TAIEX and Twinning 2016

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1 Irel TAIEX Twinning 06 Highlights Dear Institution Building friends, Johannes Hahn European Commissioner for Policy & Negotiations 0 to 0 to 80 8 to 0 > 0 TAIEX activities Novelties modernisation have been motto for TAIEX Twinning in 06: we cut red tape, strengned incentives for Member States public officials to participate in peer-topeer assistance aligned Institution Building activities with our key political priorities in European regions. TAIEX is now even better placed to contribute to implementing European Policy s (ENP) economic dimension to help creating closer synergy between policy work financial assistance programming. Similarly, recently finalised Twinning reform will significantly increase instrument s added value in promoting ENP s structural reform efforts. In enlargement region, TAIEX supported important policy activities such as vetting process of Albanian judges prosecutors in active service, while Croatia, still benefitting from Twinning projects as a very new Member State, was for first timeportugal awarded a contract to implement itself a Twinning Light. I am convinced that 07 will see an even stronger alignment of Institution Building instruments with political priorities of EU, helping our partner to extend ir administrative capacities, improve ir democratic human rights stards thus move even closer to EU. TAIEX Twinning are key in fostering change, thus paving way for political reforms enhanced cooperation among essential ingredients for a future of common stability, prosperity security. We count on your continued support interest in TAIEX Twinning! TAIEX Twinning, public administrations fostering change There are many ways to promote democracy stability, rule of law good governance as well as economic development prosperity in regions. Since start of ir operations, TAIEX its longer term sibling, Twinning, contributed to achieving se goals by strengning capacity supporting work of public administrations. National institutions face similar challenges when it comes to implementing laws safeguarding values y embody. By mobilising from EU Member States to help, TAIEX Twinning assist regions in transposing implementing EU legislation on ir path to accession, ones in harmonising ir laws in framework of Cooperation Association Agreements with EU. On top of that, two instruments are an excellent channel to support mutual understing among those EU to encourage fundamental reforms that are needed both in in regions. After all, politics administration are two sides of same coin; when latter works effectively, it can also help to catalyse political reforms. Administrative questions are not political questions. Although politics sets tasks for administration [ ]. Policy does nothing without aid of administration. The Study of Administration, Woodrow Wilson, 887 TAIEX is Technical Assistance Information Exchange instrument. Negotiations In 06, more than 00 TAIEX activities took place on average seven new Twinning projects were launched per month.

2 Highlights 06 TAIEX in 06 Pol missions United Kingdom TAIEX in short Nerls TAIEX numbers in 06 It is peer-to-peer assistance from EU Member States tobelgium neighbouring It targets central public administrations, judiciary law enforcement authorities, parliaments ir civil servants, representatives of social partners, trade unions employers associations missions Germany Luxembourg to 80 8 to 0 Czech Republic > 0 TAIEX activities area Slovakia Austria It provides three main types of short-term activities : study France visits, expert missions or workshops (single or multibeneficiary) Croatia Experts Participants Italy 57 It can be a dem-driven (classic TAIEX) or a policy planning (TAIEX strategic) tool > 0 Bosnia Herzegovina 6 3% Serbia Or7: 5,8 Structural fun missions Bulgaria 7% Albania The former Yugoslav Macedonia 0 % 57 co MoldovaHealth protection: 3, Finance: 6,7 missions missions Greece missions area area Turkey: 7,% missions area missions market: % Trade industry: 3,6 6 % 7 % Pick any Monday in 06. By time you came home for dinner, an average of rated TAIEX of five TAIEX activities had taken place in 06 as excellent or good Policy areas? in different regions. By Experts Participants weekend, over 60 had provided ir expertise to peers. By end of Transport 5% Or: 5% year, re were enough to fill in a sizeable football stadium. In 06, 6% of TAIEX activities were Policy areas? Food Safety: 6% expert missions, 5% were study visits 5% were workshops 3. Transport: 3,6 Kosovo* 3 % area of rated TAIEX in 06 as excellent or good 0 8,5% Montenegro 57 Belarus Romania % Experts Participants missions It is funded from EU budget managed by European Commission 0 Database to 80 8 to 0 It has a TAIEX0 toexpert garing public TAIEX activities Spain profiles 0 to 0 area 7% Transport In 06 Montenegro in 5% 5%Home Affairs: 5% area, Israel in Or:Sourn Morocco Ukraine in 6 3% Algeria Eastern had most N 7% Food of rated TAIEX TAIEX activities. With respect to 05, in 06 as excellent or good Safety: 6% W E most significant increases in TAIEX assistance were recorded in Armenia S market: % (+60%), Tunisia (+75%) Bosnia strongly Herzegovina (+7%). Home Affairs: 5% Libya decreased, however, in Azerbaijan Policy areas? Morocco (-5%) in Lebanon policy areas? (-3%). When it comes to activities with cross-cutting regional participation, Transport 5% in 06 TAIEX organised 85 multi- Or: 5% country activities, for example a TAIEX International Forum for Prosecutors on Food Fighting Organised Crime which brought Safety: 6% toger prosecutors from all over regions market: % to exchange knowledge experiences on arms trafficking, trafficking of human Home Affairs: 5% beings fight against terrorism. Former Yugos Macedonia: Serbia: 7,% area Tunisia Kosovo*: area Croatia: 6,% area Experts Participants Experts Experts Participants Participants Egypt % Experts Participants Experts Participants Experts Participants 57 of rated TAIEX in 06 as excellent or good of rated TAIEX ofof rated ratedtaiex TAIEX inin06 06asasexcellent excellentororgood good in 06 as excellent or good Policy Policyareas? areas? Policy areas? of rated TAIEX rated TAIEX Transport Analysing EU legislation on competition relevant case-law is important for judicial reform in of our country, especially 06 excellent or good for Transport in in 06 as as excellent or good 5% 5% Or: 5% Ukrainian system of economic courts. Thanks to a TAIEX Workshop, judges inor: our 5% economic courts learned about valuable Transport an instruments in field of competition law exchanged views with colleagues from EU Member StatesPolicy on concepts as 5 areas? such Or: 5% dominant market positions cartel enforcement. Learning from peers who face similar problems can definitely help to improve Food Food Safety: Safety:6% 6% implementation of national justice. Transport Food Policy Policy areas? 5% market: Or: 5% areas? market:% % 6% on a TAIEX activity carried on in Kiev Bogdan Lvov, Chairman of Supreme Economic CourtSafety: of Ukraine, Intern Home 5% Besides regions (represented on map), TAIEX also provides assistance to Turkish Cypriot community (also represented onaffairs: map), to EU Member States through a cooperation agreement HomeAffairs: 5% market: Transport with Directorate-General for Regional Urban Policy, to elsewhere in world covered by EU Partnership Instrument. Transport Food The remaining % includes work from home screenings. Or: 5% Safety: 6% Or: 5% * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status is in line with UNSCR / ICJ Opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence. 3 Home Affairs: 5% 5% 5% market: %

3 Twinning in 06 od ment Participants ticipants 68 Twinning numbers in 06 perts s cipants rated xperts ted in 06 lent 06or good % Ukraine 7 6% 5% Twinning in short0,7% Fisheries: Fisheries: 0,7% Environment: Fisheries: 0,7% Environment: 7 Trade industry: It is a peer-to-peer Or : 5,8% Structural funds: 8 new projects awarded Environment: administrative cooperation Structural Transport: funds: 7 social tool from EU Member States affairs:,5% social to neighbouring affairs:,5% social industry: Health consumer,5% affairs: Trade It targets public Fisheries: % industry: Health protection: consumer Fisheries: home % protection: administrations Health consumer Environment: 6% affairs: 6,% home home Structural funds: Trade Transport:? industry: 6,% affairs: Transport: Trade sectors??? market: 8,6% Fisheries - 0,7%? market: 8,6% 8 Or - 5,8% market: 8,6% Environment - affairs: 6,% home It takes form of long-term, affairs: 6,% on--ground cooperation It achieves concrete, matory results It is funded from EU beneficiaries? budget co-implemented by Member States partners Algeria: Algeria: Azerbaidjan: Georgia:,% home affairs: 6% beneficiaries? Israel:,% home affairs: 6%beneficiaries? Former Yugoslav Finance: Republic of 7% Finance: 7% Macedonia:,% Moldova: Turkey: 7,% Azerbaidjan: Algeria: Turkey: 7,% Morocco: Former Yugoslav Serbia: 7,% It is dem-driven Georgia:,% Azerbaidjan: Algeria: Turkey: 7,% Tunisia:,% Beneficiaries? beneficiaries?former Yugoslav Macedonia:,% partners? beneficiaries? Former Yugoslav Algeria: 6%,% Macedonia:Ukraine:,% 7,% Turkey: 7% *: Kosovo? ansport,ions: Transport,% cations:,%??? 7 Or : 5,8% social Or : 5,8% affairs:,5% Transport: Turkey: 7,% 5% 5% Transport Transport,%,% nment, Transport mmunications:,% Highlights 06 Or5: 7% Or5: 7% Structural funds: 3,5% protection: Environment: 6% Structural funds: 3,5% Finance: 6,7% Transport: 3,5% Finance: 6,7% Transport: Trade 3,5% social Finance: 6,7% industry: 3,5% affairs: % Trade social industry: 3,5% beneficiaries? affairs: % Health consumer protection: 3,5% Health consumer protection: 3,5% olicy areas? eas? Structural funds: Finance: 6,7% Ongoing Ongoing projects Ongoing projects projects Environment: : 58,8 % : 58,8 % Health consumer protection: missions 7 0 to to 8 8 to > 7rticipants missions Ongoing Twinning Projects (%) pants missions s % % % ood? Fisheries: 0,7% Or7: 5,8% 58,8% :,% :,% Georgia:,%Israel:,% It reliesazerbaidjan: ongeorgia: a Network Israel:of,% Moldova:,%,%Moldova: EU MemberIsrael: States National Morocco: Moldova: Contact Points EU Tunisia:,% Morocco: Beneficiaries? Delegations or Offices. Beneficiaries? Morocco: Tunisia:,% Algeria: 6% 6% Macedonia:,% Azerbaijan: Serbia: 7,% Azerbaijan: 6% Albania:,8% Georgia:,5% Serbia: 7,% Georgia: Bosnia,5% Israel: %,% Herzegovina: Serbia: 7,% Israel:,% %,% 6% Moldova: Kosovo*: Moldova: 6% Beneficiaries?,% % Kosovo*:Morocco: Turkey: 7% The former Yugoslav Republic The former Yugoslav Croatia: 6,% of Macedonia: % Republic of Macedonia: % Serbia: 7% Serbia: 7% Fisheries - 0,7%,5% Ukraine: 7,% Tunisia:,% Ukraine: 7,% Albania:,8% Ukraine: 7,% Former Yugoslav Macedonia -,% Macedonia -,% Azerbaidjan Israel -,% - Georgia -,% Moldova - Israel -,% How does it work? Moldova - Spain United Kingdom Pol Herzegovina -,% Slovakia Lithuania Italy Latvia Greece Hungary France Germany Finl Croatia: Tunisia:6,% % Serbia - 7,% Montenegro -,% Israel Montenegro -,% Kosovo* - 7 % Kosovo* - Croatia - 6,% Croatia - 6,% Syria Once a Tunisiapartner,%country in consultation with EU Delegation or Office decides that a Twinning project Morocco - Lebanon beneficiaries? can provide added value for its modernisation process, a call is launched simultaneously in 8 EU Ukraine Tunisia- 7,%,% beneficiaries?member States through National Contact Points. A er receiving proposals, a selection committee Palestine** Ukraine - 7,% (on which -,8% partner EU Delegation or Office are represented) will award project to a single EU Albania 3 Iraq Jordan 0,5% Bosnia Member State or -a,8% consortium of EU Member States as described in winning proposal. Once project Albania Herzegovina -,% is implemented, it is Bosnia managed by two project leaders, one on behalf of leading Member State, or Herzegovina -,% on behalf of partner. In stard Twinning projects, a Resident Twinning Adviser (RTA) is seconded to partner institution for duration of Twinning project which usually lasts from months to 36 months. Twinning Light is designed to offer a more flexible approach (over a period of six to eight months) without need to deploy a RTA from lead EU Member State. Interim final reporting review missions ensure monitoring of project assessment of its impact in medium term. This Twinning project has helped our institution our stakeholders to strengn our overall capacity for implementation of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It has increased food security, market stability competitiveness of our producers within agricultural fishery sectors has ensured quality of products services for our citizens. Matilda Copić, Director General of Croatian Paying Agency Both in in regions. 5 Or includes: stardisation certification, statistics, nuclear safety, energy, Public Administration Reform, culture telecommunications. 6 Strictly speaking, Croatia benefited from most of awarded Twinning projects in 06. As a new EU Member State, Croatia was still eligible, until January 07, for Twinning assistance. ** This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine is without prejudice to individual positions of Member States on this issue. Morocco - Serbia - 7,% Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Austria In 06, Twinning projects were Albania:,8% Bosnia ongoing across Herzegovina:,% Croatia: 6,%Tunisia: % Albania:,8% Bosnia Structural funds - Ukraine: 7% regions. As Herzegovina:,% regards,5% Or8-5,8% Croatia: 6,% Bosnia FisheriesKosovo*: - 0,7% 6% Ukraine: 7% Transport - social Georgia arket: 8,6% Herzegovina:,% 5% Albania: 8 new projects awarded in Kosovo*: 6% 8 Trade affairs -,5% Environment - - 5,8% market: 8,6%Or Albania: 5% industry - Bosnia 3% 06, former Yugoslav Republic StructuralHealth funds - Bosnia consumer Croatia: Herzegovina: % Environment - 6% of Macedonia6 among partners in Azerbaijan Croatia: 6% protection - Herzegovina: % Transport - funds - Structural home social area, Ukraine in 7% affairs - 6,% Trade affairs -,5% Transport- -6,7% Eastern Algeria in social industry - Finance Trade affairs -,5% Sourn had Health consumer industry - protection - EU country highest number of projects. Among Health consumer home Turkey - is leading project? EU Member States, France was awarded protection affairs - 6,% home 85 % most new projects both in general Finance - 6,7% 3 affairs - 6,% across French-speaking beneficiaries? ENI South Finance - 6,7% of Sourn ; Austria ENI East ENI South 0 Armenia ENI South lead in region Turkish Cypriot Turkey - 7,% 3 % Algerie - Lithuania ranked first in Eastern Azerbaidjan - community 3 Former Yugoslav 6 6 Georgia -,% 3. As in 05, 0 Israel -,% Macedonia -,% 3 Moldova - 0 Home Affairs (JHA) were 0 beneficiaries? preferred policy area of new projects in Morocco - Serbia - 7,% Tunisia-,% all 0 regions accounting for 6% 6of 6 beneficiaries? beneficiaries? Montenegro -,% Ukraine - 7,% newly awarded projects, a 6clear 6 sign of Kosovo* - Algerie - Turkey - 7,% continued importance this matic 6 6 Albania -,8% Azerbaidjan - area has among EU s neighbours. FormerTurkey Yugoslav Algerie - - 7,% Croatia - 6,% Bosnia Georgia -,% Morocco: % Kosovo*:

4 TAIEX 06 in depth Highlights 06 TAIEX activities per sector market Home Affairs Financial services: 8% Or 7 : % Consumer health protection: 8% Economy, trade free movement of goods: % Customs union taxation: % TOTAL 07 Social policy, employment, education culture: 5% Regional policy structural instruments: % & Judiciary: 7% Fight against corruption organised crime: 5% TOTAL 35 Fundamental Human Rights: 8% Or: 3% Migration: %Security: 35% Food Safety Transport Telecommunications Fishery: % : 3% Science research: % Environment: 57% Energy: 8% Phytosanitary issues: % TOTAL 3 Transport: 6% TOTAL Veterinary: % Food Safety: 3% Information society media: 5% TAIEX delivers on EU policy priorities Throughout 06 TAIEX organised a series of activities on migration, internal external security, on economic governance areas which EU leaders placed high on EU policy agenda in Bratislava in September 06. At same time, TAIEX continued to address or important areas, in particular reinforcing role of EU as a global actor promoting efforts to boost employment, growth investment in EU neighbouring regions. For example, in former Yugoslav Macedonia TAIEX worked on bringing national legislation on asylum procedures in line with EU stards on strengning institutional capacities in that area. In Serbia, TAIEX helped to assess national Integrated Border Management Strategy in order to better respond to security threats risks. TAIEX also helped Western Balkans Turkey with ir Economic Reform Programmes provided expertise on digitalisation, Interconnectivity (ICT) skills e-commerce. Every week in 06, an average of five TAIEX activities focused on migration, security economic governance. Thanks to TAIEX, Montenegro drafted a Law on Asylum aligned with EU asylum stards. Fundamental rights of asylum applicants including most vulnerable ones are guaranteed while at same time ensuring faster determination procedures. Moreover, asylum seekers beneficiaries of international protection will benefit from user-friendly multilingual brochures on ir rights obligations. Such activities supported by TAIEX could be a model for or facing similar challenges. Cédric Dartois, Belgian Asylum Expert, on a series of activities carried out in Montenegro Working for gender equality Gender equality is at core of European values enshrined in EU legal political framework. In 06 TAIEX renewed its long-term commitment to gender equality with many different actions. In January, for example, Belgian, Croatian Swedish shared ir expertise on combatting gender stereotypes in media with Montenegrin colleagues. In November officials from Belarus drew inspiration from experience of Portuguese Public Prosecution Service for ir legislation on prevention of domestic violence. As for gender balance in TAIEX activities, re is still room for improvement with 6% of female 5% of male attending TAIEX events. It is however among Member State mobilised by TAIEX where gap is more significant, as only one third are women. To respond to this challenge, TAIEX is designing specific strategies to support women s registration in TAIEX Expert Database it is stepping up efforts on gender dimension of statistics reporting. 7 Or includes: statistics; Public Administration Reform; competition; budget audit; intellectual property; public procurement; parliaments; free provision of services.

5 TAIEX 06 Success stories Highlights 06 Building an innovation ecosystem in Serbia Innovation has a key role in growth investments is supported by EU enlargement policy. The government of Serbia has increasingly recognised importance of developing a knowledge-based innovative economy it has progressively taken measures to support an innovation-supporting environment. In this context, in November, officials from Innovation Fund of Serbia visited Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation in Helsinki. Finnish provided practical advice on establishment operation of an innovation ecosystem in line with EU best practice, on performance impact indicators on evaluation mechanisms for nationally funded start-ups. The study visit succeeded in bringing toger from one of best performing EU Member States according to European Innovation Scoreboard, with colleagues from Serbia seeking exactly that expertise. Supporting reform of judiciary in Bosnia Herzegovina The fight against corruption organised crime is one of cornerstones of EU accession process. Thus it is key for such as Bosnia Herzegovina, which is currently undertaking reform of judiciary system. To support its efforts to build a more independent accountable judiciary, in September 06, TAIEX sent officials of Bosnian High Judicial Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) to Rome on a study visit. The had opportunity to exchange best practice with colleagues from Italian Superior Council of Magistrates or key judicial institutions, as Admir Suljagic, one of, recalled, to learn from Italian experience in combatting organised crime terrorism. As a result, a series of follow-up TAIEX activities was organised in Bosnia Herzegovina so as to continue supporting country s EU integration process. Ensuring coordination on food safety in Lebanon Food safety is a major concern for Lebanon its citizens. In recent years country has tried to develop a well-rounded system to undertake checks on foodstuff by putting in place a number of laws regulations as well as a database of food establishments. However, responsibilities in food safety domain are split among nine ministries, thus causing some degree of inefficiency. To help Lebanese National Food Safety Committee in devising an efficient coordination system among authorities in charge, TAIEX organised an expert mission in September followed by a workshop in November. According to Alberto Mancuso Giuseppe Diegoli, Italian involved, mission was crucial for beneficiaries to identify gaps overlaps in food safety practices to devise a roadmap for improvement of food safety system an action plan. These documents were discussed during workshop, with a view to establishing a food safety authority in future. Bringing Ukraine closer to EU In 06 TAIEX stepped up its efforts in Ukraine through several activities. In April September, for example, two such expert missions brought Belgian, German, Lithuanian Spanish expertise to assist with national gas law certification of transmission system operator for gas. In October, Polish officials advised ir Ukrainian counterparts on establishment of volunteer fire-fighting brigades. In November French, Latvian Polish arrived in Kiev to discuss rules of origin in customs area. These activities supported, among or things, implementation of Deep Comprehensive Free Trade Area with Ukraine in areas of customs trade facilitation also helped country in its reform efforts. Polish experience in field of civil protection was very valuable for us as Pol was also part of socialist bloc. We are now using this knowledge to create a tailored-made system for Ukraine noted Sergii Kudin, State Emergency Service.

6 Twinning 06 Success stories Highlights 06 Backing Tunisia s reform efforts on justice Since 0 revolution, EU has used all of its available instruments to support Tunisian people reforms needed for democratic transition. Two Twinning projects were launched in 05 on reforming judiciary modernising prison system. Peer-to-peer activities were found to be best approach to strengn capacity of institute responsible for training of judges court clerks Institut supérieur de la magistrature (ISM) to reform prison administration. The end of 06 marked halfway point projects have already achieved much in improving conditions of Tunisian prisons independence of judiciary: new organisational charts of both ISM Directorate for prisons have been finalised, six new probation offices in first instance courts have been put in place selection training of judicial staff has been modernised, thus making concrete steps in bringing justice sector in line with international stards. Working with Montenegro on Schengen acquis Schengen rules are one of major achievements of EU are key for any country on accession path. Being fully equipped to meet challenges related to border management is particularly difficult in this moment, as last years unprecedented migration fl ows humanitarian emergency put a huge strain on our neighbouring regions. A Twinning project on adoption of Schengen acquis was launched in Montenegro in 0. The country had already adopted a number of measures but much was, for instance, still left to improve legal package related to border management. The project addressed many of se shortcomings. When it ended in 06, a Schengen Action Plan had been implemented, Montenegrin Border Police had improved its capacity for performing risk assessments Police Directorate had improved its capacity in field of international police cooperation. The project also paved way for stronger cooperation with EU on this topic through a future budget support programme, which is planned for 07. Assisting Albania in efficiently using public funds Good governance, reform of public administration public financial management are some of main foci of EU process. The promotion of efficient, effective transparent use of public funds is very important as quality of public spending impacts on quality quantity of services State provides to its citizens. Since it became a cidate country, Albania has worked on putting in place reforms needed in this area. In 0 a new Twinning project was launched to improve not only efficiency effectiveness of public financial management, but also transparency, accountability professionalism of public administration. At its conclusion in 06, project had achieved tangible results such as helping Albania develop significant expertise, efficient tools, improved capacity of administration a better legal framework to safeguard better value for money fight misuse of public funds, fraud corruption. Supporting Azerbaijan s World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership Accession to WTO is key to Azerbaijan, as it is linked to long-term objective of supporting country s sustainable economic development. WTO membership is also a requirement to furr formalise trade links with EU. In this context, in 03 a Twinning project on development of a modern system of stardisation technical regulations started in country with aim of supporting Azerbaijan authorities in developing a stardisation regulatory system in compliance with EU WTO requirements. Finalised in 06, project managed to achieve, among or things, a regulatory framework for quality management conformity assessment in line with EU WTO requirements, which is now ready to be adopted. The specification for a database for Azerbaijan Stards was developed with an accessible online catalogue a modern system for sale of stards. These achievements will impact significantly on country s ability to access world markets bring it one step closer to achieving its WTO membership.

7 Twinning 06 in depth Highlights 06 Reforming Twinning In 0 European Commission started refl ecting on how to steer Twinning in a new strategic direction to promote it as part of EU Member States cooperation efforts with regions. In this context, reform of Twinning Manual was undertaken in such a way so as to make this unique cooperation instrument more fl exible easier to use. In September 06 process entered its most vivid phase when first draft of new Manual was presented to EU Member States National Contact Points in Vienna. The fruit of an inclusive process, reform covers, among or things, simplified financial procedures, a decrease of administrative burden for EU Member States, a faster project-cycle, an increase in minimum compensation for EU Member State in order to attract best talent from public administrations assimilated bodies, a harmonisation of procedures between regions a reinforced section on communication visibility. The Twinning tool was also aligned with Commission s policies on Public Administration Reform. The Twinning reform new Manual are set to enter into force on July 07. What differences did Twinning make in 06 Twinning s uniqueness success lie in fact that, for any given contract, an EU Member State expert is seconded to partner administration to help it to achieve specific matory operational results aiming, for example, at strengning an anti-corruption department or at reorganising a veterinary agency. The result of Twinning project targeting Court of Auditors in Algeria is undoubtedly enabling Court to refine consolidate its working methods with a view to producing more efficient audit work. The Court will for sure play an important role in national control system of public finance. Thanks to this Twinning project Ukraine successfully finalised implementation of its model for management of electronic equipment waste. We managed to find common ground with all stakeholders involved in sector we are now working toger with our European colleagues on developing proper legislation in line with EU law. Thanks to Twinning Project high visibility was given to role of Anti-Corruption Agency in Serbia in its efforts to prevent corruption, encourage reforms harmonise its set of laws with EU legislation values. The project definitely increased awareness on corruption in Serbia. Mohamed Salim Benanmar, Secretary- General of Algerian Court of Auditors Maksym Barinov, Ministry for Regional Development, Construction, Housing Municipal Services of Ukraine Filippo Romano, project leader Eugenio Turco, Resident Twinning Adviser Twinning s long-term positive impact Twinning projects show a track-record of long-term durable results, as y rest on an in-depth assessment of joint efforts to implement reforms needed in specific sectors. In 06, for example, a review mission on a Twinning project in Albania related to customs found that an impressive 8% of Twinning recommendations were put into place still continued to be in place two years after end of project. Among or things, many of matory results of project had been fully embedded within Albanian law a new National Strategy on Intellectual Property had been developed incorporating EU law into Albanian legislation. A site visit to both existing proposed Customs Laboratory premises was both enlightening useful to fully underst huge positive developments that are occurring in this sector, with evident political impetus significant funding commitment David Webb, expert in charge of mission, mentioned in his report. As Twinning review mission on Albanian Customs Administration shows, Twinning has a considerable longterm impact which makes it a one-of-a-kind reform-fostering instrument with sustainability.

8 TAIEX from past to future Highlights 06 Celebrating 0 years of TAIEX TAIEX Strategic To mark its 0th anniversary success of instrument between April June 06 TAIEX organised five celebratory workshops. The objective of seminars was to create a platform at which EU Member States officials who experienced TAIEX in ir pre-accession efforts shared ir experience with beneficiaries of today s peer-to-peer assistance. Each seminar focused on a different topic: information society media was covered by Lithuania, market surveillance by Malta, youth employment by Slovakia, judicial cooperation in criminal matters by Pol marketing stards in fruit vegetables by Croatia. The conferences promoted a fruitful exchange of experiences on strong bond between approximation to EU legislation TAIEX assistance triggered several follow-up requests for assistance. TAIEX has put down strong roots as a key capacity building tool for regions which want to approximate, apply enforce EU legislation. In recent times, evolution of policy needs has called for a redefinition of TAIEX s role in a more proactive sense. In early 06 process of TAIEX recalibration was launched which led to implementation of TAIEX strategic, key objective of which is to facilitate structural reforms necessary in regions as well as to catalyse reforms where possibilities arise. Under TAIEX strategic, enhanced contribution to fulfilment of specific policy objectives both within Directorate-General (DG) for Negotiations across line DGs can be offered. Thanks to its flexible, tailor-made responsive approach to its very broad well-grounded understing of EU legislation, TAIEX strategic can give its contribution to forecasting sequencing of activities in support of policy reforms to programming of Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance () of European Policy (ENP). Born twenty years ago as a dem-driven instrument, TAIEX is available today both in its classic strategic forms thus giving partners EU institutions a flexible reliable instrument which is up to speed up with times. «How I discovered TAIEX» Interview with Maciej Popowski Maciej Popowski is DG NEAR s Deputy-Director General in charge of Sourn, Turkey, Migration, Refugees Security. He is also far of a daughter, an enthusiastic traveller a fervent fan of rock music, - a passion he clearly illustrates by showcasing a collection of little guitars in his office. When TAIEX was created, more than twenty years ago, he was a diplomat based in Mission of Pol to European Union. He witnessed creation of Technical Assistance Information Exchange Office, which immediately caught his attention as he quickly understood how such a tool could help Pol with complex pieces of EU legislation. He started promoting instrument in his country, which he considered to be a key tool in EU accession process. Many success stories later, Mr Popowski remembers creation of instrument its evolution over time. In which context did you first cooperate with TAIEX? In 8 Pol started accession negotiations with a fairly small team of technicians. When screening of EU law started, we needed people with knowledge of files, which was a scarce commodity at that time. Fortunately most of m benefited from TAIEX expertise. TAIEX worked in close cooperation with Polish administration during this process in order to identify gaps to provide targeted support. Did results of TAIEX activities match your expectations? The initiative was a real success story. People were hungry for knowledge but also curious to meet ir peers in EU Members States people from European Commission. As a natural continuation of TAIEX instrument, Twinning was created, offering cidate opportunity to exchange best practices to learn from experience of EU Member States on a longer-term basis. Even though I had no firsth experience with Twinning, I clearly remember significant contribution of a Dutch seconded national expert who supported Polish Ministry of in reform of criminal law. What do you think of strategic direction TAIEX has taken today? Today partners are different but objective remains unchanged. TAIEX has an excellent track record as one of best performing instruments for capacity building public reform: fostering peer-to-peer assistance technical exchanges among administrations. The instrument s additional strategic approach makes sure that not only partners needs are catered for, but that EU s strategic priorities benefit from this highly flexible efficient tool. For more information visit our websites or contact directly Institution Building Unit : TAIEX: Twinning: NEAR-Taiex@ec.europa.eu - NEAR-Twinning@ec.europa.eu European Union, 07 Neir European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of Commission is responsible for use which might be made of following information. Reproduction is authorised provided source is acknowledged. Printed in Belgium. Catalogue Number: EZ-AF-7-00-EN-C (print) / EZ-AF-7-00-EN-N (pdf) ISBN: (print) / (pdf) ISSN: 5-50 (print) / (pdf) doi:0.876/063 (print) / doi:0.876/08 (pdf)