Master Programme in European Integration and Regionalism

The CORE TOPICS are:
- Module I: European Integration (2 residential weeks in September 2007, Bolzano, Italy)
- Module II: EU Law (2 residential weeks in November 2007, Luxembourg)
- Module III: Federalism and Regionalism (2 residential weeks in January 2008, Graz, Austria)
- Module IV:Regional and Social Cohesion (2 residential weeks in April 2008, Barcelona, Spain)
- Module V: Minorities and Diversity (2 residential weeks in June 2008, Bolzano, Italy)

Applications can be made either to the full Programme or to single modules. In the latter case attendance of a module will lead to the award of a certificate.

DEGREE
Successful participants of the Master Programme will be awarded by the University of Graz the academic degree of a "Master of European Studies" (M.E.S.).

TARGET GROUP
- Civil servants from local, regional or national administrations who are dealing with EU affairs and therefore require both theoretical and practical training in EU and regional issues;
- Lawyers, economists, social scientists and others in the employment of non-governmental organisations wishing to enhance inter-disciplinary skills and to specialise on different aspects of European integration, regionalism and diversity;
- Graduate students wishing to acquire a more in-depth understanding of EU and regional issues, beneficial for a future career in the academia or even practice-orientated work.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION
The deadline for application for the academic year 2007/2008 is 1 June 2007.

START OF THE PROGRAMME
The first module of the academic year 2007/2008 will start on 3 September 2007.

Further information about the Programme as well as the application forms can be found at http://www.eurac.edu/meir

We would appreciate if you would disseminate information about the Masters Programme to anyone who may be interested in participating.

CONTACT European Academy of Bolzano Minorities and AutonomiesDrususallee/Viale Druso 1 I-39100 Bozen/Bolzano, Italy Phone: +39 0471 055 223
Fax: +39 0471 055 299 email: meir@eurac.edu

Invest in Macedonia - New Business Heaven in Europe - campaign to promote Macedonian business potentials

Invest in Macedonia - New Business Heaven in Europe is the name of the campaign, which the Government launched on January 19 in order to promote Macedonian business potentials.
- The campaign for Macedonia's promotion as an investment destination will be implemented until March 1, by 50 leading newspapers in 35 countries, out of which 24 will be EU countries, in 24 languages. Total circulation of these printed media is over 9 million, whereas their readership surpasses 30 million, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told journalist at Wednesday's news conference. Macedonia 's opportunities will be presented on 20 on-line editions of the aforementioned newspapers.
The printed media include Financial Times, New York Times, Economist, Wall Street Journal, Herald Tribune, Banker, Figaro, Die Presse, Australien, Sunday Telegraph, 24 Hours, Irish Times...
According to Gruevski, Macedonia offered investors the following advantages: lowest profit tax of 10%, lowest income tax of 10%, 0% tax of reinvested profit, prompt registration of companies within 3 days, 370 euros gross average salary, free access to large market of 650 million consumers, macroeconomic stability with 3,1% inflation, great infrastructure and EU and NATO membership candidate.
- Basicly, this is a pre-campaign, which is expected to encourage investors to think about investing in Macedonia , but it will have positive effect on county's overall image, said Gruevski.
The Government, added Gruevski, has no irrealistic exoectations. - We don't believe that an investment boom will happen over night, because the first tangible results will be occur after certain period of time. This is only the begining of a permanent campaign, which Macedonia need for a long time, he said.

The European Commission Progress Report on Republic of Macedonia handed over

The European Commission welcomes the reforms achieved in Macedonia in the last year, however it notes to the Government that it should speed up the judicial and internal affairs reforms and to reinforce the measures for fight against organised crime and corruption. This is indicated in the European Commission Progress Report on Republic of Macedonia in the EU accession process, which was published on 8 November 2006.
“Republic of Macedonia has continued to make progress over the past year – since the granting of candidate status a year ago – but at a slower pace”, the Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn during today’s presentation of the EC Report. The report also states that the Parliamentary Elections might be one of the reasons for the slower implementation of the reforms.
The Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Macedonia, Erwan Fouéré has officially handed over the European Commission’s report to the Government of Republic of Macedonia.
“This Report gives the indication on what we should focus in future, what are the weaknesses that we should concentrate on, what we should do, and where we need to pay more attention. And that is what we are going to do”, outlined Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, after the handover of the Report. He also pointed out that Government will analyse the Report and subsequently express its position.
According to the Ambassador Fouéré the Report reflects the progress that has been achieved by Macedonia in the past 12 months. “This report is based on rigorous objective assessment of the progress achieved and also it is encouragement to the country to pursue the reform and to redouble its effort in order to bring the country further on the way towards EU accession”, Fouéré said.
“The Report gives a realistic reflection of the conditions, and it will provide the positive framework within which the Government will position its priorities for the upcoming period, so that in 2007 we can show results on the issues that have been raised in the Report”, the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European Affairs, Gabriela Konevska Trajkovska said.
Konevska-Trajkovska referred to certain issues which have been raised in the Report. In the area of political criteria, she emphasised the fight against corruption, public administration, and the issues of political dialogue. In respect to the criteria for adoption of the acquis communautaire, a focus on the implementation of the strategic documents and law enforcement is needed. A special emphasis was given to the harmonisation in the area of electronic communications – liberalisation of telecommunications, which is also a priority in the implementation of the Stabilisation and association Agreement.
The documents are attached at the following links:
Progress report on the Republic of Macedonia [en]
EU Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2006 – 2007[en]
Extract from the Conclusions of the EC's Report to the European Parliament and the Council - Startegy for Enlargement and main Chalenges 2006-2007 [mk]

MACEDONIA – EU RELATIONS

The integration of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union represents a clear and categorically expressed strategic interest and a priority goal in the policy of the Macedonian Government. The bilateral Stabilization and Association Agreement signed in April 2001 is the last stadium before Macedonia’s admission to the family of developed European democracies. The agreement, as part of the stabilization and association process, initiated by the European Union, represents its major contribution to the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe. By the end of 2002, the agreement was ratified by the parliaments of Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and United Kingdom. In 2003, the parliaments of France, Portugal, Greece and Luxembourg also ratified the agreement.
Macedonia is the first country in Southeastern Europe that successfully brought to an end the negotiations for signing of such an agreement. Another detail of this accord is interesting, and that is the fact that the Agreement was first ratified by the European Parliament before the separate EU members states did the same. The Stabilization and Association Agreement, as a complex and legally binding political act, places the Republic of Macedonia among the potential members of the EU and makes it a factor in creating a Europe of the future, a society with the highest democratic values, security for all its citizens and social justice.
From an economic point of view, the Agreement opened the doors to one of the largest, and financially one of the most powerful market in the world. The European family is the most significant partner of the Macedonian economy and within those frames, exports to the EU account for 50.7%, as imports account for 45.2% of Macedonia’s total foreign trade. Before the Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed, in 1997, Macedonia and the EU signed an agreement for cooperation, as well as textile, wine, and transport agreements. Macedonia’s most important trade partners in Europe are Germany, Italy, and Greece, and its most important export products are ready-made clothing, hot rolled and zinc-coated plates, non-alloyed zinc, wine, ferrosilicon, flexes, footwear, and cotton yarn. The export of these goods earns Macedonia an annual profit of around $400 million.
The Stabilization and Association Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the EU
has an asymmetrical model that regulates their bilateral trade relations. Under the SAA, the Macedonia-made goods imported in the EU will not be subject to customs and quantity restrictions, save for fish, sea products, veal and wine. Macedonian goods will be one-sidedly entitled to customs relieves in a ten years’ period of adjustment towards a future, limitless competition. The European Union is already allowing customs-free import of almost all the Macedonian products, and with the gradual trade liberalization on the Macedonian side, a free trade zone will be introduced over the next ten years. Within the framework of the SAA, special protocols regulate trade in, what are known as, sensitive sectors, such as textiles, and production of steel and steel products.
In March 1996, the Republic of Macedonia became a full member of the PHARE program and between 1996 and 1999, 100 million euros was granted to Macedonia in support of its reforms.
In January 2002, the European Commission adopted a five-year strategy for Macedonia for which
EUR 110.5 million was approved. The EU financial aid will be implemented through the CARDS program from 2002 to 2006 and will support the plan for stabilization and association of the West Balkan countries. Priority will be given to the democratic processes, the legal, economic and social development, ecology and other key matters in the process. An accent will be put on the promotion of the civic society and the inter-ethnic dialogue, and on reconciliation and prevention of any new conflicts. The money will also be used to support the process of creating effective market economy, promote trade, decrease unemployment, improve the judiciary system, reinforce border controls, protect natural environment and prevent money laundering. For the countries in the region
included in the process of stabilization and association - Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro - the European Commission committed a total of EUR 5.5 billion.
In the next ten years, the EU, as well as other international political and financial factors are expected to show greater interest in the political consolidation of Southeastern Europe. In this regard, Macedonia is considered one of the leaders that should use its positive influence to help the countries of the Western Balkans get out of the crisis as soon as possible.

EIDHR - European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights, micro-projects, 2006 programme, call for proposals

The European Mission in Macedonia is seeking proposals for small-scale financial support for initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting human rights, as well as, democracy and governance strengthening with financial assistance from the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), micro-projects programme of the European Communities.

CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS UNDER GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES REUNITING EUROPE FUND

The British Embassy in Skopje seeks proposals from government institutions and civil
society for projects to be funded under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s
“Global Opportunities Reuniting Europe” Fund in the financial year 2007/08.
The deadline for submission of project concepts is 6 November 2006. Only selected
projects will be required to submit full bids by the 21 January 2006 deadline.
Macedonia is eligible to bid for the Global Opportunities Fund Reuniting Europe
Fund. The objective of this programme is to bolster and extend the success of
enlargement by supporting countries through the EU integration process, particularly
in the field of improved governance and economic growth. The overall budget for
Macedonia is £550,000 for the financial year 2007/2008. Interested implementers are
encouraged to submit multiyear projects ranging from £80,000 - £100,000 per year.
The Project Appraisal Committee of the British Embassy Skopje will consider
proposals that meet at least one of the GOF Reuniting Europe objectives as set at
below:
-To increase political and economic transparency and accountability
-To build administrative capacity for EU integration
-To contribute to the creation of a pro-business environment
All interested potential implementers are invited to a briefing meeting on Monday, 30
October 2006 at 12:00 at the British Embassy, Salvador Aljende 73, IZIIS
building.
Due to a limit on numbers, we would be grateful if each organisation is represented by
one person only. Please confirm the details of your representative by Friday, 27
October 2006, on the following contact numbers: 02 3299 277 or 02 3299 244.

Тhe Draft Strategy for Public Information and Communication has been presented

On 25 October 2006, the new Draft-Strategy for Public Information and Communication in the Process of European Union Integration of the Republic of Macedonia 2006-2010 was presented. The presentation took place in the building of the Government of Republic of Macedonia.The event was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European Affairs, Gabriela Konevska Trajkovska. She stressed that the EU membership is not a strategic priority of the government only, but also of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, which is confirmed by the support of 90 % for EU accession.“The goal of this Strategy is to raise the general level of knowledge abut the EU Integration Process. This Strategy will inform, educate, unite and mobilize towards the fulfilment of the EU idea. This approach is in line with the EU documents on public communication”, Konevska-Trajkovska outlined.“The government needs a clear strategy and a consistent message to convince the people at home that the short term pain of real reform is outweighed by the long term gain of real membership. And it needs a similar strategic approach to the external message that Macedonia is making the real changes needed to qualify for membership”, the Ambassador of Great Britain, Robert Chatterton Dickson said. “It is important every effort to be made from the earliest possible opportunity to prepare the public opinion of the challenges of becoming a member of the European family of nations. The support is enormous here, it is over 90%. But, we should keep it high and in order to do so, a lot of work has to be done. That is why this Strategy is very important”, the Head of the EU Mission to the Republic of Macedonia, Erwan Fouéré emphasised.Igor Ilievski, State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is prepared to make active and complete contribution to the successful implementation of this Strategy. This is the right time to develop, conceptualise and implement a comprehensive Strategy for media presentation of the Republic of Macedonia in the EU Member States”.The participants included State Secretaries form the Ministries, persons responsible for public relations, ambassadors from EU Member States as well as representatives from other institutions involved in the EU Integration process.Some of the key projects envisaged by the strategy include:develop a number of “champions” – people well known to the public or specific sectors, and trusted by them - to support Ministers promoting EU messages, These to be selected from the entertainment and sports world, business leaders, academia, and to be provided with programmes of activity and the Briefing/Message sheets
set up an informal consortium – Friends of the EU Process for RM – coordinated by the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and SEA. The consortium members would include eminent individuals form the EU Member States and would held informal meetings in Macedonia.
establish a virtual library/data bank of visual (photographs and video/DVDs) and audio material on EU issues, and key documents. For media use.
establish and coordinate a network of municipal information officers, through the Association of Units of Local Self Government, as a means of communicating with local communities.
establishment of EU Communication Centre (pool) to conduct a campaign (round table discussions, debates, workshops in the units of local self-government. The Centre would be coordinated by the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in cooperation with SEA, all ministries and the Association of Units of Local Self-Government.
SEA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture – establishment of EU Cultural Centre (pool) for promotion of Macedonia’s cultural and historical values in the country and abroad.
“We learn about the EU” – SEA and the Ministry of Education – a project aimed at organising regular educational presentations in primary, secondary and higher education institutions.
“EU and the Business” – SEA and the Ministry of economy – under coordination of the Deputy prime Minister responsible for Economic Affairs – a project aimed at organising promotional activities and debates about the economic standards, challenges and the expected results.
“The EU Agriculture and RM” – SEA and the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Water Supply – a project aimed at organising a campaign for approximation of the standards to the farmers, educational and promotional concept.