Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia
A) The Government of Norway has decided to fund a sub-regional programme “Nordic Support for Progress in North Macedonia” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The project consists of a socio-economic development support to the more undeveloped parts of the country and also envisages support to the Macedonian authorities responsible for leading the renewed efforts on the EU accession process.
The Government of Norway has allocated funding for the implementation of the Project in Macedonia during 24 months.
The Overall Objective is to contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development and contribute to the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and EU accession negotiations priorities.
Specifically, the programme has objectives at the local and national levels i.e. locally, to increase employment opportunities, support social cohesion as well as to enhance local infrastructure in the less developed areas with a focus given to the inclusion of youth, women and vulnerable groups in the labour market. Nationally, the programme aims at supporting the government to improve its capacity for EU integration and government reform agenda in the accession process
All Project activities will be undertaken in partnership and cooperation with national and local institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria. This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.
B) The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency has decided to fund a project “Support to progress in North Macedonia - Government reform agenda in the EU-accession process” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The objective of the project supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is to support the enhancement of the EU integration capacity of the Republic of North Macedonia by providing technical assistance to government institutions during the accession period.
SIDA has allocated funding for the implementation of the project in Macedonia during 24 months.
The Overall Objective of the SIDA support is to contribute to, and effectively communicate to the public, the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, accession negotiations and government reform priorities in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Project interventions are aimed towards communicating the benefits of the EU accession process to the general population, as well as to involve the civil society and media throughout the accession phases. All project activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Macedonia, in cooperation with the national institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria.
This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.
Background Information – relevant for the assignment
The purpose of Result 1 “Supporting the government reform agenda in the accession process” is to provide support to relevant national institutions in charge of alignment of national legal acts with the EU acquis and to contribute to further capacity building of central coordination structures and relevant national structures for successful carrying out of the screening process (explanatory and bilateral screening). The overall process is coordinated by the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA), as main coordination body in the accession negotiation process.
The National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), as key strategic and planning document in the accession negotiation process is planned, monitored and updated on regular basis. The NPAA is prepared and monitored by 33 working groups, established for each chapter of the acquis.
NPAA includes a comprehensive analysis of the EU Acquis, listing short- and medium-term priorities in planning reforms, policies and strategies, plan and schedule for harmonization of national legislation with the Acquis, administrative structures for implementation of legislation in terms of capacity building, establishment new/or restructuring existing, human resource development and training needs, as well as financial resources. NPAA is revised every year, taking into account the European Commission Country Reports and possible updates of the EU acquis. It is the basis for the preparation of the administration for the screening process and preparation of negotiation positions in the negotiation process.
The Ministry of Economy (ME) is the responsible institution for Chapter 01 Free movement of goods, in the Republic of North Macedonia. The EC country report from May 2019 has clearly indicated that there is need for further advancement in this area. ME prepared two draft laws: draft Law on Technical Requirements and Assessment of Conformity of Products and Draft Law on General Safety of Products. These laws introduce a legal basis for adoption of new rulebooks in accordance with the EU New Approach Directives in seven industrial sectors (pressure equipment, transportable pressure equipment, low voltage equipment, electromagnetic compatibility, simple pressure vessels, elevators, ATEX, explosives for civilian use, radio telecommunication equipment, recreational crafts, and a part of construction products).
The Draft Law on Technical Requirements and Assessment of Conformity of Products is currently in inter-ministerial consultations. ME, after completing inter-ministerial consultations, will prepare the whole package, and send it to EC services for consultation and comments. According to the revised NPAA (2020-2025) the Law is planned to be adopted in Q4 2020.