European Agency for Reconstruction

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The European Agency for Reconstruction ( EAR officially E uropean A gency for R econstruction ) was, in the period from 2000 to 2008 an agency of the European Union . Its headquarters were in Thessaloníki , Greece , with operations bases in Belgrade ( Serbia ), Podgorica ( Montenegro ), Pristina ( Kosovo ) and Skopje ( Macedonia ).

The agency's responsibilities included managing EU programs on the ground to rebuild areas of the Balkans destroyed by the war in the 1990s . The annual budget invested by the EU in the region for reconstruction amounted to 2.3 billion euros. As an independent agency, it was responsible to the European Parliament , representatives of the member states of the European Union and the European Commission .

End of EAR mandate

The EAR ceased its work at the end of 2008 after its mandate had been extended again to December 31, 2008 ( Council Regulation (EC) No. 1756/2006 of November 28, 2006 amending Regulation (EC) No. 2667/2000 via the European Agency for Reconstruction (PDF) ).

aims

It should support the four states with the following goals:

While shortly after the war the focus was on immediate material reconstruction of the region, later on strengthening state institutions at local and central level, strengthening the police and the judiciary, the state budget and public services were in the foreground.

The EAR should stabilize the countries in the region and bring the European Union closer.

Serbia

For Serbia , the EAR provides € 1.1 billion of which 86% (2006) have already been used. In 2005 the European Commission provided € 152 million for Serbia. In 2006 work will continue to strengthen the state institutions - from the judiciary to the media and the local administration to the health system - in order to develop Serbia into a market economy that can join the European Union. The 2005 and 2006 programs focus on long-term measures to help particularly vulnerable groups promote competition, protect consumers, and build a competitive economy that attracts foreign investors.

Concrete programs in Serbia

  • Support for administrative reform: support for the formation of a Supreme Audit Office,
  • Supporting the private sector in investment and growth: Support through training for employees and help with marketing abroad.
  • Relief by hand and regional integration: Support for cross-border institutions like the one in Horgos on the Hungarian border.
  • Restoration of transport infrastructure: reconstruction of the Sloboda Bridge in Novi Sad (€ 44 million)
  • Further improvements in the energy sector: Completion of the A5 power plant. Since 2000 the European Union has financed 35% of the thermal power plants in Serbia.

Previous activities of the European Union

Year 2004

The priority in 2004 was to strengthen the partnership between the European Union and Serbia in the process of European integration. The program was also focused on economic development and attracting foreign financial investors. For the first time, the reintegration of refugees was included in the program, a key point for Serbia as there are particularly many uprooted people there.

Year 2003

In 2003, the emphasis shifted to the public finance, justice and home affairs sectors. A reform aimed at decentralizing the administration was also pushed ahead. Support for Serbia's European integration was also high on the list. The EAR supported Serbia in harmonizing Serbian institutions and regulations to European standards.

Years 2001 and 2002

In 2001 the EAR focused more on medium and long term investments in the key sectors of energy, health, agriculture and private sector development. In 2002 the European Union increased its aid to long-term economic development by promoting good governance . In 2002 the Union started a € 170 million program to help restore infrastructure, promote small and medium-sized businesses, promote reforms, encourage independent media coverage and promote civil society .

Year 2000

The EAR has been active in Serbia since December 2000. First, the EAR financed a rescue program that should help the country back on its feet. After ten years of sanctions and the 1999 war, the energy economy was badly damaged and the Serbs' standard of living was very low. Substantial help was given for electricity imports and the municipal heating system to keep the Serbs warm over the winter. Further measures were the distribution of medicine, vegetable oil and sugar.

Montenegro

In Montenegro , the EAR is providing € 121 million of which 89% has already been used. In 2006 the European Union made € 18 million available. Montenegro has been working with the EU since 1998 under the " Obnova Program ".

Year 2006

In 2006 the EAR will concentrate on the reintegration of refugees in Montenegro . This program will also strengthen civil society in social and economic reforms, increase administrative capacities, bring state institutions up to EU standards, create an attractive environment for foreign investors and strengthen the economy.

Year 2005

In 2005 , improving government effectiveness was a key issue in the EAR program. The projects focused on expanding administrative capacity, developing human capital and promoting European integration.

Concrete measures in 2005

  • Public administration reform: Help with legislation to establish a career system for public performance. It also helped with EU integration and international economic relations in the areas of communication and development of EC programs.
  • Justice: Assistance to the Justice Education Center under the supervision of the Supreme Court to ensure financial and legal independence.
  • Energy: Help in breaking up the EPCG energy company and privatizing the energy sector.
  • Agricultural development: help develop an agriculture and fisheries strategy.
  • Refugees: Help for the commissariat for refugees to give the commissariat the opportunity to look after refugees.
  • Equal rights for refugees: Support for a law that provides for rehabilitation and work for refugees.

Year 2004

In 2004 a program was started to support Montenegro in modernization. The focus was on further training for civil servants and general professional training. Attempts were also made to bring the Montenegrin administration up to the EU level.

Years 2002 and 2003

In 2003, the aim of the EAR program was to strengthen civil society by encouraging people to be more interested in the interests of the state and to pursue government activities. In addition, the border management has been strengthened and attention has been paid to environmental protection. In 2002, the EAR funded a study on the feasibility of developing the Montenegrin economy and obtained Montenegro loans from international financial institutions for investment.

Year 2001

In March 2001 the European Union opened the EAR center in Podgorica . The EAR was the first European agency in Montenegro. The EAR took over projects that previously took place under the " Obnova umbrella ", which started in 1998. These projects focused on development at the municipal level, transport and infrastructure, the formation of state institutions and professional training.

Kosovo

The EAR is making a total of € 1.1 billion available for various projects in Kosovo . 93%, over a billion euros have already been used. In 2005 the European Union provided € 77 million.

Year 2006

In 2006 the EAR continued to advise the government on EU integration, uniform strategies and policies. It also promotes the economic situation to create jobs, for the benefit of all groups in Kosovo, including the Serbs. The EAR tries to promote the reintegration of minorities in order to create a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo.

Year 2005

  • Creation of administrative capacities: Support of the Kosovar institutions to enable technical progress and reforms.
  • UN Standards for Kosovo: The EAR continues to work with local authorities and the government to improve standards in Kosovo. The EAR is spending € 160 million on this.
  • Repatriation of minorities: help with the return of 220 Serbian and Roma families. Reconstruction of their houses and infrastructure.
  • Access to justice: EAR helped around 31,000 people with civil and administrative law issues.
  • Public Budget: Aid to the Ministry of Finance and Economy to create the first public investment program that includes 1500 projects.
  • Creating jobs: Supporting the economy through assistance with expansion and development of private companies.
  • Energy: Assistance for the energy industry in order to be able to participate in the Energy Community South East Europe.

Year 2004

In 2004 the program focused on attracting international investment while ensuring good governance and legal certainty. Education and training have been important components of the program in all sectors of the economy.

Year 2003

In 2003, the EAR's priorities were administrative reform at the national and local levels, as well as strengthening the police force and the judiciary. Economic recovery and the fight against unemployment were other key issues, along with environmental issues and support for civil society .

Years 2000 to 2002

At the beginning of 2000 the EAR took over the tasks of the Task Force for the Reconstruction of Kosovo. At that time, the regional headquarters of the EAR was set up in Pristina . The EAR focused on restoring infrastructure such as energy, housing, transportation and water supply. It also supported private companies, agriculture, health care and the development of government institutions. In 2002 the emphasis slowly shifted towards the expansion of state institutions and the development of the market economy. The restoration of the infrastructure continued, albeit at a lower level.

Macedonia

In Macedonia , the EAR is running a program worth 293 million euros. 89% have already been used. In 2005 a total of € 31 million was made available. In addition, the EAR continues to manage € 150 million that the European Union made available before 2001.

Year 2006

In 2006, the EAR continued to assist the Macedonian government in implementing political and economic reforms. A key process is the decentralization process and in the course of this the EAR helps local authorities to take on their new responsibilities. Another goal is to increase the proportion of minorities in public institutions such as the police. Other projects focus on strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises in order to create new jobs. Likewise, great attention is paid to vocational training, judicial reform and strengthening civil society .

Year 2005

Projects carried out in 2005:

  • Decentralization: Crucial help was given in transforming the system from a centralized to a decentralized one. The regional administration was strengthened by giving it legislative power. 41 regional infrastructure projects were also launched. In addition, a € 500,000 community prize was awarded to the three communities that had the best plan for a long-term improvement in living conditions in the community.
  • Economic reform: assistance was given in setting up a business support agency.
  • Police reforms: A police reform strategy was drawn up together with the MoI. Assistance was also given in founding the new police academy.
  • Judicial system: Help in founding the training institute for judges and public prosecutors and establishing an information system for all 28 courts in order to reduce the number of cases that have not yet been dealt with.
  • Jobs: Help with the development and implementation of a National Action Plan that will provide better training and work equipment.
  • Civil society: Aid to international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that promote inter-ethnic relationships.

Year 2004

In 2004, democracy and respect for the law, economic and social development, justice and home affairs, and environment and resources were the main points of the program. The EAR also promoted the education of minorities to give them better job opportunities in public institutions. At the same time, the proportion of minorities in public institutions is to increase.

Year 2003

In 2003 the EAR focused on economic and social development. This included local infrastructure projects, vocational education and training and the creation of human capital in companies. In the areas of justice and domestic policy, the administration and border controls were strengthened by setting up a police academy and developing a plan for immigration and asylum .

Year 2002

In 2002, the EAR provided support to the judiciary and home affairs sector. This includes a reform of the legislature and including a reform of border surveillance. The fight against crime and immigration and asylum was also on the to-do list. The strengthening of the local administration, the inter-ethnic dialogue and the private and financial sectors have also been strengthened.

Year 2001

In December 2001, after the European Council decided on the operation, the EAR started working in Macedonia and opened the regional center in Skopje . The reason was the reconstruction of destroyed areas.

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