EU Corner
MONTENEGRIN STEPS TOWARDS EU Action plan for negotiation of chapters 23 and 24 At the end of June 2013. The government adopted an action plan for chapters 23 and 24 relating to the rule of law and justice that are crucial in the process of negotiations between Montenegro and the European Union. Action plans can be downloaded here: The Action Plan on Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights, The Action Plan on Chapter 24 - Justice, freedom and security http://www.mip.gov.me/en/images/ stories/EI_download/26_VI_13_ AP_23_za_portal.pdf
Montenegro – Negotiations status Negotiations opened
1 – Free movement of goods 2 – Freedom of movement of workers 3 – Right of est. & freedom to provide services 4 – Free movement of capital 5 – Public procurement 6 – Company law 7 – Intellectual property rights 8 – Competition policy 9 – Financial services 10 – Information society and media 11 – Agriculture and rural development 12 – Food safety, vet. & phytosanitary policy
Bilateral screening process From May to July 2013 the bilateral screening of EU legislation was held on the following topics: Chapter 2 Freedom of movement of workers, Chapter 9 - Financial services, Chapter 13 – Fisheries, Chapter 14 - Transport policy, Chapter 18 – Statistics, Chapter 21 - TransEuropean networks, Chapter 29 Customs union, Chapter 30 - external relations, Chapter 31 - Foreign, security and defense policy, Chapter 32 - Financial control and Chapter 33 - Financial and budgetary provisions.
13 – Fisheries
Explanatory screening process From May to July 2013 an explanatory analytical overview was held about the following chapters: Chapter 18 – Statistics, Chapter 29 - Customs union, Chapter 20 - External relations, Chapter 31 - Foreign, security and defense policy, Chapter 32 - Financial control and Chapter 33 - Financial and budgetary provisions. ■
27 – Environment
Source: www.mip.gov.me
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Negotiations closed
14 – Transport policy 15 – Energy 16 – Taxation 17 – Economic and monetary policy 18 – Statistics 19 – Social policy and employment 20 – Enterprise and industrial policy 21 – Trans-european networks 22 – Regional pol. & coord. of structural instr. 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights 24 – Justice, freedom and security 25 – Science and research 26 – Education and culture 28 – Consumer and health protection 29 – Customs union 30 – External relations 31 – Foreign, security and defense policy 32 – Financial control 33 – Financial and budgetary provisions 34 – Institutions 35 – Other issues Source: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/
18 December 2012 18 December 2012 15 April 2013
15 April 2013
EU Corner
EU Funds In Focus: European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR 2013)
The Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro published a call for proposal under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Program. The global objective of this Call for Proposals is: Strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, in supporting the peaceful conciliation of group interests and in consolidating political participation and representation. For the purpose of this Call for Proposals three specific objectives have been identified: 1. The pursuit of common agendas for human rights and democratic reform 2. Building towards consensus on disputed or controversial areas of policy 3. Enhancing political representation and participation Any grant requested under this Call for Proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts: - minimum amount: € 50,000 - maximum amount: € 150,000 The initial planned duration of an action may not be less than 12 months nor exceed 24 months. Actions must take place in Montenegro. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to consider activities in disadvantaged areas, such as the north of Montenegro. The deadline for submission of proposals was: 22nd July 2013. ■ Source: http://www.delmne.ec.europa.eu/
Croatia become part of the EU On 1 July 2013, the Republic of Croatia became the 28th Member State of the European Union. The EU accession process which has taken some 12 years provided Croatia with the impetus to undertake far-reaching reforms and harmonise its legislation with the EU’s acquis communautaire. Croatian steps towards EU accession The process of integrating Croatia into the European Union started with the EU’s Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkans launched in 2001, after which it applied for EU membership in 2003. The accession talks were formally opened in spring 2005. Though negotiations were held up by a set of issues, the process was completed in 2011. The Treaty between Croatia and the 27 EU Member States was signed on 9 December 2011. A referendum in Croatia on 22 January 2012 showed that 66 % of voters were in favour of joining the EU. Throughout the interim period until the accession, Croatia had an active observer status in the European Institutions to allow its officials to become familiar with the working methods of the EU institutions and to be involved in the decision-making process. Ongoing structural reforms As a member of the EU, Croatia will continue to focus on structural reforms. Croatia will benefit from investment through the EU Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds which will amount to EUR 450 million. This investment is expected to account for a HUNGARY large share of the country’s SLOVENIA ZAGREB development budget in the SERBIA OSIJEK years ahead, and presents SISAK RIJEKA VUKOVAR an important opportunity to address Croatia’s needs. It PULA can contribute towards the BOSINA AND development of a modern HERZEGOVINA ZADAR and competitive economy ŠIBENIK that will both benefit from SPLIT DUGI RAT and be an asset to the EU. ■ ADRIATIC SEA
MONTENEGRO DUBROVNIK
Source: Panorama Magazine, http:// ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information/panorama/index_en.cfm
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