EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/769

(2004/C 84 E/0865)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0309/04

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Extension of TAEIX's area of activity to the Western Balkans

The Technical Assistance Information Exchange Office (TAIEX) was set up to provide targeted technical assistance to applicant countries in the area of the Community acquis. The Commission communication of 21 May 2003 (1) proposed that its services also be provided in future to the countries of the Western Balkans.

Have further decisions already been taken regarding the extension of TAIEX services or similar assistance to the countries of the Western Balkans?

What implementing provisions have been established?

What funding is being made available for services provided to Balkan countries?

How is this being carried out in practice?

To what extent are the new Member States involved (sharing experience, expertise, etc.)?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 2004)

The Thessaloniki Agenda, endorsed i.a. by the Heads of State or Government of the Member States and of the Western Balkans countries at the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003, states that:

SAP countries will become eligible for technical assistance by TAIEX, including for monitoring the compatibility of national legislations of SAP countries with the Community acquis. This technical assistance will be delivered through activities adapted to their specific needs and level of rapprochement to the EU.

As a follow-up to this point of the Thessaloniki Agenda, a budget has been allocated from the CARDS Regional Budget to the existing TAIEX office (2002: EUR 3,9 million, 2003: EUR 1,25 million) aimed at establishing TAIEX services specifically for the administrations of the Western Balkans countries.

An introductory meeting was held in Brussels on 8 December 2003, at which representatives from the administrations of all Western Balkans countries participated. At this meeting, which signified the formal opening of TAIEX to the Western Balkans countries, the Commission gave information about the approach, activities and services of TAIEX.

When providing TAIEX services to the Western Balkans countries the Commission has chosen a progressive approach. Whereas — as in the case of the enlargement countries — the basic idea is for TAIEX services to be provided on a demand-driven basis, the Commission will co-operate closely with the countries to define the priorities for the services of TAIEX for each of the Western Balkans countries. The Commission will present this year's priorities to the individual countries' governments shortly. Priorities will be discussed with the individual countries and revised regularly.

TAIEX is expected to be fully operational in relation to the Western Balkans countries in the course of March 2004. The Commission's Delegations in the region — as well as the European Agency for Reconstruction and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) — will be closely associated with the operation of TAIEX in the region which will also draw upon the experience and expertise of the new Member States for its activities.

(1) COM(2003)285.