European Integration Office of Serbia and Montenegro

1
European Integration Office of Serbia and
Montenegro

• Communication actions

2
Basic facts regarding SCG EIO

• Established in the Nov 2001, as a body of Council
  of Ministries
• Main task is to coordinate activities concerning
  the SAp
• EIOs partners are State Union institutions as
  well as the institutions in the SU member states
  that are dealing with EU affairs (Ministry of
  International Economic Relations and European
  Integration of the Republic of Montenegro and EU
  Integration Office of the Republic of Serbia)

3
Latest Framework changes

• After the twin track approach was introduces in
  the SAp, the most competencies were transferred
  to republican institutions
• The negotiations that are happening in such
  circumstances envisage signing of a SAA with two
  annexes relating to the specific sectorial
  policies.
• The issues such as visas, asylum, migrations,
  integrated border management, quality
  infrastructure, intellectual property rights, as
  well as the legal approximation in this areas are
  within the SU competences.

4
Obstacles that should be overcame

• The lack of human, financial and technical
  resources in the SCG EIO
• The lack of Communication Strategy (the joint
  public affairs approach for all Council of
  Ministries institution)
• Permanent capacity building of the civil servants
  (especially considering EU integration and
  foreign languages)

5
Priorities and Competences

• To coordinate expert-administrative tasks related
  to the SCG Negotiation team operations
  (Negotiation team is embracing the institutions
  from all three levels) as the EIO SCG has the
  role of Secretariat.
• To coordinate all activities that are
  prerequisite for signing of the SAA.
• To coordinate and follow the activities that are
  following EC recommendations (SAp Annual report,
  European partnership, EPD meetings)
• To coordinate and lead the process of the acquis
  translation.
• To follow the implementation of the project under
  the CARDS financial instrument for SU level (Next
  year IPA).
• All activities related to the further improvement
  of the administration capacities as well as the
  dissemination of information about the EU
  integration process.

6
Rising Awareness SCG EIO actions

• Activities concerning rising awareness are in
  accordance with our competences, and they are
  mainly focused to
• Policy makers
• Civil servants
• Journalist
• And from recently business people and general
  public
• Info corner in the SU Palace
• media are invited to follow and learn about new
  instruments that are to be introduces in SCG
• presence of SCG EIO director in media
• publishing the brochure in the daily magazine
  apropos official opening of negotiation,
• together with the NGOs and Chamber of
  Commerce-organisation and participation in
  conferences and seminar concerning EU matters.

7
Relations with media and civil society

• SCG EIO keeps journalists updated on EI process.
• SCG EIO involves media as a partner in the whole
  EI process.
• SCG EIO cooperates with educational institutions,
  i.e. faculties, universities, and colleges.
• SU institutions have a close cooperation with the
  NGO sector in the area within SU competence.

8
Stabilization and Association Agreement 1

• Inaugural ceremony at the occasion of opening of
  negotiations between SCG and EU on SAA was held
  on 10 October 2005.
• The first Official round was held on 7 November
  2005
• Envisaged duration of negotiation was one year.
• Initial configuration of negotiation was three
  official and five technical rounds.
• The next official round that was planned to be
  held on 11 May 2006 concerning JFS is postponed
  until the full cooperation with ICTY is been
  provided.
• The EPD meetings are been organized at the same
  time as the negotiation rounds.

9
Stabilization and Association Agreement 2

• The complex negotiation team structure SU and
  member state levels.
• EIO as a Negotiation team secretariat has a
  following tasks
• EIO is a focal point for the communication and
  cooperation with the EC in Brussels
• Organisation of the meetings and necessary
  consultation relating to the WG activities as
  well as the official negotiation rounds.
• Drafting of all necessary documents
• Coordination in the whole process

10
Media approach in SAp 1

• Already done
• At the SU level the PR group was established. The
  aim is to coordinate media approach within the
  SAp
• Another PR group, composed of the member states
  representatives and representatives of EU in SCG
  was established. The aim is the exchange of
  information and experiences, while the final goal
  is to improve public awareness
• Organisation of the media coverage of the
  relevant issues concerning European integration
  (press releases, interviews, press conferences
  organisation, special events)
• Dissemination of the promotional and educative
  materials to the press.
• The web site is been improved
• The first edition of a e-builten was launch (the
  joint effort of the EIO and the Information
  directorate)
• Transparency of the state union institutions
  activities is been improved (according to the
  competences)

11
Media approach in SAp 2

• Recommendations and further steps
• Further education of civil servants and media
  representatives.
• Following the above mentioned, the training for
  the media representatives on the topics chosen by
  them is planned.
• Further cooperation between all levels and among
  all stakeholders in the process is necessary
  (organizing the panel discussion and the
  permanent exchange of info)
• Plan to increase media presence, according to the
  future development of events

12
CONCLUSION

• Always should be kept in mind that all three
  administrations are working with the same goal
  faster integration of the SU, i.e. member states
  in the EU structures that was the subject on
  which the media approach should be based
  (promotion of the process, not institutions).
• SCG is facing several crucial events in 2006
  ICTY cooperation, SAA negotiation, SU future and
  the future status of Kosovo and Metohia
• After signing of the SAA, the continuation of the
  reforms and impetus towards our neighbours will
  follow. By this, and with permanent monitoring of
  the progress the SCG will continue towards the EU.

13
CONTACT

• Branka Bilen Katic
• SCG EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OFFICE
• Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 2
• 11070 Belgrad
• phone [phone]
• Faks 381 11 311 3943
• branka_at_feio.sv.gov.yu
• www.feio.sv.gov.yu