DECISION No 1/2012 OF THE EU-MONTENEGRO STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

of 21 June 2011

amending Decision No 1/2010 adopting the rules of procedure of the Stabilisation and Association Council, in view of setting up a Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations and a Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions of the European Union and Montenegrin local and regional authorities

(2012/313/EU)

THE STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part (1), and in particular Article 124 thereof,

Whereas:

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 Montenegro can make a major contribution to the development of their relations and the integration of Europe.

It is appropriate that such cooperation be organised by setting up two Joint Consultative Committees, one between the European Economic and Social Committee of the one part, and the Montenegrin social partners and other civil society organisations of the other part, and the other between the Committee of the Regions of the European Union of the one part and the elected representatives of local and regional authorities of Montenegro of the other part.

It follows that the rules of procedure of the Stabilisation and Association Council, adopted by Decision No 1/2010 (2) , need to be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The following Articles are inserted in Decision No 1/2010:

‘Article 14

Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations

1. A Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’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 Montenegro. Such dialogue and cooperation shall encompass all relevant aspects of relations between the European Union and Montenegro, as they arise in the context of the implementation of the Agreement. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in particular at:

(a) preparing Montenegrin organisations of employers, the employed and other civil society organisations for activity in the framework of future membership of the European Union;

(b) preparing Montenegrin organisations of employers, the employed and other civil society organisations for their participation in the work of the European Economic and Social Committee after the accession of Montenegro;

(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 Montenegrin organisations of employers, the employed and other civil society organisations for this process;

(d) encouraging exchanges of experience and structured dialogue between (a) Montenegrin organisations of employers, the employed and other civil society organisations and (b) organisations of employers, the employed 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 arise in the context of implementation of the Agreement and in the framework of the pre-accession strategy.

2. The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations shall comprise six representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee and six representatives of Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations. Observers can be invited to participate.

3. The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations 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. The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations may make recommendations to the Stabilisation and Association Council.

5. Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations is as faithful a reflection as possible of the various social partners and other civil society organisations, in both the European Union and Montenegro. Official nominations of Montenegrin members shall be made by the government of Montenegro 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.

6. The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations shall be co-chaired by a member of the European Economic and Social Committee and a representative of Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations.

7. The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations shall adopt its rules of procedure.

8. The European Economic and Social Committee, on the one hand, and the Montenegrin 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 between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations and of its working groups with regard to staff, 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 between the European Economic and Social Committee and Montenegro’s social partners and other civil society organisations. Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of meetings shall be borne by the Party which hosts the meetings.

Article 15

Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities

1. A Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin 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 Montenegro. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in particular at:

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

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

(c) exchanging information on current issues of mutual interest, in particular on up-to-date state of play concerning European regional policy and the accession process as well as preparation of Montenegrin local and regional authorities for these policies;

(d) encouraging multilateral structured dialogue between (a) Montenegrin 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 Montenegrin 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 Montenegrin local and regional authorities and local and regional authorities from Member States;

(f) encouraging exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of regional policy and structural interventions, between (a) Montenegrin local and regional authorities and (b) 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 Montenegrin 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 Agreement and in the framework of the Pre-accession strategy.

2. The Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities shall comprise eight representatives of the Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and eight elected representatives of the local and regional authorities of Montenegro, on the other hand. An equal number of alternate members shall be appointed.

3. The Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities 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 between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities may make recommendations to the Stabilisation and Association Council.

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

6. The Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities shall adopt its rules of procedure.

7. The Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities shall be co-chaired by a member of the Committee of the Regions and a representative of the local and regional authorities of Montenegro.

8. The Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and the Government of Montenegro, 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 between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities, 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 between the Committee of the Regions and Montenegrin local and regional authorities. Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of meetings shall be borne by the Party which hosts the meetings.’.