Overview

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia obtained a status of a candidate country for accession to the EU on 15 December 2005. Along with the status, the country started to adapt her priorities for the countrys preparations toward further integration in the EU, though the date for starting the accession negotiation is not cleared yet.

As a candidate country before its accession to the EU, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is entitled for the pre-accession assistance, through the so-called Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). As an official candidate country, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will be eligible for all five components of the IPA. In this view the country prepared a Multi-annual Indicative Planning Document (MIPD) that will ensure that both, the country and the EU development priorities and policies, are respected.

Lessons Learned

Since 1996 until 1999, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia benefits from the cooperation with Greece in the context of Phare CBC (which became a "Neighbourhood Programme" in 2004–2006), and from 1997 until 1999 it benefits in the cooperation with Bulgaria and Albania in the context of Phare Multi-country CREDO initiative. The allocation of Phare 1996-1999 fund was 37 million euros. The CREDO was multi-country grand scheme for cross-border cooperation projects with the objective of promoting good neighbourly relations, social stability and economic development in the border regions by providing funding for projects which yield tangible benefits to both sides of the border.
After the Thessalonica Summit in 2003, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has received additional funds for CBC through the CARDS Regional Programme and they are as follows (yearly rates):

• Cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Greece 1.8 million euros
• Cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Bulgaria 1 million euros
• INTERREG III B CADSES 0.2 million euros

Since 2004 the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia benefits with Bulgaria in the context of the PHARE/CARDS Neighbourhood Programme where in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the eligible were the regions located in North-East, South East and East part of the country, covering the 21 municipality. The overall border line length is 165 km with 3 border crossings operating currently.
In addition, since 2004, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia received CARDS support for participating in the INTERREG III B CADSES transnational programme. Two projects have been approved and contracts are to be signed until the end of 2006, while one is still on the reserve list.
Neighbourhood Programmes for the years 2004 to 2006 have focussed on: Sustainable Spatial Development for the cross-border region; promotion of cross-border cooperation between public institutions and businesses; creation of viable cross–border contacts at different levels and sectors of activity through “people to people” type actions; cross–border infrastructures; Economic Development and Employment and Quality of Life/Environment.

The way of future - IPA CBC 2007-2009

Under IPA CBC component, the cooperation with Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Serbia (including Kosovo under the UNSCR 1244) will be covered.
Main priorities and objectives in CBC with Greece are: to reduce the gap of economic development between border regions and other parts of the country by creating additional job opportunities due to cooperation of economic actors; to enhance the tourism potential of the border region and to increase the number of foreign visitors, as well as to improve environmental standards; to intensify contacts at local and regional level among citizens inside and outside EU.

Main priorities and objectives in CBC with Bulgaria are: to improve and extend existing or create new links among local/regional administrations, associations, NGOs or enterprises; to enhance economic and social development of eligible border regions; to improve tourism and transport infrastructure with a view to increase the conditions for the development of tourism and the protection of the environment; to intensify contacts at local level among citizens from inside and outside the EU.

The CBC with Neighbouring Western Balkan countries will be decided after bilateral negotiations, while initial steps were done at the end of December 2006.

The border line with Albania is 151km with one full time working crossing point Kafasan, and one working half time and with limited traffic of people and goods at Debar-Peskopeja.
After the finalization of the SWOT analysis, the operating structures will clearly define the priorities for CBC programme.

The CBIB project will support establishment of the operating structures (including Joint Technical Secretariat and Joint Monitoring Committee), preparation of the cross-border programme for each border and establishing of the project pipeline.