RCC 2017 – 2019 A Implementing SEE 2020 through flagship approach A.1. Skills and Mobility Area of intervention / Actions Description of actions Expected results Partners Timeframe A.1.1. Increased mobility of professionals in the region A.1.1.1. Removing obstacles to mobility of professionals in SEE Facilitate the development and negotiations of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) in several professions of interest to SEE economies. In addition to facilitating mobility of professionals in SEE the activities this action, RCC will contribute directly to the liberalisation of services negotiated under the CEFTA framework. Mutual recognition agreement/s in selected profession/s of mutual interest agreed and signed. Line Ministries of Education, Trade and Labour, CEFTA, ERI SEE 2017-2019 A.1.2 Automatic recognition of education degrees A.1.2.1. Creating conditions for automatic recognition of education and university degrees Facilitate the development of standards and procedures for automatic recognition of qualifications in SEE in line with the commitments made by the Ministers responsible for higher education within the Bologna Process. Conditions for automatic recognition of degrees agreed and adopted. Line Ministries of Education, ERI SEE 2017-2019 A.1.3. Supporting development of employment, social and education policies A.1.3.1. Supporting development of employment, social and education policies and their streamlining into the economic governance process Improvement of policy and institutional settings and outcomes in support of employment, human capital and social development. Enhancing capacities of the relevant administrations for improved policy outcomes and policy reviews related to the employment, capital and social policies as well as strengthening the capacities and the existing Public Employment Services (PES) Network through the establishment of the regional Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP). Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) institutionalised and functioning. Public Employment Services strengthened. SEE Network of Public Employment Services strengthened and functional. Line Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, and Education, DG Employment and Social Affairs, ILO 2017-2019
A.2.1.1. Developing policy instruments on economic corridors on the ongoing spatial study/analysis and assessment of industries, intra-regional trade and industrial linkages, services integration, etc. along the SEE corridor routes. Related policy instruments and sectors (cross-border economic zones, regional clusters, technological parks, etc.) are identified. CEFTA, SEETO 2017 A.2.1.2. Supporting regional policy dialogue on economic corridors Organise and facilitate consultation processes with governments (including local government structures within individual economies), private businesses, civil society and development partners on operationalisation of economic corridors. Facilitate and provide technical, expert and legal support for regional policy coordination and negotiation process in the selected policy instruments/sectors. The identified policy instruments are translated into national and regional policy agendas. Regional agreement on selected economic corridors and policy instruments is achieved. SEEIC WG on Ind. Policy, WG on Invest. Policy, OECD, CEFTA, Line Ministries, LSGU, Private sector, Donor community 2017-2019 A.2.1.3 Designing pilot actions for economic corridors Provision of TA to national administrations to design and pilot actions for implementation of economic corridors. Detailed pilot project designs are prepared. SEEIC WG on Ind. Policy, OECD, CEFTA, Line Ministries, Donor community 2018-2019 A.2.2 Interoperability of ICT systems and reducing the roaming charges A.2.2.1. Promoting regional policy dialogue and coordination on ICT connectivity Support for the continued operation of the regional ICT platform - e-SEE Initiative (including ministerial meetings). Regional policy exchange on progress towards meeting SEE 2020 Digital Society dimension objectives and EU's Digital Agenda goals is intensified. e-SEE Imitative, UNDP, EC 2017-2019
Targeted TA: analytical support for designing and implementing regional interventions in ICT. Targeted ICT–related capacity building support (workshops, seminars). Viable regional ICT programmes developed (focus on ICT connectivity, ICT systems' interoperability, broadband development, cross border services). Administrative capacities on ICT matters are enhanced. IFIs, Line ministries, Regulators for elect. comm., Service prov., Operators A.2.2.2. Supporting regional policy formulation and coordination on roaming policies and negotiations on Regional Roaming Agreement Periodic legal and market impact updates to feed in the regional roaming policy coordination and negotiation process. Provision of technical, expert and legal support and facilitation of the regional policy coordination and negotiation process within the Roaming Regional Platform, based on the results of the ongoing legal and market impact study. Supplied evidence-based impact data for defining subsequent policy options. Sustainable and market based policies on roaming services in the Western Balkans in place. Improved legal basis, sustainable application and geographically extended RRA in place. Line Ministries, e-SEE, Regulators for electronic comm. Roaming WG Operators 2017-2019 A.2.3. Coordination and supporting activities A.2.3.1. Support for enhanced facilitation, regional integration and improved harmonisation of procedures Support to enabling progressive harmonisation, transparency of procedures and simplified border crossing procedures, with positive effects on flows of goods and services in the region. Support for the necessary management information systems, their upgrade and maintenance, as well as building an evidence base for data analysis and for design, coordination and monitoring of trade facilitation policies, nationally and regionally. Established, maintained and upgraded MIS and Regional Policy Observatory. CEFTA 2017-2019 A.2.3.2. Support regional coordination and cooperation in the sector of environment and climate change Support the outline of regional environmental priorities and of main programmatic actions. Support the functioning platform for benchmarking progress in environmental cooperation in SEE. Better focus on environment-related issues of the development agendas at national and reginal level. REC, UNEP, GWP Med, SWG RRD 2017-2019
A Implementing SEE 2020 through flagship approach A.3. Competitiveness Area of intervention / Actions Description of actions Expected results Partners Timeframe A.3.1. Improving the investment environment A.3.1.1. Support to establish a legal base analysis for regional investment instrument Preparation of the legal base for development of the regional investment instrument. Proposal to the SEE economies on the type of instrument on investments drafted and presented. SEEIC, CEFTA, SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments, WB, private sector 2017 A.3.1.2. Support to the development and implementation of a regional investment policy reform agenda Facilitation of the regional dialogue on investment reforms through a policy/sectoral approach. Regional investment instrument in SEEIC, CEFTA, SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments, WB, private sector 2017-2019 A.3.2 Developing the industrial base through sectoral work A.3.2.1. Supporting regional policy dialogue on industrial policy instruments Support for the operation of regional institutional platforms relevant for the industrial policy coordinate, analyse and steer the regional industrial policy agenda. Identified policy instruments are embedded in national and regional policy agendas. SEEIC Working Group on Industrial Policy, OECD, CEFTA, Private sector 2017-2019 A.3.2.2. Supporting the policy coordination and negotiation process on development of industrial policy instruments Facilitation and technical, expert and legal support for the regional/multilateral policy coordination and negotiation process on selected industrial policy instruments. Regional agreement on selected industrial policy instrument is in place. SEEIC Working Group on 2018-2019
platforms, particularly in the priority sectors where skills gap has been identified as the main sector development barrier (particularly in food and beverages processing and tourism industry). ERISEE, CEFTA, OECD A.3.3.3. Support to the establishment of regional observatory on the state of industrial policy in the region Support the development of a regional observatory to assist the development of regional policies on industrial development and utilising the platform for information and knowledge exchange the beneficiary economies with the goal of improving regional dialogue on the related matters. Regional observatory on the state of industrial policy in the region established. SEEIC, Industrial Policy Working Group, OECD, CEFTA 2016-2019 A.3.3.4. Support to preservation of cultural heritage in SEE Integrating cultural heritage/historical routes of SEE into the regional tourism joint offer/product. Cultural routes of SEE aligned with tourism routes and promoted to the international tourism community. SEEIC, Expert Group on Tourism, TFCS, private sector representatives 2016-2017 A.3.3.5. SME development Support the SME development in the region as part of the sectoral work (SEE priority sector internationalisation through development of joint regional products and/or regional supply chains), and contribute to the development of SME policy index. Improved SME base in the region. SEEIC, Expert Groups on Tourism and Food & Beverages, Industrial Policy Working Group, OECD, SEECEL 2016-2019 A.3.3.6. Gender economy Contribute to the improvement of gender-based economy as one of the resources to enhance competitiveness through analysis and proposals for policy improvement, knowledge sharing increase, improvement of entrepreneurial education, enhancement of public-private sector dialogue, and boosting private sector associations throughout the region. Increased participation of economic sectors in the overall competitiveness-improvement efforts. SEEIC, Industrial Policy Working Group, SEECEL, ETF, private sector representatives 2016-2019 A.3.3.7. Trade facilitation and liberalisation of trade in services Aligning investment reform and industrial policy development agendas to that of in compliance Harmonisation of the and investment/industry development agenda SEEIC, Joint 2016-2019
B.4.1.2. Support to operation of the existing regional cooperation mechanism and platforms Cooperate, coordinate and streamline the activities of the existing regional cooperation mechanism, including through technical support (when necessary) and co-financing of activities. Support networking, confidence building and strengthening of capacities of law enforcement agencies from the region (prosecutors, judges, customs offices, police, etc.). Enable exchange of information, and support cooperation and development of personal contacts among the stakeholders. Enhanced cooperation, information sharing and operational cooperation through the existing channels. Developed communication among Western Balkans and EU MS law enforcement, prosecutors and judges. RCC participants in the region, GIZ, SELEC, SEPCA, SEEPAG PCC, UNODC 2017-2019 B Governance, Rule of Law and Security Cooperation B.5. Security Cooperation Area of intervention / Actions Description of actions Expected results Partners Timeframe B.5.1. Supporting the existing security cooperation mechanisms in SEE B.5.1.1. Develop political support for security cooperation in SEE Develop joint activities and other forms of pragmatic cooperation between regional security cooperation formats, enhance coordination of the regional security cooperation mechanisms to avoid duplication and overlapping, develop confidence building measures and pragmatic cooperation. Increased trust and more developed practical security cooperation between the RCC participants from the region. SEECP/RCC participants from the region, SEDM, RACVIAC, UNDP/SEESAC, PCC SEE, UNODC 2017-2019 B.5.1.2. Continuation of support to the Southeast Europe Military Intelligence Chiefs’ forum Continue to co-chair, lead the cooperation, support and co-finance the activities of the Southeast Increased confidence and cooperation between the SEE military intelligence bodies leading to coordinated assessment SEEMIC 2017-2019
Enhanced parliamentary communication between SEE parliaments, European Parliament and other parliamentary fora and institutions in Europe. C.1.4. Maintain the dialogue with the EU institutions Continue the practice of regular consultations and structured dialogue at different levels, including the operational ones, with the European Union institutions to ensure close association of the RCC work with the EU enlargement agenda. Consult regularly with the EU Member States from the region and with the EU Member States that participate/contribute directly to the regional programmes for development. The work of RCC is aligned with the EU enlargement agenda and there is a better coordination of joint efforts. EC, EEAS, EP 2017-2019 C.2. Supporting and streamlining the regional cooperation structures C.2.1. Exert strategic leadership in regional cooperation, streamlining the regional cooperation Continue to provide a platform to SEE governments to work with each other. Provide expertise, identify and search for joint responses related to regional cooperation activities. In the context of implementation of the SWP 2017 - 2019 it will: a) create a context for better and regional communication within SEE administrations; b) coordinate, harmonise and structure the activities of numerous regional initiatives and organisations. Develop new regional platforms and/or strategies in priority areas in which needs are identified but mechanisms of cooperation do not exist. Enhanced, more strategic and focused functional and sectoral cooperation in the SEE region. More effective political and operational ties between RCC and relevant regional processes, mechanisms and networks. Increased coherence and complementarities of the main regional organisations, initiatives and task forces. Deepening of regional cooperation through stronger partnerships with all stakeholders concerned. Regional organisations, initiatives, task forces and other regional stakeholders, National authorities, EU, International partners 2017 - 2019 C.3. Broadening and strengthening partnerships with other regional stakeholders
C.3.1. synergies with EU macro-regional strategies Advance cooperation with the EUSDR and EUSAIR, set up synergies and generate ideas for joint actions, particularly in policy areas which directly match with the SEE 2020 Strategy goals. Participate and contribute with RCC representatives to the meetings of EUSDR and EUSAIR. Support and initiate joint meetings with EUSDR and/or EUSAIR. Sectoral policies of the SEE economies are integrated into the EU development plans. Better use of experience of EU Member States by SEE. Effective use of existing resources and structures. EUSDR (Especially PA 10 and PA 11), EUSAIR, EC 2017 - 2019 C.3.2. Represent the region Represent the SEE region in different regional and international forums and organisations. Effectively communicate the SEE regional priorities, promote regional cooperation to the national administrations and other target groups. Contribution to enhanced visibility of the region and its strategic targets. Regional cooperation remains in the focus and in the agendas of national authorities. Stronger participation of international actors in supporting regional cooperation in SEE. RCC participants 2017 - 2019 C.3.3 Work with media and civil society Establish a structured communication with the media and civil society, with a twofold objective: (1) mobilise as much support as possible through dissemination of information on the performance and contribution of RCC to the benefit of the region and the people, and (2) support media development (whenever possible), promote freedom of media in SEE, and support CSOs. The media and civil society playing a bolder role in SEE. Increased public and institutional awareness and support to the implementation of SWP 2017-219 and to the RCC. Media, CSO, national institutions in SEE 2017-2019 C.3.4. Implement Roma Initiative 2020 Support national institutions to mainstream Roma policies and national strategies into the national development strategies and budgets. Measure implementation impact EU developed and domestically-owned monitoring indicators. Strengthen national public dialogue on policy responses to the situation of Roma. Roma specific policy measures are integrated into the national development strategies and national budgets. Actions addressing the specific problems faced by Roma communities are better supported. European Commission, EU Delegations, Open Society Foundations, National authorities, 2017 - 2019
Sub-committees (Members of the are officials from the relevant ministries and agencies and are formally appointed by governments. In general, the sub-committees meet at least once a year and can also meet on an ad hoc basis if deemed necessary. The Chair of each sub-committee rotates among the participants alphabetically on a yearly basis. CEFTA sub-committees are as follows: a) Sub-committee on NTMs; b) Sub-committee on Agriculture; c) on Customs and Rules of Origin; and d) Sub-committee on Trade in Services) CEFTA Secretariat Other working bodies Working Group on Technical Measures Working on Risk Management Working Group on Information Exchange Working on Trade in Services Statistics Negotiating Group on Services Joint Working Group on Investment Policy and Promotion agreement on trade facilitation aiming to achieve a progressive liberalisation and mutual opening of services markets in the context of EU integration. Joint Working Group on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (JWGMRPQ) Headquarters: No Date of establishment: 2015 JWGMRPQ Plenary Forum (Meets at least twice a year. Participants include representatives from SEE economies, which have adopted the SEE 2020 Strategy. Other participants, such as ERI SEE and CEFTA participants that are not encompassed by the SEE 2020 Strategy, are also being invited as full participants. The JWGMRPQ is expected to broaden and deepen the cooperation between CEFTA on Trade in Services, ERI SEE and SAWG in the area of labour mobility, building on the mandates and previous activities of each structure. Contributing to Skills and Mobility flagship by facilitating increased labour mobility of professionals in the SEE region through broadened cooperation between CEFTA Sub-committee on Trade in Services, ERI SEE and SAWG.
The Advisory Board (It is foreseen to function as a think-tank and provide advice on specific themes relating to GWP Med’s range of activities. Currently, this body is not active) GWP-Med Secretariat Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SWG) Headquarters: Skopje Date of establishment: 2005 Legal entity: Yes Web page: seerural.org Annual Meetings of the Ministers of Agriculture from SEE SWG Assembly Sessions (Discuss about internal SWG procedures, realisation of SWG activities, exchange of experiences about the EU accession process and the benefits of it, as well as decide on future initiatives, projects and cooperation) SWG Head Office/Secretariat working bodies Agricultural Policy Forum (Platform for international dialogue on policy settings and perspectives of common interest to agricultural policy makers and stakeholders) The SWG is working to empower and promote sustainable principles on development, through networking and permanent cooperation between all stakeholders of rural development in the SEE region. The objectives of SWG RRD are to: a) enhance the regional cooperation the Ministries of Agriculture in SEE; b) facilitate information sharing on rural issues and rural development topics; c) support participant institutions in identifying mutual needs and interests; d) create opportunities to share experiences and among the participant institutions with various international organisations and institutions; e) provide new ideas and tools relevant to agricultural and rural development polices; f) share and generate initiatives to further the rural agenda. Contributing to Connectivity flagship through implementing the SEE Strategy 2020 in the Environmental dimension, with the focus on the sustainable rural development. East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) Headquarters: Sarajevo Date of establishment: 2007 Legal entity: Yes Web page: www.seeic.rcc.int Ministerial Forum (Meets at least once per year. All of the decisions of SEEIC are subject to endorsement of the Ministerial Forum) Deputy Secretary Meetings (It consists of the appointed high-level officials at the level of Deputy Minister or State Secretary from the respective ministries from SEE and a representative The SEEIC promotes and facilitates regional cooperation in the sphere of investment-related reform and competitiveness in SEE. SEEIC currently has three main objectives: a) implementation of the SEE 2020 Strategy; b) increasing competitiveness of the region through joint targeted action and enhancing regional value chains; c) promoting the SEE Contributing to Competitiveness flagship in the areas related to industrial and investment policy.
PCC SEE and makes recommendations to the Committee of Ministers. To date, the Ad Hoc Working Group on Data Protection; and the Thematic Working Groups on Police Education and Training, on the Exchange of Information Regarding Fake and Forged Travel Documents, on the Surveillance Expert Network for Southeast Europe, on JIT Expert Network for Southeast Europe and on Harmonisation and Improvement of Telecommunications among the Contracting Parties, as well as the Network on Countering Terrorism have been established and meet periodically to facilitate the implementation of specific provisions) PCC SEE Secretariat identification material, technical measures for facilitating trans-border cooperation, border search operations, mixed analysis working groups, joint investigation teams, mixed patrols along the state border and cooperation in common centres. Southeast European Defence Ministerial Process (SEDM) Headquarters: Rotating Date of establishment: 1996 Legal entity: No Web page: www.sedmprocess.org Political-Military High Level Meetings (Ministers of Defence - MOD and Deputy Chiefs of Defence Meetings - DCHOD) SEDM Coordination Committee SEDM-CC (Its function is to coordinate, manage, propose, endorse, supervise and implement all SEDM initiatives and activities beyond the of the Steering Committee-PMSC, whose duties and responsibilities are descripted by MPFSEE Agreement. is constituted as a body with equal participation. Each participant nominates a delegation, headed by a senior representative) SEDM represents a process of cooperation among the Ministries of Defence from SEE. The activities undertaken within SEDM are developed with the idea to strengthen the politico-military cooperation and to enhance the stability and security in SEE by: promoting regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, strengthening regional defence capabilities as well as cooperation through collective efforts and establishing links facilitating integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Among the SEDM initiatives, one that carries the most prominence is the Multinational Peace Force South-Eastern Europe (MPFSEE), established with the MPFSEE Agreement and Fostering closer cooperation between the ministries of defence and armed forces in SEE, thus building mutual confidence and interoperability, and defence reforms as part of European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes.
General Committees (Dealing with specific issues, namely on: 1) Economy, Infrastructure and Energy; 2) Justice, Home Affairs and Security Cooperation; and 3) Social Development, Education, Research and Science. harmonise their own legislative framework with the EU acquis by developing a comprehensive exchange of best practices, knowledge and experience with the Parliaments of EU Member States. Conference of the European Integration Parliamentary Committees of States Participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process (COSAP) Headquarters: No Date of establishment: 2005 entity: No Web page: No Chairmanship (Rotating annually and held in alphabetical order by the Chairman of the Committee for European Affairs of the presiding country. Meets at least twice a year to discuss issues related to the Stabilisation and Association Process and to EU enlargement. Troika (Composed by the Chairs of Committees for European Affairs/integration of the previous, current and future presidency ensures coordination of activities) The has a clear agenda and perspective; it aims at strengthening cooperation between the Committees of National Parliaments dealing with European Affairs. The mission of COSAP is to contribute to cooperation in SEE through the exchange of experiences between the candidate countries and EU Member States, for the purpose of preparing its participants to respond to the challenges that membership negotiations carry. Contributing to the parliamentary dimension of regional cooperation in SEE through bringing together the Committees of National Parliaments dealing with European Affairs. RCC Task Force on Culture and Society (RCC TFCS) Headquarters: No Date of establishment: 2010 Legal entity: No Web page: www.tfcs.rcc.int Regional meetings (High-level representatives of relevant ministries in charge of culture meet at least once a year) RCC Secretariat (RCC serves as the secretariat of the TFCS) The RCC TFCS was established by the Decision of the Board of the RCC. The aim of the RCC TFCS is to promote regional cooperation in the sphere of culture by creating a platform for dialogue of relevant stakeholders. The subsequent goal is to maximise the benefits of investment in culture through its contribution to sustainable economic and social development by ensuring the coherency with other actions promoted at regional and national level. The RCC TFCS closely cooperates with the RCC Secretariat in the framework of promoting regional cooperation in the sphere of culture.
2: LIST OF ACRONYMS BEREC Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications CEDEFOP European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training CEFTA Central European Free Trade Agreement CiO Chairmanship-in-Office CoE Council of Europe Conference of the European Integration Parliamentary Committees of States participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process CSO Civil Society Organisation DG Directorate-General DPPI SEE Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for Southeastern Europe EADRCC Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Commission ECOFIN Economic and Financial Affairs Council ECS Energy Community Secretariat EEAS European External Action Service EIPA European Institute of Public Administration EJTN European Judicial Training Network ENIC European Network of Information Centres in the European Region EP European Parliament ERA Europaische Rechtsakademie (Academy for European Law) ERI SEE Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe ERP Economic Reform Program e-SEE Electronic South Eastern Europe Initiative ESRP Employment and Social Reform Program ETF European Training Foundation EU European EURES European Employment Services EUROJUST European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit EUROPOL European Police Office EUROSTAT European Statistical Office EUSAIR European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region EUSDR European Union Strategy for the Danube Region FDI Foreign Direct Investment GDP Gross Domestic Product GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ ORF GIZ Open Regional Funds ICT Information and Communication Technologies ILO International Labour Organization INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization IPA Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance JWGMRPQ Joint Working Group on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications MARRI Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative MRA Mutual Recognition Agreement Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe NARIC National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NIPAC National IPA Coordinator OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OSCE Organization for Security and in Europe PCC SEE Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe PES Public Employment Services RCC Regional Cooperation Council RACVIAC RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation RAI Regional Anticorruption Initiative RDC Regional Dimension Coordinator REC Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe ReSPA Regional School of Public Administration