Press Conference "Strengthening Capacities of the Serbian Administration for EU Accession - SA4EU2"
Human resources, as one of the essential conditions for a faster reform and successful process of European integration of Serbia, was the main topic of the press conference held in Media Centre on Wednesday, May 11th 2011. Conference was organised by European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Belgrade Open School. Attendants were greeted by H.E. Mr Nils Ragnar Kamsvĺg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Serbia, Ms Milica Delevic, Head of the European Integration Office Government of the Republic of Serbia, and Ms Vesna Djukic, General Director of Belgrade Open School.
„Even though Norway is not a member of the European Union, it is a member of European Economic Area (EEA) which covers the main economic aspects of the European cooperation, thus Norway has the advantages from a free movement of goods, capital, services and people on the EEA territory. Norway made profit on the account of these advantages and therefore, it is logical to support the aspirations of Serbia, and other countries in the region, to join the EU“ explained H.E. Mr Nils Ragnar Kamsvĺg and added that regardless the majority of citizens had declined the two referendums on Norwegian EU full membership, Norway Government feels that the European Union is of utmost importance for economic development and peace in Europe. „We think that fast integration with Europe is extremely important, especially for the Western Balkan countries known for their turbulent past. It is crucial for peace, social stability and economic development of the whole region, which is emphasised in the „White Book“ released in the first half of April“, he pointed out and concluded that „Since the process of European integrations offers a good framework for necessary reforms, Norway will continue to support capacity building and reforms in Serbia. Priorities of Norwegian help to Serbia for the upcoming years will be: public sector reform including defense, judicial system and police reform; good governance and rule of law, with the emphasis on the independent regulatory agencies; energy, environment and climate; gender equality, rights of women, rights of marginalised groups and minority rights. In 2011, Norwegian donation to Serbia is approximately 13 milion euros.“
„Through advanced educational programmes, Belgrade Open School and European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, have notably contributed to the improvement of Serbian administration’s knowledge about the EU policies,“ said Vesna Djukic, General Director of Belgrade Open School. She added that 360 participants had attended those advanced programmes which offered new information and good practices examples regarding the EU institutions and decision-making processes, as well as the EU policies in the field of information-communications technology, health, environmental protection, and regional policy. On a five-day study trips to Brisel, 180 participants had visited the main EU institutions thus improving their knowledge, and made new contacts significant for their future work in the field of European integration process of Serbia.
Milica Delevic, Head of the European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, said that both projects significantly eased the European integration process of Serbia because participants had attended the programmes that improved their knowledge about the EU policies and contributed to the overall understanding of the process. Those kind of projects guaranteed success because they were the product of intersectoral partnership between civil and public sector. She added that with regard to results achieved in the previous period, European Integration Office would continue organising simmilar activities in partnership with Belgrade Open School, and that she supported projects which contributed to a faster European integration of Serbia.
European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Belgrade Open School started the project „Strengthening Capacities of the Serbian Administration for European Accession“ with the aim to improve the capacity of local, regional and national administration of Serbia in the European integration process through several advanced educational programmes.
Project is being implemented with the financial help of the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, within the programme of the bilateral treaty between the Government of the Kingdom of Norway and the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
Advanced educational programmes are intended for the representatives of local, regional and national government, public companies, development agencies and other institutions and bodies of the Republic of Serbia that are included in creation and implementation of policies regarding European integration process of Serbia.