Instrument of Pre-Accession (IPA) IPA State of Play Monique Raquet, DG EMPL, Unit A,ESF Coordination European Commission 13 March 2009

The main objectives of IPA A coordinated instrument for candidate countries and potential candidate countries to help the countries: to comply with the acquis communautaire and to prepare for the management of structural Funds through a learning by doing approach.

IPA consists of five components For potential candidate countries IPA is limited to two components: Component I Transition Assistance and Institution building Component II Cross-Border Cooperation For candidate countries all five components are open: Besides Component I and II Component III Regional Development Component IV Human Resources Development Component V Rural Development.

Component IV Human Resources Development First time that DG EMPL has an instrument to prepare candidate countries for the European Social Fund (ESF). Concerns Croatia, former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) and Turkey. Before implementation can start: Commission Decision adopting the Human Resources Development Operational Programme Commission Decision Conferral of Decentralised Management Powers Conclusion and entry into force of a Financing Agreement

Progress made in general 7 December 2007 the Commission adopted for the 3 candidate countries the OP with a financing decision covering 2007-2009. Model Financing Agreement for Components III and IV was adopted on 16 july 2008. This Model Financing Agreement was clarified to candidate countries on 17 July 2008 durng a joint seminar by DG REGIO and DG EMPL.

Progress made in Croatia In April 2008 Croatia submitted the accreditation package for conferral of decentralised management with ex-ante controls for Components I,III and IV. In September 2008 the Commission Audit Authorities gave their favourable opinion and recommendations which were accepted by Croatian Authorities. 1 December 2008 the Commission Decision conferring decentralised management powers was adopted. 4 December 2009 the Financing Agreement for Component IV with Croatia was signed on behalf of the Commission.

Progress made in Croatia Financing Agreement was ratified by Croatia end of February 2009. This month, the Commission will disburse to the Croation National Fund the pre-financing payment of 30% of the 2007-2009 global budget. The Sectoral Monitoring Committee for Croatia is in place since December 2007 and since then has met on two occasions: Rules of procedure, AIR 2007 and selection criteria have been discussed and agreed upon.

Progress made by fYRoM Accreditation package for Component IV is expected this month. Decision for conferral of management is estimated to be adopted by the end of the year. Sectoral Monitoring Committee is in place since February 2008 and has met since then on two occasions: Rules of procedure, Presentation by the Commission of the Financing Agreement Component IV.

Progress made by Turkey Accreditation package for conferral of mangement was submitted in October 2008. Commission Audit will take place by the end of March 2009. Decision for conferral by the Commission to be expected at the latest in September 2009. Sectoral Monitoring Committee is in place: Rules of procedure, Presentation of operations by MA. 3 calls for proposals have already been launched.

Events in the near future Montenegro applied for the status of candidate country by the end of 2008. It is expected that also Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia will follow this year. After the European elections the Commission will decide on those applications. Possibility of having 3  to 4 new candidate countries beginning 2011.

Conclusions It has taken 1 year to negotiate and adopt the Operational programme and it seems that it takes at least two years to set up the operating structures. Therefore there is now an agreement with DG ELARG to start already the preparations for potential candidate countries for Component III, IV and V in view of their transition towards the status of candidate country. These preparations are financed on Component I. On 24 March 2009 in Brussels potential candidate countries have been invited for a seminar Introduction to Components III and IV.

IPA more info More Info http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/e50020.html Thank you for your attention.