eu newsletter january - march 2010

Transcription

1 eu newsletter january - march 2010 january - march 10 Delegation of the European Union, Skopje o 1/2010 COMMISSIONER FÜLE VISITED SKOPJE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF HIS MANDATE Commissioner Füle visited Skopje on 19 February, barely one week after taking up office, to encourage the country s authorities to maintain and further intensify the efforts on the EU reform agenda as well as to actively pursue the talks on the name issue with Greece under the UN auspices. The visit took place in the context of the European Commission s recommendation to open EU accession negotiations with the country, which on 10 February received the wide backing of the European Parliament. Mr Füle got his messages across through comprehensive media coverage. The new commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood policy had meetings with PM Gruevski (with whom he had a joint press conference), President Ivanov, Speaker Veljanovski, the leader of the opposition party SDSM (Mr Crvenkovski) and the leader of the coalition party DUI (Mr Ahmeti). continues on page 3 Financing agreement of the rural development component of the IPA signed The financial agreement supports investments within agricultural production, processing, and marketing, as well as diversification and development of the rural economy, for an overall amount of 42 millions. continues on page 5 New European Commission took office On 9 February, MEPs approved the 26 candidates for the European Commission, enabling President Barroso s new team to get down to business. check who is who in the European Commission on page 6

2 contents eu newsletter Page 3-7th Meeting of the JPC and first ever AFET visit to the country - PM Gruevski visit to the European Institutions EU Assistance page 5, 8 to 10 - Financing agreement of the rural development component of the pre-accession assistance signed - EU support to a modernised and effective customs Administration in line with EU standards and best practices - Setting up a national digital radio system for the police - Support to a more efficient and modern operation of the administrative court - EU support to the work of the state statistical office - EU boosts better regulation in the energy sector - Strengthening the capacity of the General Secretariat public administration reform and NGO cooperation EU Policies page 6 to 7 - New European Commission college took office News from Brussels page 11 - European commission urges Roma social inclusion - Michel Platini: football and local authorities working together will score on social inclusion - Renewed impetus for food security: The EU tackles hunger in developing countries EU InfoCentre back page contents 2010 Spanish

3 eu newsletter january - march 2010 continues from front page Commissioner Füle met with President Ivanov At the press conference, the Commissioner called on the country to take advantage of the unique window of opportunity in the next few months, saying that the EU did not have a back-up plan if a solution was not found by June, as previously recommended by the EU Council of Ministers. There is a window of opportunity, which is open for plan A. I am convinced that both governments will do everything within their power to use this window, thus eliminating the possibility of a plan B, the Commissioner stressed. Mr Füle underlined that although the name issue was bilateral, it clearly had regional implications; therefore, he voiced hope that the countries leaders would find a solution. Mr Füle also addressed the Joint Parliamentary Committee between the country and the EU (which convened in Skopje on 18/19 February), stressing that he was fully committed to the country s European future and that results achieved at home would lead Skopje to Brussels. In his view, the European Commission s recommendation for setting a date for opening accession negotiations should be perceived as a strong incentive for final settlement of the name issue. He commended the enormous political will of the MEPs to continue the historic project of the EU s enlargement. In terms of reforms, Mr Füle stressed that words should turn into deeds. He underlined the need for further efforts in the areas of public administration, judiciary, fight against corruption and the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. 7th MEETING OF THE JPC AND FIRST EVER AFET VISIT TO THE COUNTRY The 7th meeting of Joint Parliamentary Committee took place in Skopje under the new co-chairmanship of MEP Jorgos Chatzimarkakis and MP Spasenovski. A very constructive atmosphere prevailed during the meeting. Judicial reform, anti-corruption policy, public administration reform, inter-ethnic relations, economic development, environment and infrastructure, and management of IPA funds were the topics for an intensive exchange of views among the MEPs and the MPs. The Joint Parliamentary Committee addressed the following issues: - the relations between the European Union and the Republic of Macedonia; - the situation of the judiciary and the functioning of public administration; - inter-community relations; - the economy and the reforms made in view of assuming the obligations of EU membership Commissioner Füle, MP Aleksandar Spasenovski and MEP Jorgos Chatzimarkakis at the joint parliamentary committee meeting 3

4 eu newsletter - environmental policies and transport infrastructure, including crossborder cooperation aspects; - management of EU funds, with a particular view to the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Ambassador Fouéré and DG Elarg Director Ms Cas Granje participated in the exchange of views at the opening session of JPC with the Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and Minister of Foreign Affairs on the relations between the country and the EU and the fulfilment of the political criteria. First ever visit of foreign affairs committee (AFET) Delegation to the country led by MEP A. Peterle (EPP and former Slovenian PM) included MEP Zoran Taler, Parliament s reporteur for the country. Their presence and interaction with the national authorities was echoed in public. The delegation met with: the country leadership; the leader of DUI (ethnic Albanian coalition party); the leader of SDSM (main opposition party); MPs from the Committee on Foreign Affairs; National Council for European Integration; MPs from the smaller communities; representatives of the NGOs; anti-corruption authorities. They also visited the Academy for training of Judges and Prosecutors, a body supported by successive EU funded projects. The address of Commissioner Füle to the JPC (attended by the members of the AFET delegation and MPs from the Committees on European Affairs and on Foreign Policy as well as the full composition of the National Council for EU Integration) reiterated the special attention paid by the European Union to the country. The resolution on the progress of the country adopted by the European Parliament on 10 February was echoed in the meetings the JPC and AFET delegations had with the national authorities. PM GRUEVSKI VISIT TO THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS - I have encouraged Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to work on finding a mutually acceptable solution to the name row, Mr Buzek said after the meeting. He also congratulated Gruevski for continuing with the reforms in order to speed up the country s integration in the EU. On his side Mr. Gruevski said that he presented the country s strategic projects, activities related to the economy, fight against corruption, crime, education, interethnic relations and implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. Prime Minister Gruevski and European Council President van Rompuy On March 24, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski had separate meetings in Brussels with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle. Mr Van Rompuy encouraged Prime Minister Gruevski to continue with the EU-integration process and expressed hope that the name issue will be solved soon. Similar messages were also delivered at the meetings that Prime Minister Gruevski had with President Buzek and Commissioner Füle. European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek Enlargement Commissioner Füle We are doing and will keep doing our best for settling the name issue, because we wish to normalise the relations with Athens, to become NATO member and start the EU accession talks, Gruevski said. At the meeting with Mr. Gruevski Commissioner Füle welcomed the country s efforts to continue with the reforms particulary in the field judiciary and public administration. Commissioner Füle also welcomed the country s efforts to deal with the economic crisis. On his side Prime Minister Gruevski once again expressed gratitude for the EU s decision to cancel the Visa Regime for the country. 4

5 eu newsletter january - march 2010 EU Assistance Financing agreement of the rural development component of the pre-accession assistance signed EU Assistance On 2 March 2010, the EU Special Representative and Head of Delegation of the European Union, Erwan Fouéré and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Vasko Naumovski, signed the financial agreement for the rural development (component V) of the EU pre-accession assistance programme (IPARD). This will enable the implementation of operations supporting investments in agricultural production, processing, and marketing, as well as diversification and development of the rural economy, for an overall amount of 42 millions. The implementation of the IPA Rural Development component will also serve as a learning-by-doing process, allowing the country to fully benefit from the extensive funds available to the rural sector through the Common Agricultural Policy upon Accession. In February 2008, the European Commission adopted the National Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (the IPARD Operational Programme ). Its overall objective is to support implementation of policies to promote a competitive and sustainable agriculture; develop strong and sustainable rural communities, and diverse and sustainable rural environment. In addition, the IPA Rural Development Component supports the preparation for implementation of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) including management of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). As for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, management of the IPARD programmes is the responsibility of the national authorities. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy, together with the Ministry of Finance, has to ensure the existence of a sound financial management and control system of EU tax payers money. To this end, they have undertaken for the past two years wide-ranging activities; establishing in this respect the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development (AFSARD) to ensure the required structures, rules and procedures. On-going advisory missions of the European Commission s services were carried out to provide assistance to the authorities in building up these necessary institutional, management and control capacities. In September 2009, the Government submitted an application for conferral of management powers for the IPARD Programme. The European Commission reviewed the accreditation package and carried out a verification audit on the spot. The objective was to obtain assurance on the capacity of the various key players to undertake their responsibilities. The verification audit confirmed that stisfactory progress had been made. In December 2009, the European Commission adopted a decision on conferring the management powers for the IPARD Operational Programme to the national authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. 5

6 EU Policies eu newsletter NEW EUROPEAN COMMISSION COLLEGE TOOK OFFICE EU Policies The new Commission On 9 February, the European Parliament approved the 26 candidates for the European Commission, enabling President Barroso s new team to get down to business. The vote was 488 in favour, 137 against (with 72 abstaining), well over the majority required. The new Commission took up its duties on 10 February. The vote concluded a process that began in September 2009 when the President won parliamentary support for a second term. The new commission was supposed to take office in November 2009 but the appointment was held up mainly by the delayed ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. With Mr Barroso, the new line-up comprises 27 members, one from each EU country. Fourteen, including the President, served in the previous executive. Their term lasts five years. This is a time for boldness. This is a time to show our citizens that we care, and that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will make a real difference in our ability to serve their interests. I believe that our economic and social situation demands a radical shift from the status quo. And the new Treaty allows this. Our task is to use the new mechanics to bring on new dynamics, Mr Barroso stressed in his speech before MEPs. His list of priorities included: making a successful exit from the crisis; leading on climate action and energy efficiency; boosting new sources of growth and social cohesion to renew the social market economy; advancing a people s Europe with freedom and security; and opening a new era for global Europe. This is the first Commission to work under the rules of the Lisbon Treaty, under which the EU s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, a former commissioner for trade also serves as the Commission for external relations. Commission portfolios have been re-shaped in light of some new priorities. There is now a climate action portfolio, overseen by Denmark s Connie Hedegaard, while humanitarian aid has been split from development. Consumer affairs have been reunited with the health portfolio, reversing a change made in When it comes to newcomers to the Commission, Dacian Ciolos from Romania is in charge of agriculture and rural development, while Maria Damanaki of Greece oversees fisheries and maritime policy. France s Michel Barnier commissioner for regional policy in takes the internal market and services portfolio while Günther Oettinger of Germany deals with energy. Algirdas Šemeta, a Lithuanian, leads on taxation and customs union, audit and anti-fraud. Poland s Janusz Lewandowski deals with budget and financial programming. John Dalli of Malta is responsible for the health and consumer policy portfolio, and Cecilia Malmström of Sweden oversees home affairs. Štefan Füle, the Czech commissioner, is in charge of enlargement and the neighbourhood policy. Several long-time or otherwise prominent commissioners have left the Commission. They include Günter Verheugen, commissioner for enterprise and industry and, in , for enlargement; Charlie McCreevy, commissioner for internal market and services; and Mariann Fischer Boel, commissioner for agriculture and development. Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle Before taking up duties as a commissioner, Štefan Füle has served as a Czech Minister for European Affairs (2009) and as a First Deputy Minister of Defence ( ). Previously he was ambassador of his country to NATO, the UK and Lithuania. He studied at the faculty of philosophy of Charles University in Prague and at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. 6

7 eu newsletter European Commission january - march 2010 José Manuel Barroso Portuguese President Catherine Ashton British High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Viviane Reding Luxembourgish Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Joaquín Almunia Spanish Siim Kallas Estonian Neelie Kroes Dutch Antonio Tajani Italian Competition Transport Digital Agenda Industry and Entrepreneurship Maroš Šefčovič Janez Potočnik Olli Rehn Andris Piebalgs Slovakian Interinstitutional Relations and Administration Slovenian Environment Finnish Economic and Monetary Affairs Latvian Development Michel Barnier French Androulla Vassiliou Cypriot Algirdas Šemeta Lithuanian Karel Belgian Internal Market and Services Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud Trade John Dalli Maltese Health and Consumer Policy Máire Geoghegan- Quinn Irish Research and Innovation Janusz Lewandowski Polish Financial Programming and Budget Maria Damanaki Greek Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Kristalina Georgieva Bulgarian International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Günther Oettinger German Energy Johannes Hahn Austrian Regional Policy Connie Hedegaard Danish Climate Action Štefan Füle László Andor Cecilia Malmström Dacian Cioloş Czech Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Hungarian Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Swedish Home Affairs Romanian Agriculture and Rural Development

8 EU Assistance eu newsletter EU Assistance EU support to a modernised and effective Customs Administration in line with EU standards and best practices Three project were launched with 18-month duration and a budget of 2.4 million EUR: 1) Reinforcement of Border Control Project; 2) Further Alignment of Legislation with the Acquis in the Field of Customs Project; 3) Improving the Custom s IT System Project aim in modernising and improving the effectiveness of the Customs Administration in line with EU standards and best practices. On 30 March 2010, EU Special Representative and Head of Delegation of the European Union, Erwan Fouéré, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski, Director General of the Customs Administration, Vanco Kargov, the Head of International Cooperation Department, Customs Administration, Ilija Janoski and the Team Leader of the Technical Assistance for Improvement of Customs IT Systems project, Kevin Handley presented and discussed the importance of the three projects. The main objective of the Customs Reform projects, implemented by the Human Dynamics Consortia and Lambard Management Consultants, is to support the Customs Administration in establishing and sustaining the key position of customs as a modern and responsive partner to trade which protects fiscal, safety and security interests, cooperates with other government agencies and is equipped to exchange information electronically, quickly and globally. The Customs Administration of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is determined to comply with the Customs Blueprints drafted jointly by the European Commission s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union and by the Member States. These blueprints are practical guidelines laying down criteria based on the best practice of the European Union, against which a customs administration can measure its own operational capacity. The Customs Administration has benefited since 1992 from various programmes of the European Union, such as the Customs and Fiscal Assistance Office (CA- FAO), 2003 to The focus in the assistance programme has been directed on capacity building, data processing systems, procurement of equipment, reconstruction of border crossings, projects on modernisation and development of the customs services. Setting up a national digital radio system for the police On 3 February 2010, the completion of the first phase of the EU-supported project Supply of Police Digital Radio Communication System was marked at the Centre for Police Training in Idrizovo by Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, EU Special Representative and Head of Delegation and Ms Gordana Jankuloska, Minister of Interior. The EU-supported project Supply of police digital radio communication system aims to raise significantly the standards of the national digital radio system of the police in order to enhance the transfer of information and data between the police s operational branches and thus to provide support for the day-to-day operation of the Ministry of Interior s services, optimising coverage in terms of population and territory, including main highways, green border lines and international border-crossing points. Minister Jankulovska and Ambassador Fouere view the new digital equipment for the police For this purpose the European Union has invested 9 million under the CARDS programme to support establishing a digital radio communication system for the police. A second phase of the TETRA project is currently being initiated under IPA 2008 programme with approximately 5 million EUR and will be implemented over a period of 2 to 3 years. 8

9 eu newsletter january - march 2010 EU Assistance Support to a more efficient and modern operation of the administrative court EU Assistance An IPA 2007 project on Support to more efficient, effective and modern operation and functioning of the Administrative Court started its activities in January The project has a budget of approximately 1.1 million EUR and will have a duration of 2 years. The activities of the project are grouped in 4 components: 1. Improvement of the implementation of the legislation on administrative disputes and of the enforcement of Administrative Court s decisions. 2. Strengthening of the organisational capacity of the Administrative Court, focusing on court, case and human resources management. 3. Reinforcement of the professional skills of the Administrative Court staff (focusing on judges, legal associates and supporting staff s skills and capacity). 4. Improvement of the IT case management system, notably by improving the interconnection between the Administrative Court and other state bodies. The project, implemented by the Fundacion Internacional Y Para Iberoamerica De Administracion Y Politicas Publicas, provides direct advisory support to the Administrative Court to appraise and step up the implementation of the reformed legal framework. Through the provision of advisory support, technical assistance and training, the ongoing organisational and operational reforms of the administrative dispute procedure shall be further strengthened. In particular, the support targets the consolidation of the administrative legal framework, human resources management, operational efficiency and effectiveness, court and case management, as well as transparency in activity of the Administrative Court. EU support to the work of the state statistical office From February 2010 until February 2012, project experts from the Consortium lead by ASA Institut für Sektoranalyse und Politikberatung GmbH, the German Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS) and the Czech Statistical Office - will provide support and guidance to the State Statistical Office and its partners in the national statistical system, most notably the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, to improve the range and the quality of official statistics and further harmonise them with the EU Acquis and international standards. The objectives of the project Technical Assistance to the State Statistical Office address the priorities of the Accession Partnership, aiming to further strengthen the State Statistical Office s capacity in ensuring timely implementation of the next population census and allowing continuous development of national accounts and their underlying statistics. Furthermore, this 1.8 million EUR worth project aims to address remaining gaps in collection and processing of agricultural statistics and business statistics in line with EU standards and methodology, as well as to increase reporting of statistical data to Eurostat. EU boosts better regulation in the energy sector On 25 March 2010, a kick-off workshop of an EU-funded Twinning project entitled Institutional strengthening of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officially marked the start of this 16-month project. With an overall budget of EUR 600,000, this twinning is expected to achieve the following outcomes: Introduction of an effective license compliance monitoring system for the generation of electricity and heat; the transmission of electricity and natural gas; the distribution of electricity, heat and natural gas; the supply, trade and cross-border transmission (import, export, transit) of electricity, and adequate training on the compliance monitoring system; Establishment of market monitoring mechanisms that ensure nondiscrimination, effective competition and the efficient functioning of the market; Review and implementation of quality management procedures, addressing inter alia internal communication procedures, archiving and document management procedures, as well as internal rules to reduce the risk of corrupt behaviour; and Cooperation with relevant stakeholders, enhancing the stakeholder network and improving the cooperation between the ERC and relevant bodies at national, regional and European level. This twinning project is implemented by the Austrian energy regulator E- Control. 9

10 EU Assistance eu newsletter EU Assistance Strengthening the capacity of the General Secretariat for public administration reform and NGO cooperation The Project Strengthening the Capacity of the General Secretariat Sector for Policy Analysis and Coordination - Unit for Public Administration Reform and Unit for NGO Cooperation was launched on 24 February The project s overall objective is to ensure the continuity of the Public Administration Reform (PAR) process, by adjusting and developing the administrative system. The project supports the efforts of the country to meet the Copenhagen criteria that require a competent and well organised public administration able to effectively participate in the work of the EU institutions, and make best use of the EU funds. Within its 18-month duration, the project will provide assistance to the General Secretariat to develop a new Public Administration Reform (PAR) Strategy, as well as to review and update the Strategy for cooperation of the government with the civil sector. Furthermore, the project will strengthen the capacity of the beneficiary to coordinate the implementation of the two strategies, and will enhance the capacity of the High level Committee for State Administration Reform in carrying out its task to steer the public administration reform process. The Project officially started in November 2009, with a budget of 1 million EUR and with a duration of 18 months. This project is implemented by Hulla & Co. Human Dynamics KG from Austria in association with IPS Institute Slovenia, by a team of international and local experts. Technical assistance for civil society organisations (TASCO) The European Union considers active participation by civil society in the decision-making process as very important. Therefore, ensuring that civil society s concerns are duly taken into account in the European integration agenda and enhancing their policy dialogue with the authorities is mainstreamed in assistance programmes. Within the framework of IPA Multi- Beneficiary programme: the Civil Society Facility (CSF), the project Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations TACSO was funded aiming to strengthen the civil society within participative democracy, as well as to stimulate a civil societyfriendly environment and culture, to strengthen the capacities and accountability of the Civil Society Organisations and to guarantee the quality of services of Civil Society Organisations and their sustainable role in democratic processes. With a 2-year duration, the project will be implemented in the Western Balkans countries and Turkey, with an overall budget of 6.7 million EUR, by the consulting company SIPU International from Sweden and its consortium partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Poland and Romania. Latest News... Call for proposals: IPA Civil Society Facility- Support to Partnership Actions to Minorities/Vulnerable Groups Organisations EuropeAid/129897/C/ACT/MULTI: Local Publication for Call for Proposals: European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), Country Based Support Scheme (CBSS) EuropeAid/ /L/ACT/MK: Regional project Network for health and safety at work officially started. Through establishing a regional partnership between civil society organizations and trade unions, as a tool for coordinated development of anti-mobbing policies, this regional project Network for health and safety of work aims to support development of socially responsible labour market in South East Europe, through working on prevention and mitigation of mobbing... 10

11 eu newsletter january - march 2010 News from Brussels Roma communities, the European Union s largest ethnic minority, continue to face persistent discrimination and segregation. The European Commission urged Member States in a report published in March 2010 to use EU funds for the social and economic integration of Roma. Ensuring these communities access to jobs and nonsegregated education, housing and EUROPEAN COMMISSION URGES ROMA SOCIAL INCLUSION health services is vital to their social inclusion, the report said. The integration of the estimated 10 to 12 million Roma a population as large as Belgium s or Greece s is a joint responsibility of Member States and EU institutions. A separate report evaluated the progress achieved in integration over the past two years. Participants at the second Europe-wide Roma Summit, in Córdoba, Spain on 8-9 April, reviewed these reports. As a Union founded on strong values, we must ensure that Roma s fundamental rights are respected. Discrimination against this ethnic minority is not acceptable, said Commission Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Addressing their problems benefits our societies and economies. It is only through sustained and coordinated action that we can make a real difference for Roma all over Europe. László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion underlined: Efforts to integrate the Roma people need to cover an entire life cycle starting earliest stages of kindergarten to mainstream education for children, jobs for adults and care for the elderly. Roma communities are part and parcel of our fight against poverty and joblessness. He added: Roma people do not need a separate labour market, they do not need schools that prolong the segregation of Roma children and they do not want renovated Roma ghettos. Our objective is to get Roma accepted on equal terms, to be integrated into society. The European Social Fund is a powerful lever in supporting this cross-cutting approach. (Reference=IP/10/407) MICHEL PLATINI: FOOTBALL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES WORKING TOGETHER WILL SCORE ON SOCIAL INCLUSION News from Brussels Football shares Europe s values of integration, solidarity and social inclusion, and can play a significant role in helping the EU to promote them, especially at the local level where clubs are part of their local communities. This was the message of Michel Platini, President of UEFA, speaking at the Committee of the Regions Plenary Session in Brussels on 14 April. In the world of football, being picked for your national team or playing in a European tournament is seen as the pinnacle, but in the end you play in your local team, the one you grew up with, said Platini, underlining the importance of the local level to the beautiful game. The European sporting model relies heavily on the support of local communities at every level, and especially at the amateur level is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, and Platini stressed the role of football in particular in helping to tackle these issues. Football is about integration, inclusion, giving support and offering a welcome, he said, giving the example of the children of immigrants often finding a common interest with their host country on the football field far more than in the school room. In many cases, football is a far more effective driver of integration than school or social services, and it is football which gives young people their identities. This view of sport as a force for change was shared by Ramon Luis Valcarcel Siso (ES/EPP), President of the Autonomous Community of Murcia First and of the CoR, who chaired the Plenary. Sport shares many of the values of Europe; it allows us to tackle a wide range of issues such as health, citizenship, integration and intercultural dialogue. The EU has understood that sport can also play a role in the creation of truly European identity. RENEWED IMPETUS FOR FOOD SECURITY: THE EU TACKLES HUNGER IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES The European Commission adopted two new EU policy frameworks to help developing countries address the issue of food security, both in emergency and long-term situation. The objectives are to ensure progress toward achieving Millennium Development Goal related to the elimination of poverty and hunger (MDG 1), and to maximise the effectiveness of humanitarian support in crises where food insecurity threatens lives. Food security implies food availability, access to food and quality of food. The (Reference=IP/10/404) Commission promotes the vision of an environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural model, adapted to the reality of developing countries and markets, and able to make food available, accessible and of adequate nutritional quality. It therefore concentrates on enhancing the productivity of smallholder farmers and the resilience of rural communities, supporting governance improvements for food security, and strengthening assistance mechanisms for extremely vulnerable population groups. 11

12 EU InfoCentre eu newsletter Information Society Days at the EU InfoCentre EU InfoCentre events entitled Information Society Days, aimed at raising awareness about EU policies and activities in this area. The events were related to the safer use of Internet, initiatives for digitalisation of cultural heritage, creation of digital libraries, as well as the promotion of ICT research supported by the European Union. Safer Internet Day (9 February), was marked with a lecture for students from the elementary schools. From 9 to 26 February, the EU InfoCentre of the Delegation of the European Union organised a series of A number of events were organized at the EU Info- Centre: a panel discussion about EU s digital libraries - initiative and local perspectives for development of digital copies of the cultural heritage, presentation of success stories and a panel discussion about EU s role in promoting ICT research and opportunities for local ICT research under the EU s Seventh Framework Programme and exhibition entitled Europe and the Europeans in the Digital Age was displayed in the EU InfoCentre throughout the period 9-26 February. Safer Internet Day - lecture for elementary school students About 60 students from 6 elementary schools from Skopje attended а lecture about safer usage of the Internet on 9 February in the EU InfoCentre. The event was organized in order to mark Safer Internet Day, under this year s motto Think before you post. The lecture is also a part of the Information Society Days that will take place in the EU InfoCentre from 9 to 26 February. Elena STOJANOVSKA, Advisor for International Cooperation and Public Relations at the Directorate for Personal Data Protection and Filip STO- JANOVSKI, Program Coordinator at Metamorphosis Foundation, CRISP - Children s Rights on the Internet, Safe and Protected Project, explained to the children that they should think carefully about the potential consequences of their actions before posting their own personal information or those of their friends. The aim of the among the In the period January - March 10 the number of visitors in the EU InfoCentre was 2071 Almost 30questions were answered by phone, fax, and 21 events took place at the EU InfoCentre event was to raise awareness young people regarding fact that photos and other personal information, once online, remain online. Delegation of the European Union Celebrates It s 10th Birthday On 10 March, the Delegation of the European Union in Skopje celebrated its 10th anniversary at the EU InfoCentre in the presence of the Prime Minister Gruevski, representatives of the Government, Parliament, business community, civil society, media and international organisations present in the country. In March 2000, the Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten and the late President Trajkovski opened the Delegation. In the past 10 years the Delegation s staff grew from 10 to over 80 employees, all of them working with the same commitment to help the country join the EU. The Delegation s communication work is assisted by the EU InfoCentre, operating within its premises, as well as by the wide network of EU info points dispersed throughout the country. European Union Information Centre M.H.Jasmin 52 v 1000 Skopje Tel./Fax (0) Working Hours Monday-Friday 09-18; Saturday For information on forthcoming events in the EU InfoCentre please visit our website