# Council and Commission Decision of 22 July 2013 establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union and            the European Atomic Energy Community within the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council concerning a Decision of the            EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council adopting its rules of procedure (2013/489/EU, Euratom)         

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U.K.

# Council and Commission Decision

# of 22 July 2013

# establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community within the                        EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council concerning a Decision of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council                        adopting its rules of procedure                     

# (2013/489/EU, Euratom)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 in conjunction with Article                           218(8) and Article 218(9) thereof,                        

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 101 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the approval of the Council granted pursuant to Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic                           Energy Community,                        

Having regard to Council and Commission Decision 2013/490/EU, Euratom of 22 July 2013 on the conclusion of the Stabilisation                           and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia,                           of the other part(1), and in particular Article 3(1) thereof,                        

Whereas:

(1)Article 119 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the                              one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part (‘the Agreement’), establishes a Stabilisation and Association Council.

(2)Article 120 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

(3)Article 122 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be assisted by a Stabilisation                              and Association Committee.

(4)Article 122 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall, in its rules of procedure, determine                              the duties of the Stabilisation and Association Committee and that the Stabilisation and Association Council may delegate                              any of its powers to the Stabilisation and Association Committee.

(5)Article 124 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council may decide to set up other special committees                              or bodies that can assist it in carrying out its duties. It further provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council                              shall, in its rules of procedure, determine the composition and the duties of such committees and bodies and how they shall                              function.

(6)Dialogue and cooperation between social partners and other civil society organisations as well as regional and local authorities                              in the European Union and those in Serbia can make a major contribution to the development of their relations and the integration                              of Europe.

(7)It is appropriate that such cooperation be organised by setting up two Joint Consultative Committees,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

# Sole ArticleU.K.

The position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community within the EU-Serbia Stabilisation                     and Association Council concerning a Decision of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council adopting its rules of                     procedure shall be based on the draft Decision of the Stabilisation and Association Council, attached to this Decision.                  

Done at Brussels, 22 July 2013.

*For the Council*                            

*The President*                            

C. Ashton                            

*For the Commission On behalf of the President*                            

C. Malmström                            

*Member of the Commission*                            

U.K.

# DRAFT

# DECISION No 1

# OF THE EU – SERBIA STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

# of ...

# adopting its rules of procedure

THE STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and its Member States, of the                                 one part, and the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter referred to as ‘Serbia’), of the other part (hereinafter referred to as                                 the ‘Agreement’), and in particular Articles 119, 120, 122 and 124 thereof,                              

Whereas that Agreement entered into force on ...,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

## Article 1U.K.Chairmanship

The Stabilisation and Association Council shall be chaired alternately for periods of 12 months by the President of the Foreign                           Affairs Council of the European Union, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States and the European Atomic Energy                           Community, and by a representative of the Government of Serbia. The first period shall begin on the date of the first Stabilisation                           and Association Council meeting and end on 31 December 2013.                        

## Article 2U.K.Meetings

The Stabilisation and Association Council shall meet at ministerial level once a year. Special sessions of the Stabilisation                           and Association Council may be held at the request of either Party, if the Parties so agree. Unless otherwise agreed by the                           Parties, each session of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be held at the usual venue for meetings of the Council                           of the European Union on a date agreed by both Parties. Meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be jointly                           convened by the Secretaries of the Stabilisation and Association Council in agreement with the Chairman.                        

## Article 3U.K.Representation

The members of the Stabilisation and Association Council, if unable to attend, may be represented. If a member wishes to be                           so represented, he shall notify the Chairman of the name of his representative before the meeting at which he is to be so                           represented. The representative of a member of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall exercise all the rights of                           that member.                        

## Article 4U.K.Delegations

The members of the Stabilisation and Association Council may be accompanied by officials. Before each meeting, the Chairman                           shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each Party. A representative of the European Investment                           Bank shall attend the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council, as an observer, when matters which concern the                           Bank appear on the agenda. The Stabilisation and Association Council may invite non-members to attend its meetings in order                           to provide information on particular subjects.                        

## Article 5U.K.Secretariat

An official of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and an official of the Mission of Serbia to the                           European Union shall act jointly as Secretaries of the Stabilisation and Association Council.                        

## Article 6U.K.Correspondence

Correspondence addressed to the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be sent to the Chairman of the Stabilisation and                           Association Council at the address of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.                        

The two Secretaries shall ensure that correspondence is forwarded to the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association Council                           and, where appropriate, circulated to other members of the Stabilisation and Association Council. Correspondence so circulated                           shall be sent to the Secretariat-General of the Commission, the Permanent Representations of the Member States and the Mission                           of Serbia to the European Union.                        

Communications from the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be sent to the addressees by the two Secretaries                           and circulated, where appropriate, to the other members of the Stabilisation and Association Council as indicated in the second                           paragraph.                        

## Article 7U.K.Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall not be public.

## Article 8U.K.Agendas for meetings

1.The Chairman shall draw up a provisional agenda for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the Stabilisation                              and Association Council to the addressees referred to in Article 6 not later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting.                              The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Chairman has received a request for inclusion on the                              agenda not later than 21 days before the beginning of the meeting, although items shall not be written into the provisional                              agenda unless the supporting documentation has been forwarded to the Secretaries not later than the date of despatch of the                              agenda. The agenda shall be adopted by the Stabilisation and Association Council at the beginning of each meeting. An item                              other than those appearing on the provisional agenda may be placed on the agenda if the two Parties so agree.                        

2.The Chairman may, in agreement with the two Parties, shorten the time limits specified in paragraph 1 in order to take account                              of the requirements of a particular case.                        

## Article 9U.K.Minutes

Draft minutes of each meeting shall be drawn up by the two Secretaries. The minutes shall, as a general rule, indicate in                           respect of each item on the agenda:                        
              -  the documentation submitted to the Stabilisation and Association Council, 
              -  statements requested for entry by a member of the Stabilisation and Association Council, 
              -  the decisions taken and recommendations made, the statements agreed upon and the conclusions adopted. 

The draft minutes shall be submitted to the Stabilisation and Association Council for approval. When approved, the minutes                           shall be signed by the Chairman and the two Secretaries. The minutes shall be filed in the archives of the General Secretariat                           of the Council of the European Union, which will act as depository of the documents of the Stabilisation and Association Council.                           A certified copy shall be forwarded to each of the addressees referred to in Article 6.                        

## Article 10U.K.Decisions and recommendations

1.The Stabilisation and Association Council shall take its decisions and make recommendations by common agreement of the Parties.                              The Stabilisation and Association Council may take decisions or make recommendations by written procedure if both Parties                              so agree.                        

2.The decisions and recommendations of the Stabilisation and Association Council, within the meaning of Article 121 of the Stabilisation                              and Association Agreement, shall be entitled respectively ‘Decision’ and ‘Recommendation’ followed by a serial number, by                              the date of their adoption and by a description of their subject matter. The decisions and recommendations of the Stabilisation                              and Association Council shall be signed by the Chairman and authenticated by the two Secretaries. Decisions and recommendations                              shall be forwarded to each of the addressees referred to in Article 6 above. Each Party may decide on the publication of decisions                              and recommendations of the Stabilisation and Association Council in its respective official publication.                        

## Article 11U.K.Languages

The official languages of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be the official languages of the two Parties. Unless                           otherwise decided, the Stabilisation and Association Council shall base its deliberations on documentation drawn up in those                           languages.                        

## Article 12U.K.Expenses

The European Union and Serbia shall each defray the expenses they incur by reason of their participation in the meetings of                           the Stabilisation and Association Council, both with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure and to postal and                           telecommunications expenditure. Expenditure in connection with interpreting at meetings, translation and reproduction of documents                           shall be borne by the European Union, with the exception of expenditure in connection with interpreting or translation into                           or from the Serbian language, which shall be borne by Serbia. Other expenditure relating to the organisation of meetings shall                           be borne by the Party hosting the meetings.                        

## Article 13U.K.Stabilisation and Association Committee

1.A Stabilisation and Association Committee is hereby established in order to assist the Stabilisation and Association Council                              in carrying out its duties. It shall be composed of representatives of the Council of the European Union and of representatives                              of the European Commission, on the one hand, and of representatives of the Government of Serbia on the other, normally at                              senior civil servant level.                        

2.The Stabilisation and Association Committee shall prepare the meetings and the deliberations of the Stabilisation and Association                              Council, implement the decisions of the Stabilisation and Association Council where appropriate and, in general, ensure continuity                              of the association relationship and the proper functioning of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. It shall consider                              any matter referred to it by the Stabilisation and Association Council as well as any other matter which may arise in the                              course of the day-to-day implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. It shall submit proposals or any draft                              decisions or recommendations for adoption to the Stabilisation and Association Council.                        

3.In cases where the Stabilisation and Association Agreement refers to an obligation to consult or a possibility of consultation,                              such consultation may take place within the Stabilisation and Association Committee. The consultation may continue in the                              Stabilisation and Association Council if the two Parties so agree.                        

4.The rules of procedure of the Stabilisation and Association Committee are annexed to this Decision.                        

## Article 14U.K.Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee and of Serbia’s social                              partners and other civil society organisations

1.A Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee and of Serbia’s social                              partners and other civil society organisations is hereby established, entrusted with the task of assisting the Stabilisation                              and Association Council with a view to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the social partners and other civil society                              organisations, in the European Union and Serbia. Such dialogue and cooperation shall encompass all relevant aspects of relations                              between the European Union and Serbia, as they arise in the context of the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association                              Agreement. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in particular at:                        

(a)preparing Serbian social partners and other civil society organisations for activity in the framework of future membership                              of the European Union;                        

(b)preparing Serbian social partners and other civil society organisations for their participation in the work of the European                              Economic and Social Committee after the accession of Serbia;                        

(c)exchanging information on issues of mutual interest, in particular on up-to-date state of play on the accession process as                              well as preparation of Serbian social partners and other civil society organisations for this process;                        

(d)encouraging exchanges of experience, good practices and structured dialogue between a) Serbian social partners and other civil                              society organisations and b) social partners and other civil society organisations from Member States, including through networking                              in specific areas where direct contacts and cooperation might prove the most effective way of solving particular problems;                        

(e)discussing any other relevant matters proposed by any side, as they can arise in the context of implementation of the Stabilisation                              and Association Agreement and in the framework of the Pre-accession strategy.                        

2.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall comprise nine representatives of the European Economic and                              Social Committee and nine representatives of Serbia’s social partners and other civil society organisations. The Joint Consultative                              Committee may also invite observers.                        

3.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall carry out its tasks on the basis of consultation by the                              Stabilisation and Association Council or, with regard to promoting dialogue between economic and social circles, on its own                              initiative.                        

4.Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 is as faithful a reflection                              as possible of the various social partners and other civil society organisations, in both the European Union and Serbia. Official                              nominations of Serbian members shall be made by the government of Serbia based on proposals from social partners and other                              civil society organisations. Those proposals shall be based on inclusive and transparent selection procedures among social                              partners and other civil society organisations.                        

5.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall be co-chaired by a member of the European Economic and Social                              Committee and a representative of Serbia’s social partners and other civil society organisations.                        

6.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.                        

7.The European Economic and Social Committee, on the one hand, and the Serbian Government, on the other hand, shall each defray                              the expenses they incur by reason of the participation of their delegates in the meetings of the Joint Consultative Committee                              and of its working groups with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure.                        

8.Detailed arrangements on interpretation and translation costs shall be set out in the rules of procedure of the Joint Consultative                              Committee referred to in paragraph 1. Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of meetings shall be borne by                              the Party which hosts the meetings.                        

## Article 15U.K.Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union and of Serbian                              local and regional authorities

1.A Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union and of Serbian                              local and regional authorities is hereby established with the task of assisting the Stabilisation and Association Council                              with a view to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the local and regional authorities in the European Union and those                              in Serbia. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in particular at:                        

(a)preparing Serbian local and regional authorities for activity in the framework of future membership of the European Union;                        

(b)preparing Serbian local and regional authorities for their participation in the work of the Committee of the Regions after                              the accession of Serbia;                        

(c)exchanging information on current issues of mutual interest, in particular on up-to-date state of play concerning the accession                              process and those policy areas where the Treaties provide that the Committee of the Regions shall be consulted as well as                              preparation of Serbian local and regional authorities for these policies;                        

(d)encouraging multilateral structured dialogue between a) Serbian local and regional authorities and b) local and regional authorities                              from the Member States, including through networking in specific areas where direct contacts and cooperation between Serbian                              local and regional authorities and the local and regional authorities from Member States might prove the most effective way                              of addressing specific topics of mutual interest;                        

(e)providing regular exchange of information on inter-regional cooperation between Serbian local and regional authorities and                              local and regional authorities from Member States;                        

(f)encouraging exchange of experience and knowledge in the policy areas where the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union                              provides that the Committee of the Regions shall be consulted, between i) Serbian local and regional authorities and ii) local                              and regional authorities from Member States, in particular know-how and techniques concerning preparation of local and regional                              development plans or strategies and most efficient use of the pre-accession and Structural Funds;                        

(g)assisting Serbian local and regional authorities by means of information exchange on the practical implementation of the principle                              of subsidiarity in all aspects of life on local and regional level;                        

(h)discussing any other relevant matters proposed by any side, as they can arise in the context of implementation of the Stabilisation                              and Association Agreement and in the framework of the Pre-accession strategy.                        

2.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall comprise seven representatives of the Committee of the Regions,                              on the one hand, and seven elected representatives of the local and regional authorities of Serbia, on the other hand. An                              equal number of alternate members shall be appointed.                        

3.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall carry out its activities on the basis of consultation by                              the Stabilisation and Association Council or, as concerns the promotion of the dialogue between the local and regional authorities,                              on its own initiative.                        

4.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 may make recommendations to the Stabilisation and Association                              Council.                        

5.Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 is a faithful reflection                              of the various levels of local and regional authorities in both the European Union and Serbia. Official nominations of Serbian                              members shall be made by the government of Serbia based on proposals from organisations representing local and regional authorities                              in Serbia. Those proposals shall be based on inclusive and transparent selection procedures among representatives holding                              local or regional electoral mandates.                        

6.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.                        

7.The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall be co-chaired by a member of the Committee of the Regions                              and a representative of the local and regional authorities of Serbia.                        

8.The Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and the Government of Serbia, on the other hand, shall each defray the expenses                              incurred by reason of the participation of their delegates and supporting staff in the meetings of the Joint Consultative                              Committee referred to in paragraph 1, in particular with regard to travel and subsistence expenditure.                        

9.Detailed arrangements on interpretation and translation costs shall be set out in the rules of procedure of the Joint Consultative                              Committee referred to in paragraph 1. Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of meetings shall be borne by                              the Party which hosts the meetings.                        

Done at

*For the Stabilisation and Association Council*                                  

*The Chairman*                                  

## ANNEX to DECISION No 1U.K.OF THE EU – SERBIA STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCILof ...Rules of Procedure of the Stabilisation and Association Committee

### Article 1U.K.Chairmanship

The Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be chaired over alternately for periods of 12 months by a representative                           of the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States and the European Atomic Energy Community,                           and by a representative of the Government of Serbia. The first period shall begin on the date of the first Stabilisation and                           Association Council meeting and end on 31 December 2013.                        

### Article 2U.K.Meetings

The Stabilisation and Association Committee shall meet when circumstances require, with the agreement of both Parties. Each                           meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both Parties. Meetings                           of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be convened by the Chairman.                        

### Article 3U.K.Delegations

Before each meeting, the Chairman shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each Party.

### Article 4U.K.Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Serbian Government shall act jointly as Secretaries of the Stabilisation                           and Association Committee. All communications to and from the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association Committee provided                           for in this Decision shall be forwarded to the Secretaries of the Stabilisation and Association Committee and to the Secretaries                           and the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association Council.                        

### Article 5U.K.Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall not be public.

### Article 6U.K.Agendas for meetings

1.The Chairman shall draw up a provisional agenda for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the Stabilisation                              and Association Committee to the addressees referred to in Article 4 not later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting.                              The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Chairman has received a request for inclusion on the                              agenda not later than 21 days before the beginning of the meeting, although items shall not be written into the provisional                              agenda unless the supporting documentation has been forwarded to the Secretaries not later than the date of dispatch of the                              agenda. The Stabilisation and Association Committee may ask experts to attend its meetings in order to provide information                              on particular subjects. The agenda shall be adopted by the Stabilisation and Association Committee at the beginning of each                              meeting. An item other than those appearing on the provisional agenda may be placed on the agenda if the two Parties so agree.                        

2.The Chairman may, in agreement with the two Parties, shorten the time limits specified in paragraph 1 in order to take account                              of the requirements of a particular case.                        

### Article 7U.K.Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for each meeting and shall be based on a summing up by the Chairman of the conclusions arrived at by                           the Stabilisation and Association Committee. When approved by the Stabilisation and Association Committee, the minutes shall                           be signed by the Chairman and by the Secretaries and filed by each of the Parties. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded                           to each of the addressees referred to in Article 4.                        

### Article 8U.K.Decisions and recommendations

In the specific cases where the Stabilisation and Association Committee is empowered by the Stabilisation and Association                           Council under Article 122 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement to take decisions or make recommendations, those                           acts shall be entitled respectively ‘Decision’ and ‘Recommendation’, followed by a serial number, by the date of their adoption                           and by a description of their subject matter. Decisions and recommendations shall be made by common agreement between the                           Parties. The Stabilisation and Association Committee may take decisions or make recommendations by written procedure if both                           Parties so agree. The decisions and recommendations of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be signed by the                           Chairman and authenticated by the two Secretaries and shall be forwarded to the addressees referred to in Article 4. Each                           Party may decide on the publication of the decisions and recommendations of this Stabilisation and Association Committee in                           its respective official publication.                        

### Article 9U.K.Expenses

The European Union and Serbia shall each defray the expenses they incur by reason of their participation in the meetings of                           the Stabilisation and Association Committee, both with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure and to postal and                           telecommunications expenditure. Expenditure in connection with interpreting at meetings, translation and reproduction of documents                           shall be borne by the European Union, with the exception of expenditure in connection with interpreting or translation into                           or from the Serbian language, which shall be borne by Serbia. Other expenditure relating to the organisation of meetings shall                           be borne by the Party hosting the meetings.                        

### Article 10U.K.Subcommittees and special groups

The Stabilisation and Association Committee may create subcommittees or special groups to work under the authority of the                           Stabilisation and Association Committee, to which they shall report after each of their meetings. The Stabilisation and Association                           Committee may decide to abolish any existing subcommittees or groups, lay down or modify their terms of reference or set up                           further subcommittees or groups to assist it in carrying out its duties. These subcommittees and groups shall not have any                           decision-making powers.                        

## ANNEXU.K.for the information of the Council only

### DRAFTU.K.DECISION No 1/2013U.K.OF THE EU – SERBIA STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COMMITTEEU.K.of day month 2013U.K.creating subcommittees and special groupsU.K.

THE STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE,U.K.                  

Having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one                     part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part, and in particular Article 123 thereof                  

Having regard to its rules of procedure, and in particular Article 10 thereof,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

### Sole ArticleU.K.

The subcommittees and special group listed in Annex I are hereby created. Their terms of reference are set out in Annex II.

Done at ..., on day month 2013.U.K.                  

*For the Stabilisation and Association Committee*U.K.                  

*The Chairman*                   

### ANNEX I

#### **EU – SERBIA STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT**

### ANNEX II**TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE EU – SERBIA SUBCOMMITTEES AND SPECIAL GROUP**

#### **Composition and Chair**U.K.

The subcommittees and the special group on public administration reform (special group on PAR) shall be composed of representatives                     of the European Commission and representatives of the government of Serbia. They shall be co-chaired by the two parties. The                     Member States will be informed and invited to the meetings of the subcommittees and the special group on PAR.                  

#### **Secretariat**U.K.

An official of the European Commission and an official of the government of Serbia shall act jointly as secretaries of each                     of the subcommittees and of the special group on PAR.                  

All communications concerning the subcommittees shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the relevant subcommittee and of                     the special group on PAR.                  

#### **Meetings**U.K.

The subcommittees and the special group on PAR shall meet whenever circumstances require, with the agreement of both Parties.                     Each meeting of a subcommittee or the special group on PAR shall be held at a time and place agreed by both Parties.                  

If both Parties agree, the subcommittees and the special group on PAR may invite experts to their meetings to provide the                     specific information requested.                  

#### **Subject matters**U.K.

The subcommittees shall discuss issues related to the areas of the SAA as listed in the multidisciplinary subcommittee structure.                     Progress regarding the alignment, implementation and enforcement of European Union legislation, as well as key issues related                     to programming and implementation of relevant IPA projects shall be assessed under all subject matters. The subcommittees                     shall examine any problems that may arise in their relevant sectors and shall suggest possible steps to be taken.                  

The subcommittees shall also serve as fora for the further clarification of the *acquis* and shall review progress made by Serbia in conforming to the *acquis* in line with commitments taken under the SAA.                  

The special group on PAR shall discuss issues related to public administration reform and suggest possible steps to be taken.

#### **Minutes**U.K.

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the secretary of the                     subcommittee or the special group on PAR to the Secretary of the Stabilisation and Association Committee.                  

#### **Publicity**U.K.

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittees and of the special group on PAR shall not be public.

1

See page 14 of this Official Journal.