtino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Prilep, Resen, Star Dojran, Staravina, Topolcani, Valandovo, Vitoliste, Ohrid and Strumica Cross-Border Cooperation Republic of Macedonia Hellenic Republic 2004-2006 (2) There is an existing JPD that has been modified due to the new approach Joint call for proposals was launched on 21.11.2006 for total of 3.5 million EUR for the Republic of Macedonia Priorities AXIS 1. AXIS 2. AXIS 3. AXIS 4. Cross-border infrastructures Economic development and employment Quality of life – environment Technical assistance Cross-Border Cooperation Republic of Macedonia Hellenic Republic 2004-2006 (3) Financial Allocation of CARDS funds Year CARDS Funds 2004 1.800.000 2005 1.800.000 Cross-Border Cooperation 2004-2006 CADSES (1) INTERREG III B - CADSES Funds: 0.6 million EUR are available for development and project implementation Objectives: - Contribute to spatial integration in the area; - Contribute to competitiveness, efficiency and growth in the respective regions; - Contribute to economic and social cohesion within the countries and regions and between the countries; - Ensure the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage, the protection of the environment and the sustainability of development; - Contribute to the promotion of equal opportunities between women and men Cross-Border Cooperation 2004-2006 CADSES (2) Outcome of the Programme Participation in the 4th call for proposal for the first time in the CADSES Programme. According to the National Coordinator for CADSES, the Ministry for Environment and Physical Planning there were 238 qualified projects, 178 projects were rated at suitable for according to the criteria , and 26 of them are recommended for approval on the next meeting of the Joint Steering Committee, and 2 of them were selected. Two projects have been approved. Cross-Border Cooperation 1996-2006 General Remarks Positive experience in the period 1996-2006 (RM-AL, RM-RB, RMRG, CADSES) Critical issues in the period 1996-2006 (RM-AL, RM-RB, RM-RG, CADSES) - Complicated management structures affecting the communication - Different regulations regarding financing - Unavailable 5% TA effecting the start of the NP - Finding other resources from National Funds as an alternative, not as a long term solution - Better coordination and cooperation between all parties involved - More focused regional strategy - Need for networking and closer collaboration (regional workshops, sharing of experiences) Cross-Border Cooperation 2007-2013 (1) Beyond 2006 IPA Component II – Cross Border Cooperation Challenges ahead 2007-2013: - Expecting greater flexibility in defining cross-border priorities and activities - Simplified programme procedures - Commencement of CBC programmes with the other neighbor countries IPA CBC The Republic of Macedonia has bilaterally programmed: Cross Border Cooperation Programme with the Republic of Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme with the Republic of Albania Cross Border Cooperation Programme with the Republic of Greece and has participated in the elaboration of the Transnational Programme for SEE CBC Republic of Macedonia Republic of Greece Priority Axis 1- Enhancement of cross border economic development Priority Axis 2- Enhancement of the environmental resources and cultural heritage Priority Axis 3 - Technical Assistance Republic of Bulgaria Priority axis 1 - Economic Development and social cohesion Priority Axis 2 - Improvement the Quality of Life Priority Axis 3 - Technical Assistance Republic of Albania Priority Axis 1 - Fostering cross border economic, environmental and social development Priority Axis 2 - Technical assistance Other IPA CBC Programmes CBC Republic of Macedonia - Serbia and Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) no Cross Border Programma has been programmed for the northern border (the funds for 2007 have been re-allocated to the cross border programme with Albania) GoRM is confident that joint CBC programmes with its northern border will be programmed for 2008, thereby offering the equal possibility for cross border cooperation to all its bordering areas. Transnational SEE GoRM has expressed interest for participation in the transnational programme for SEE and has committed annual allocations of 500.000 for the next three years. Priority axes: innovation: the creation and development of scientific and technological networks, and the enhancement of regional R&TD and innovation capacities, where these make a direct contribution to the balanced economic development of transnational areas.; environment: water management, energy efficiency, risk prevention and environmental protection activities with a clear transnational dimension. accessibility: activities to improve access to and quality of transport and telecommunications services where these have a clear transnational dimension. sustainable urban development: strengthening polycentric development at transnational, national and regional level, with a clear transnational impact. Annual allocations per Programme Programme 2007 Bulgaria 720.346 Greece 785.021 Albania 2.200.000 Serbia Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 SEES 453.020 Total 4.158.387 2008 2009 Total 1.230.711 1.341.208 1.000.000 600.000 600.000 506.080 5.277.999 1.345.259 1.466.040 1.000.000 600.000 600.000 560.202 5.571.501 3.296.316 3.592.269 4.200.000 1.200.000 1.200.000 1.519.302 15.007.887 Thank you for your attention!