Central public authorities learn more on European institution building instruments

Transcription

1 Issue 7 A newsletter published by Support to the State Chancellery (TTSIB) project EuropeAid/130480/C/SER/MD Central public authorities learn more on European institution building instruments Even the less visible reforms will sure have an impact in future interview with Mr Victor BODIU, Secretary General the Government pg.2 A greater number Twinning projects is possible and should be striven for introduction by Mr Dirk SCHUEBEL, Head the European Union Delegation to Moldova pg.1,5 New platform for external assistance data storage and processing pg.3 Recent findings the EU Neighbourhood Barometer pg.6 Europe Days celebrations in Chisinau and Tiraspol pg.7 The institution building instruments, Twinning, TAIEX and SIGMA, proving to be powerful tools for the reform and modernization processes that Moldova pursues, are regarded as important topics to be aware by civil servants. In this respect, the State Chancellery in cooperation with the EU project Support to the State Chancellery TTSIB, initiated training sessions for representatives central public authorities. Thus, such trainings were held previously for the Ministry Labour, Social Protection and Family, Court Accounts and other, and the most recent ones were organized for the Ministry Justice and the Ministry Economy. These were moderated by the experts from the EU project Support to the State Chancellery TTSIB, who dwelt upon the essence, contracting procedures and benefits the institution-building instruments for the success the reforms in the justice and economy sectors. During the trainings, participants learnt who are the actors involved in a Twinning project, which stages make up a project cycle, what is a Twinning Project Fiche, why the Programme Administration Office is important in promoting Twinning projects and what benefits do TAIEX and SIGMA bring. According to TTSIB experts, the EU institution building instruments represent the form assistance which has the full capacity to change attitudes and to strengthen the efforts and capacities institutions. To be noted that, currently, 5 Twinning projects are implemented in Moldova (among which 2 at the Ministry Economy), 113 TAIEX applications submitted by the Republic Moldova were registered in 2012 and 3 SIGMA projects were implemented in our country in Moldova, taking part in the Global Monitoring exercise The Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (Global Partnership) is a political forum which combines a wide range countries and organizations throughout the world with the commitment to increase efficiency development cooperation. It was established following the agreement 160 countries, territories and organizations at the Fourth High- Level Forum in Busan, Korea, The purpose global monitoring includes: providing a snapshot progress at the international level and thus supporting the accountability for the implementation the Busan commitments and actions; stimulation multi-stakeholder dialogue at both country and international levels on improvement the effectiveness development co-operation; and promotion agreements on specific actions needed to enhance the successful implementation the Busan Partnership agreement and support accountability at country level. The Republic Moldova is also taking part in the global monitoring exercise the Global Partnership for Effective Development. In this respect, the State Chancellery, in its role national coordinating authority, has initiated a complex consultation process the Draft Guide to the Monitoring Framework the Global Partnership, seeking to obtain the feedback all external assistance stakeholders: development partners, line ministries, civil society. A comprehensive presentation on the purpose the Global Monitoring exercise was delivered at the regular Donors Coordination Meeting. The results the monitoring data accumulated at national level will be soon presented to the joint UNDP/OECD group, which is coordinating the process at country level. The high-level ministerial meeting to assess the results at global level is scheduled for October H.E. Dirk Schuebel Ambassador the European Union to Moldova: A greater number Twinning projects is possible and should be striven for Excellency, you have started your mission in Moldova back in How do you see with the eyes an EU Ambassador the developments that took place during these years? Indeed, when I have been posted in Moldova a new democratic coalition came to power. The path towards European integration was declared as the main priority the Government. Since then good progress was made in terms negotiating the Association Agreement together with the Agreement on the establishment the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The European Union has been supporting continuously Moldova in its efforts to implement reforms that would have a direct impact on its citizens welfare and getting closer to the European model. This has materialized in both financial and technical support that has been growing once the country has been advancing in the reforms for deep democracy and respect human rights. Back in 2012 the prospects signing the Association continuation on pag.5 1

2 interview The State Chancellery has recently gone through a reorganization process and employed new experts in the Department for Coordination Policies, External Assistance and Central Public Administration Reform. Could you tell us in detail what was the purpose such reorganization and whether the new staff already integrated in the team? The purpose the reorganization the State Chancellery was to bring together the responsibilities related to policy coordination and foreign aid coordination in one single unit. In our view, it makes sense that a person responsible for specific policies should be familiar with the resources provided by our country s development partners for their implementation. To staff our team working in this area we advertised the job opportunities as requested in the relevant regulatory framework. I was pleased to see that the number applicants to the advertised 11 job vacancies was impressive about 60 people expressed interest in this critical area. The applicants had to go through two selection stages the test and the interview. I can assure you that the 11 winners are well qualified and managed to impress the competition panel with their knowledge in this area. Naturally, to fully integrate into their new jobs the junior civil servants receive relevant training. Transparency foreign aid has been an issue raised quite ten and, as far as we know, the State Chancellery has taken a series steps to increase it. What are the new initiatives in this sense? I should mention here the piloting new foreign aid data management stware Aid Management Program used in more than 20 countries worldwide and facilitating the access to the data about the aid provided by donors. It should also be noted that before starting the pilot stage, the AMP platform was subjected to wide consultations with relevant ministries, development partners and civil society. The experts who designed the stware considered the feedback the direct users and also the possibilities to update this database. We expect that the platform will be fully operational by autumn. Besides transparency, the efficiency external assistance is also critical. Has anything been done in Moldova in this sense? Yes, Moldova will take part in the global monitoring exercise the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. The Global Partnership is a political forum which brings together a large number countries and organizations worldwide committed to improve the development cooperation. It was established Victor BODIU, Secretary General the Government: Even less visible reforms will sure have an impact in future by 160 countries, regions and organizations at the fourth High Level Forum in Busan, Korea, in The purpose the global monitoring is to support the accountability in the implementation the commitments made in Busan by informing the progress at international level, boost the dialogue by involving different national and international players on effective development cooperation, promote the agreed specific actions required to enhance the successful implementation the Busan Partnership Agreement and support the accountability process at country level. I would like to add that the Guide to the Monitoring Framework the Global Partnership was subjected to a complex consultative process. To this end, the State Chancellery, in its capacity the national coordinating authority, has subjected the preliminary draft this Guidebook to consultations in order to get feedback from all the stakeholders in foreign aid development partners, ministries, civil society. The indicators the global monitoring are, as follows: Development co-operation is focused on results that meet developing countries priorities; Civil society operates within an environment that maximizes its engagement in and contribution to development; Engagement and contribution the private sector to development; Transparency: information on development co-operation is publicly available; Development co-operation is more predictable (annual and medium-term); Aid is on budgets which are subject to parliamentary scrutiny; Mutual accountability strengthened through inclusive reviews; Quality developing country PFM systems; Aid is untied. The findings the monitoring at national level will be delivered to the UNDP/OCDE joint team very soon, while the high level ministerial meeting meant to evaluate the global findings is expected to be held in October The EU resources provided to our country are on the rise. How efficiently does Moldova use this support? Indeed, the support our European partners is hard to overestimate in the context the multiple reforms started in various sectors. This support reveals, above all, the trust the European Community to our commitments and the willingness to help develop our country in accordance with the best European practices. When we speak about the European Union support we should, first all, mention the institutional building instruments Twinning, TAIEX and SIGMA. The support our European partners is hard to overestimate in the context the multiple reforms started in various sectors. This support reveals, above all, the trust the European Community to our commitments and the willingness to help develop our country in accordance with the best European practices. Currently we have 5 on-going Twinning projects implemented by the Ministry Finance, Ministry Regional Development and Constructions, Consumer Protection Agency, Food Safety Agency, Centre Accreditation in the Field Products Conformity Assessment in most the key sectors the Association Agreement and, implicitly, Agreement on the creation the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, covered by such assistance. Another 7 Twinning projects are in the pipeline. We certainly don t intend to stop here, because Twinning is, both in our view and in the view the European Community, the most efficient institutional building instrument used for the regulatory approximation to the European standards. Twinning is the most efficient institutional building instrument used for the regulatory approximation to the European standards. On the other hand, TAIEX is useful to quickly respond to an institution s needs. It can be used to hold a workshop, an evaluation mission or a study visit. Moldova is one the countries that is most active in using this instrument and hopefully this trend will continue. SIGMA is another efficient way to build the institutional capacities. In we had only three SIGMA projects, but in early 2013 a mission SIGMA ficials to Chisinau confirmed the willingness to expand the scope this instrument and, implicitly, the number projects. The donors are encouraged to align their cooperation priorities with the Moldova 2020 Strategy. What can you say about these developments? Regarding the National Development Strategy Moldova 2020, it was for the first time that we developed a long-term policy document, which focuses on priorities, instead sectors, so as finally these priorities to lead to one single goal sustainable economic growth, more income to the budget that will further be allocated to sectors like culture, science, social sector. It is particularly important to be aware that the Government is the one that defines its development priorities...it was for the first time that we developed a long-term policy document, which focuses on priorities, instead sectors, so as finally these priorities to lead to one single goal sustainable economic growth... and the donors should align their assistance to them. I should also mention Rethink Moldova, a medium-term planning document covering the period It was very actively supported by the development partners and Moldova received assistance amounting to about 1.8 billion Euros as grants and preferential loans to support the development programs. The largest part this money was allocated to the road infrastructure over 300 million Euros, agriculture over 200 million Euros and water supply and sanitation over 150 million Euros. All these programs are underway and, although not all them are visible, - because one thing is to restore a school or rehabilitate a road, and it is something different to reform the judiciary or other sectors that are less visible, - they will sure have an impact in future. 2

3 Over 440 externally funded projects were implemented in Moldova from 2009 to 2013 New data about the projects funded by the development partners have been generated recently in the foreign assistance database IDEA. According to it, from 2009 to 2013 over 400 projects were implemented in Moldova amounting to 1 billion 633 million Euros. One quarter them were funded by the European Union. The 441 projects with external funding were implemented in particular in the governmental and civil society sectors (26,3%), social infrastructure (13,3%) and education (9,29%). The most active donors were the European Union that funded 153 projects with a total budget million Euros, i.e. 29% the total external assistance budget in the reported period, the United Nations Organization that funded 54 projects and the United States America that funded 49 projects. One hundred four projects were launched in Moldova in The database also contains data about the ongoing projects, with a focus on the sectors these projects and the funding donors. As April 1, projects were on-going in Moldova, 84 which were funded by the European Union. The foreign assistance data storage mechanism is now under large scale revision. IDEA is expected to be replaced with the AMP platform (Aid Management Program). The recent foreign assistance data generated by IDEA are available on the website ncu.moldova.md in the External assistance data section. The central government will soon have a new platform for external assistance data storage and processing The external assistance data storage and processing platform AMP (Aid Management Program) is now being tested by the Moldovan central government. AMP is a complex foreign assistance data storage platform expected to replace the database in place - IDEA. To secure the smooth operation the new external assistance data system, the State Chancellery, with the support the platform design team, has recently delivered the first training cycle for the pilot team that will test the new system, made the civil servants designated by the authorities which will pilot the system. In this respect, the users the pilot phase the program will become users the new platform and over the next 2 months will help improve the AMP system. Besides training, a number other actions related to the technical issues and AMP maintenance will be taken and the State Chancellery will provide support in the development the Data Management Plan. The AMP platform is expected to become fully operational by this autumn. For more details about AMP implemented in more than 20 countries, see developmentgateway.org/. AMP has been conceived to improve the access to the data about the development assistance and respond to the challenges stated in the Paris Declaration (2005) on aid effectiveness and reiterated at the fourth High Level Forum in 2011 (Busan). Projects launched per donors (as 1 st April 2013) Main Finance Provider proje cts proj ects proje cts pro jects proj ects Total no. projects Total AUSTRIA CEB CEH CHINA DENMARK EBRD EIB EJM EU FAO GEF trust GERMANY GFATM IT JAPAN LIECHTENSTEIN NETHERLANDS NORWAY POLAND ROMANIA SLOVACIA SSM SWEDEN SWITZERLAND TURKEY UK UN USA WB Grand Total

4 New Twinning projects to be implemented soon in Moldova The European Commission has recently announced a new call for proposals for Twinning projects, according to which three Twinning Fiches have been shared with the national contact points the member states, the relevant administrations being expected to formulate written suggestions within 8 weeks in this sense. The call for proposals is a key component the Twinning project cycle, covering a number stages which define the implementation logic a Twinning project. Once developed and approved by the relevant authority, the Twinning Fiches are shared with all the member states expected to deliver suggestions on project implementation. For a better outreach and sharing, the fiches are posted on the ficial website the National Coordination Units. A Twinning Project Fiche describes the background, on-going reform process, the immediate and long term objectives, and the outcomes/outputs requiring assistance to enable the interested Member States to prepare a detailed proposal. Following this process, 3 new Twinning projects are expected to be launched in the Moldovan central governments, in particular the Transplant Agency, Court Accounts and Public Procurement Agency. The Twinning project conceived by the Transplant Agency, Strengthening the Transplant Agency Moldova and support for legal approximation in quality and safety substances human origin has a Euro budget and a 27 month implementation term. The main goal the project is to develop the transplant system in Moldova and the institutional capacity the Transplant Agency by improving the legal and institutional frameworks, and by building the capacities, knowledge and practical skills the human resources engaged in the Moldovan transplant system. The Twinning project Consolidation and strengthening the external public audit to be implemented in the Court Accounts is expected to improve the accountability for and management the public money in Moldova by developing the external audit capacity according to the recognized audit international standards and the best European practices. This Twinning project has been conceived in a moment when Moldova is getting ready for the negotiations on the association status and its future course, which requires a systematic alignment the legal and regulatory framework with the EU acquis. Therefore, the Twinning project the Court Accounts is seen as a step forward to a closer and more efficient cooperation between Moldova and the European Union. This project is expected to be launched in October 2013 for a 24 months term and will have a total budget Euros. The Twinning project the Public Property Agency, entitled Strengthening publicprivate partnerships in Moldova, aims to improve the public-private partnership system (PPP) in Moldova through transparent and efficient use resources in the public-private partnership projects. New methodologies on harmonization the legislation and the institutional framework on PPP system with the European standards, developed skills civil servants for efficient management PPP projects in the public sector, and creation a concession and PPP management network in Moldova are just a few the results expected by the project initiators. The project budget is expected to amount to Euros and the implementation is expected to start by the end 2013 and last 24 months. Today there are 5 on-going Twinning projects in Moldova. Their total budget is 5 million 856 thousand Euros. Other five Twinning projects have been successfully completed. It should be noted that Twinning was designed to serve as an administrative cooperation instrument to support the European Union candidate and neighbourhood countries. READY, SET, GO! or how do institutions prepare to start a Twinning project It goes without saying that before starting any new thing (be it a business, a project, or a marriage), one should first ask him/herself am I prepared to do this? Do I have the necessary skills and abilities to cope with the new tasks? What can I do in order to get prepared? And these are the questions being answered by Moldovan institutions who are in the preparatory phase Twinning projects. Which are the possibilities for them to acquire the necessary skills in order to implement successfully the future Twinning projects, let s see below: Twinning English/Pressional Skills Training organized on request institutions, these are individually-designed for the needs a given institution courses, focused on both English language capacities combined with pressional skills. Among the institutions in the Call for Proposals for Twinning Fiche phase, the Court Accounts benefitted such type trainings. Twinning Project Guidelines for Beneficiary Administrations in Moldova is the title a comprehensive publication prepared by the EU Project Support to the State Chancellery TTSIB specifically designed for the better understanding future and current beneficiaries Twinning the peculiarities such projects, the roles and responsibilities the actors involved in them, the potential challenges Twinning projects, but also the benefits they may bring. The Guidelines can be found on the web-site, ON-LINE LIBRARY Section, Twinning Sub-section. Workshops and seminars for future beneficiaries Twinning are another possibility to learn in details all the specifics Twinning projects. They provide the chance not only to acquire information, but also to address questions and clarify any challenging parts. To read more about such events, please visit NEWS Section. Complementarity is an aspect connected to EU institution building instruments mentioned frequently in order to stress its importance in covering all needs an institution. Among the institutions in the Call for Proposals phase Twinning Fiches, the Transplant Agency used TAIEX instrument to respond to some the institution s needs while waiting for the Twinning project to start. The conclusion is clear: institutions don t waste the time left before their Twinning projects start, they make use it and get prepared in order to be able to contribute to their successful implementation. 4

5 Agreement in Vilnius were quite realistic. However, because the downfall the Government in early 2013, the political uncertainty slowed down the good pace reforms that started back in This does not mean that the process will be stopped. It only means that the Moldovan leaders should take actions to put the EU integration agenda back on track and ensure they fulfil the commitments. What expectations do you have for the current year, but also the years to come, in terms EU Moldova cooperation? In order to see how this cooperation has been developing, I would like to give you a few figures: if in 2006 Moldova received 25 million Euro EU funds, in 2012 this support was estimated at 152 million Euro. We have reached a level without precedents in our bilateral cooperation, and, course, we would like this trend to continue. The financial perspectives for this year are encouraging. In 2013, the assistance is expected to be amounted to 100 million Euros. This support is a good sign trust in your country. As regards the EU budget for 2014 and 2015, discussions are still ongoing and it is difficult now to make certain estimations. But one area that is most likely to receive more funds is the Partnership area. Which are the steps Moldova should take in order to strengthen this relation? There are a lot commitments to be respected in order for Moldova to get closer to the EU family. The first step that should be taken in this regard is the Beginning on page 1 pro from the Moldovan side, not just in words, but also in deeds, that the country has reached political, economic and social maturity and is prepared to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union, which will also include the Agreement on the establishment the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. This will mean a big step forward on the European Agenda. I would like to stress here that particularly the political stability is a pre-condition to the success all reforms implementation. While a series reforms were managed quite well, the internal situation did not contribute to the success certain other fields. According to the opinion the Moldovan institutions good progress was achieved in the coordination and programming EU assistance to Moldova. What is expected from the Moldovan Government in order to make it more efficient and what in turn the EU should do? I would agree to this statement. I feel that the ownership the development priorities have been fortified substantially in Moldova in the last few years. This has been proved through the development strategies approved by the Government, namely Moldova 2020 and also the Strategic Development Programmes approved by most the central public authorities. The regular coordination meetings between the State Chancellery and the EU Delegation served as a good platform to plan, discuss and agree on the future and ongoing projects. I believe that such meetings should continue in order to ensure a smooth coordination process. Another positive development to be noted is that substantive efforts were made by the Government to increase the transparency the external assistance provided by various donors in Moldova, including European Union. This is also a priority for the European Commission, which in 2011 started to publish its aid information through the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). It increases the accountability towards both Moldovan and European citizens. I expect that a more intense dialogue should take place in order to deepen commitments and strengthen the effectiveness the assistance. This should take place also by enhancing the capacities at the level State Chancellery and central public institutions to become a stronger partner dialogue with the EU. It is already a reality that more and more joint programming (Commission/Member States) will take place to reduce aid fragmentation and promote harmonization. In the last report the European Commission on the Implementation the European Neighbourhood Policy in Republic Moldova Progress in 2012 and recommendations for action was stated that Moldova made efforts to continue the reforms including the regulatory approximation to the EU acquis. In this regard, the institution building instruments Twinning, TAIEX and SIGMA seem to be instrumental. How would you assess their developments in Moldova? Do you believe that Moldova is benefitting them to their full capacity? The European institution building instruments, specifically Twinning, TAIEX and SIGMA, are about sharing experience between institutions; they help reach new levels, exchange ideas, in order to better implement the reforms and improve the situation with the support the external assistance. I would especially like to point out Twinning, which is the only and unique tool to change attitudes and culture at an institution in a reasonably short time, and this is what we need in Moldova. In this respect, I appreciate all the Moldovan institutions which were brave enough to start and successfully complete their projects: for their leadership spirit, motivation and the intention to adapt to new circumstances and new requirements. The EU institution building instruments became much more known in Moldova lately, and the number such projects is, although slowly, but growing. There is strong evidence that the interest institutions for Twinning and other institution building instruments is increasing. I expect that once the date the signature the Association Agreement gets closer, the need for such instruments, and especially Twinning, will significantly grow in Moldova. But at the same time, I would say that one should not wait for the Association Agreement. Preparations should be intensified in all directions already now. I believe that a greater number Twinning projects in the key sectors that are crucial for the implementation the Association Agreement, is possible and should be striven for, not diminishing, undoubtedly, the importance the quality their implementation. Introducing Jordi Rodríguez Ruiz, Twinning, TAIEX, SIGMA, CIB Focal Point at the European Union Delegation in Moldova Mr Rodriguez Ruiz has a degree in Political Sciences and Administration with further specializations in Political Communication and Cooperation for Development. He worked for three years in the Institution Building Unit the DG Enlargement in the European Commission as a member the Twinning and SIGMA Co-ordination team for all projects for Instrument for Pre-Accession beneficiaries, the Institution Building Unit DG Enlargement being also in charge the implementation TAIEX instrument for IPA and ENPI beneficiaries. Jordi Rodriguez Ruiz was the member the core team that prepared the revision 2012 the Twinning Manual. Currently, there are five Twinning projects running and there will be, hopefully, three more projects that will start before the end this year Twinning has to produce real and enduring cultural changes in the beneficiary administration. Twinning is not only about technical advice in the sector; Twinning has also to improve the conditions the institution where it is working. To sum up, Twinning has to deliver also inputs that could lead to a more efficient and reliable public administration. Thanks to my previous experience in the Western Balkans and Turkey, I have seen many good practices and some which were not so recommendable. As soon as I have more experience here, I will try to bring good suggestions for the different stages the Twinning project cycle. One recommendation that is always good to bear in mind is that Twinning is a joint exercise between two administrations; therefore it should be running on the basis a consensus for the achievement the mandatory results. The engagement from Member State and Beneficiary has to be continuous and genuine. TAIEX is a very precise and efficient instrument that lets any public institution to receive public expertise from Member States. Used wisely, TAIEX can be a very good ally for the implementation the strategic plans the institutions in a complementary synergy with other instruments, like Twinning. I hope that this wise use TAIEX will follow and that we will keep the pace in terms relevance and effectiveness the events in the different areas. SIGMA is working in three fields the Moldovan Public Administration: Public Procurement, Public Finance Management and Civil Service. This instrument is very well perceived because its very accurate analysis and comprehensive approach to the issues. SIGMA remains a strategic tool for giving an appropriate support to the authorities and also on establishing good synergies with the other instruments, namely Twinning and TAIEX. 5

6 European Union: an important partner, bringing peace and stability in Moldova, recent findings the EU Neighbourhood Barometer Most Moldovans feel that the European Union is an important partner, bringing peace and stability in the region. This is one the key findings the recently released EU Neighbourhood Barometer for Moldova, conducted in the ENPI East countries in the framework an EU-funded opinion polling project for the Neighbourhood. The EU Neighbourhood Barometer (opinion polling and media monitoring) is part the EU-funded Regional Communication Programme and aims at assessing knowledge and perception the EU Neighbourhood Policy and its cooperation activities and programmes. The survey, based on 1,006 interviews conducted in November-December 2012, finds that 67% Moldovans feel the EU is an important partner, with 56% believing the EU and Moldova share sufficient common values to be able to cooperate. Reforms initiated and carried out successfully during 2012 in the different areas cooperation between the EU and the Republic Moldova are described in the ENP Country Progress Report On the other hand, almost two-thirds (61%) feel the EU brings peace and stability in the region. Also, sixty-two per cent respondents felt the EU had good relations with Moldova, while just 18% felt they were bad. Fifty-eight per cent those asked agreed enough information was available about the EU, while the majority (52%) agreed it was easy to understand (against 33% who disagreed). Just over three quarters those asked (77%) wanted a greater EU role in economic development, 60% in trade, 60% in human rights, and 52% in democracy. More than half those asked (55%) saw the EU in a positive light, compared to just 12% for whom it conjured up a negative image. Factsheets summarising the findings the EU Neighbourhood Barometer were published to coincide with the publication the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) package 2012 progress reports countries covered by the ENP, including Moldova. The EU-Moldova political dialogue continued to deepen in 2012 and negotiations an EU- Moldova Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) made significant progress, according to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) package, published in March The Report represents a joint communication making an assessment the ENP implementation in 2012 in 12 countries, including Moldova. Thus, in 2012, Moldova addressed most the key recommendations contained in previous year s ENP Progress Report and made good progress in almost all areas the Action Plan: it continued reforms in the areas justice, social assistance, health and education, energy, competition and state aid, as well as regulatory approximation to the EU acquis and, it finalised the remaining steps under the first phase the visa liberalisation action plan. According to the country Report, in 2012, Moldova continued the reform the public administration with the adoption a decentralisation strategy in particular, the DCFTA negotiations were launched and the implementation the EU-Moldova Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements continued. With regard to the Transnistrian region, the Moldovan authorities significantly stepped up their contacts with the new leadership in Tiraspol, against the background a re-vitalised 5+2 settlement process. Also, an increasing number Moldovan students and researchers benefited from different European programmes in the education area. However, there are fields that need improvements, as areas fighting corruption and the law enforcement systems. On the basis this year s report and with a view to sustained implementation the EU-Moldova Action Plan and its successor instrument in 2013 (the Association Agenda ), Moldova is invited to: intensify the fight against corruption; improve and further simplify customs procedures; prevent the resurgence institutional deadlocks; step up the reform the public administration; ensure the implementation the National Human Rights Action Plan; advance dynamically the implementation the second phase the visa liberalisation action plan; engage pro-actively with the Transnistrian side; ensure the full and effective independence the Audiovisual Coordination Council; continue with sector reforms and regulatory approximation to the EU acquis in trade and trade-related areas; continue the privatisation process, in particular for remaining large state-owned enterprises; take steps to strengthen shareholder transparency in the banking sector; take further steps to improve the business environment. The European Neighbourhood Policy governs the relations between the EU and the Republic Moldova. Since 2009, the EU implements the Eastern Partnership, the Eastern dimension the ENP framework, aiming at substantially upgrading engagement with the EU s six Eastern neighbours. This approach allows for gradual political association and deeper economic integration. 6

7 Happy Birthday, Europe! the motto the Europe Days celebrated in Moldova from May 18 to 26 From May 18 to 26 Moldova celebrated the Europe Days. The events held on this occasion were a unique opportunity to promote the European values, cultural diversity and the assistance the European Union provides to Moldova. This year the Europe Day was also celebrated in Tiraspol. The celebrations culminated on Saturday, May 18, in the square the Opera and Ballet Theatre, where the visitors to the European Village got familiar with the national culture the European countries and with about 30 projects funded by the European Union, tasted the traditional meals the European cuisine, learned and spoke in the most widespread European languages and danced European dances. Also in the European Village the young people learned more about the European educational programs, and the children became for a day actors a colourful play. To mark the Europe Day, public debates were also held, where people had the chance to address questions to the ambassadors the EU member states and the Moldovan high level ficials. The team the EU project Support to the State Chancellery - TTSIB also took part in the event, providing information about the project, its achievements and the key expertise areas, and distributing multiple outreach materials. The events held on May 18 brought together high level ficials President Moldova Nicolae Timti, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, the mayor Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca, ambassadors the European Union member states accredited in Chisinau and Štefan Füle, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy. The European Union is a project to which all the countries contributed, a project which improves democracy and creates many opportunities. The politics should serve the people, we should develop the democratic institutions, not undermine them. We can advance only through reforms. Democracy means progress, constant work. Yes, it is difficult to climb this mountain, but this is the responsibility all us. You are all responsible to guarantee these things. The European Union is able to transform the countries and enhance democracy, Štefan Füle said at the opening event. Finally, Štefan Füle ficially opened the Europe Day celebrations and congratulated the Moldovan people in the state language La mulți ani, Europa! La mulți ani, Moldova! La mulți ani, Chișinău! (translator s note Happy Birthday, Europe! Congratulations, Moldova! Congratulations, Chisinau!). Iurie Leanca, in turn, said that the Europe Day is an event which is gaining more and more ground every year. We celebrate Europe Day because we are Europeans and because we see the future our country and our people near the European family. Our goal today is not to integrate in the European family, but to return to our values, traditions and principles, he said. The Europe Day celebrated in Moldova in 2013 was marked by the third European Film Festival held in Chisinau and Tiraspol, during which movies from more than 17 European states were screened showing the traditions, values and the lifestyles the European countries. The European Film Festival was a unique opportunity to address the historical and cultural diversity the EU member states. The arrangements for the Europe Day were made by the Delegation the European Union to Moldova. This is a unique opportunity to confirm the commitment to the shared European values, bring culture closer and contemplate our shared identity as Europeans, in its full diversity, and improve the awareness the technical assistance provided by the European Union to Moldova. The Europe Day has been celebrated in Moldova since

8 RECENTLY Representatives public authorities current and future beneficiaries Twinning projects came together on April 30 to tackle how to improve the implementation Twinning projects by recapitulation the duties and responsibilities the Resident Twinning Advisers Counterparts, exchanging experience and through discussions with government ficials. The purpose the event was to consolidate the network the Resident Twinning Advisers Counterparts in Moldova by highlighting their critical role in the successful implementation a Twinning project. The members the Steering Committee the Twinning project Capacity building in regional development implemented by the Ministry Regional Development and Constructions gathered on May 28 in a joint meeting to discuss the fourth Progress Report the project. According to the Steering Committee members, from February to April 2013 ten expert missions from France, Romania and Latvia came to Moldova; experts in regional development and constructions undertook a study trip to France to get familiar with its experience in regional development and local consultations were held in the Moldovan development regions to deliver and discuss the project proposals conceived in these regions. The sixth meeting the Steering Committee the Twinning Public Financial Management project implemented by the Ministry Finance was held on May 23. The members the Steering Committee discussed the recent Progress Report for February May 2013 and the activities planned for the next quarter. The major achievements put forward in the report are the methodological and technical support provided to public authorities in the development the financial management and control systems; delivery internal audit trainings, audit sampling and the auditor s role in cases fraud and support provided to the internal audit units actions which significantly contributed to the development the financial management and control systems and, therefore, to building the capacity the internal audit function. The bilateral development cooperation between Austria and Moldova was the issue the 11th Open Seminar held on May 30. The purpose the event, moderated by Gerhard Schaumberger, the Head Coordination Office for Development Cooperation the Embassy Austria in Chisinau, was to make a presentation the relationship and the bilateral development cooperation between Austria and Moldova in the light the objectives Austria s Development Cooperation Program for The issues addressed at the seminar were the on-going projects in Moldova funded by Austria, the sectors cooperation between Austria and Moldova, and the future prospects this relationship. VERY SOON Resident Twinning Advisors (RTAs) who are working at the beneficiary administrations from Moldova will hold a meeting on 13 June. The aim the meeting will be to consolidate the existing RTAs Network, as well as to discuss the lessons learned and share experience related to the implementation Twinning projects. A TAIEX Workshop on Harmonization and Mutual Recognition Health Pressionals Qualifications for the Ministry Health will take place on 18 and 19 June in Chisinau. A complex training module is planned to be started for the specialists from the Ministry Internal Affairs. In this order, the first session will reflect the Project Cycle Management and will be held on 18 June. The 12th Open Seminar will take place, as usually, on the last Thursday the month 27 June. Please follow dova. md for details and the subject the next Seminar. A seminar on tasks, rights and obligations Twinning beneficiaries will be held for one the future Twinning beneficiary institutions, Public Property Agency, on 28 June. A Twinning seminar for the Inter-ministerial Public-Private Partnership Network will take place on 16 July. 8