European economic integration:

On 11.11.2009 was held the “11th Expert Forum” on the topic: “European economic integration: IPA Funds to stimulate economic transition and support a market economy”.

This Expert Forum is a joint project of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Macedonian-German business association. The main aim of the Forum was to exchange regional experience and provide support for Macedonia to accelerate its European economic integration through the constructive use of the IPA Funds.

The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) offers financial assistance for the period 2007-2013 to countries aspiring to join the European Union on the basis of the lessons learnt from previous external assistance and pre-accession instruments. The aim of the IPA is therefore to enhance the efficiency and coherence of reforms by means of a single framework. This framework incorporates the previous pre-accession and stabilization assistance to candidate countries while respecting their specific features and reform processes in which they are engaged.

On this Expert Forum economic specialists took part and offered their constructive opinions and how best to apply and use the IPA Funds. They were all representatives of the institutions directly connected with IPA Funds, and their implementation, representatives of the NGO-s dealing with the issue of IPA Funds, Governmental representatives, including the Minister of Economics Besimi, EU representatives responsible for IPA Funds. He underlined the importance of the funds: “After the positive report from EU Commission, many things are left to be done, in order to reach the main goal, EU membership, implementing reforms and improving the living standards of the citizens. This is possible mainly with proper use of IPA Funds”.

Kristina Kocevska