Wednesday, 8 February 2012
JOINT MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN ISSUES
The National Council for European Integration and the Committee on European Issues today held their third joint meeting during which they discussed the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA) revision 2012.
Representatives of the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Macedonia and of the Embassies of the EU member-countries were invited at the meeting. Mr. Robert Liddell, Charge d'affaires at the Delegation of the European Union, and Ambassadors or representatives of the Kingdom of Spain, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Italy, the Republic of Slovenia, the Czech Republic, representatives or Austria, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Bulgaria, and of the Liaison Office of the Hellenic Republic attended the meeting.
Ms. Teuta Arifi, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs presented the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis (revision 2012).
NPAA is a key document for the EU integration process reflecting the dynamics of harmonization of the national legislation with the European law as well as the adjustment of national institutions to the European administrative structures.
The National Program for Adoption of the Acquis (revision 2012) is NPAA’s fifth revision. The NPAA revision keeps the same methodological concept for preparation of this document, as regards the context, it comprises the plans for harmonization of the national legislation with the EU legislation, the necessary dynamics for institutional strengthening for implementation of the regulation, as well as the resources required for realization. Key elements in the revision of NPAA are:
The findings of the European Commission Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia 2008 in the EU accession process; the obligations deriving from the Stabilization and Association Agreement; the priorities set in the Council Decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the EU Accession Partnership with the Republic of Macedonia; the Work Programme of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia; the strategic plans of the ministries; the Budget of the Republic of Macedonia for year 2009; the current and planned projects for foreign assistance.
In 2012 the focus remains on the strengthening of the rule of law and the public administration reform, as one of the most important challenges and preconditions in the process of accession to the EU.
Regarding the activities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, the focus will be on securing the necessary conditions for ongoing political dialogue and securing high level of coordination, regular implementation of the provisions of the Law on the Assembly, as well as finalization of the establishing of the parliamentary Institute.
After an extensive debate, the National Council for European Integration and the Committee on European Issues adopted unanimously the Opinion on the adoption of the Acquis in 2012:
1. The National Council for European Integration and the Committee on European Affairs recommend that the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and its working bodies should give priority to the review and adoption of the laws planned for adoption in the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis (revision 2012), listed in Annex 1;
2. The National Council for European Integration and the Committee on European Issues recommend that the working bodies of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia should review the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis (revision 2012), in the sections and chapters according to the area of competence of the working bodies;
3. In accordance with the adopted conclusions regarding the discussion on the Republic of Macedonia 2011 Progress Report, the National Council and the Committee on European Issues urge the working bodies of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to monitor the implementation of the Action Plan for realization of the recommendations from the 2011 Progress Report, as well as of the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis;
4. Taking into consideration the Republic of Macedonia 2011 Progress Report of the European Commission, as well as the remarks regarding the work of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, the Council and the Committee point to the need for the Assembly to continue with its work based on dialogue, which is one of the key priorities of the Accession Partnership;
5. In order to reach higher level of inclusiveness and transparency in the process of preparation and adoption of the laws from the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis in 2012, in the forthcoming period the National Council for European Integration will organize public debates on the proposals from Annex 2.
In that direction, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia should secure regular practice of delivering the working texts of the laws from Annex 2 of this Opinion, in order for the Council to be able to provide serious analysis of the proposed laws and to give proposals, suggestions and recommendations;
6. The National Council for European Integration recommends to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia to organize public debates and consultations with the interested parties during the preparations of the by-laws for important laws that are part of the National Program for Adoption of the Acquis, in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, for assessment of the impact of regulation with the aim better implementation of the laws in practice;
7. We welcome the realization of the Project IPA-TAP "Technical assistance to the Parliament" financed by the European Union. The general objective is to enhance the institutional capacity of the Parliament and to improve its transparency and responsibility before the citizens. The series of trainings intended for some of the Staff, as well as for the MP's, realized in the framework of the Project, is a good base for improvement of the knowledge and procedures for work. Additionally, they can help in the realization of the active role of the Parliament in the accession negotiations for European Union membership.
8. Having in mind the competences and the objectives of the National Council for European Integrations, it is important to continue to invest in the development of the human resources in the Parliament Staff, as well as of the employees in the Department for Support of the National Council for European Integrations, and to enable continued trainings about the EU for the purpose of development of their professional skills;
9. The National Council for European Integrations and the Committee on European Issus call on all the factors in the society to give their active contribution in the process of harmonization of the legislation of the Republic of Macedonia with that of the European Union;
10. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia shall be informed about the contents of this Opinion. In addition to that, this opinion should be published on the website of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.