ZAGREB, Feb 24 (Hina) - Croatia will implement all European Union projects related to the CARDS (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation) programme on its own, and a memorandum to that effect, which is
rare among non-EU members, will be signed in Zagreb on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, Feb 24 (Hina) - Croatia will implement all European Union
projects related to the CARDS (Community Assistance for
Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation) programme on its
own, and a memorandum to that effect, which is rare among non-EU
members, will be signed in Zagreb on Tuesday. #L#
The memorandum, to be signed between the European Commission and
the Croatian government, establishes a central financing and
contracting unit (CFCU) at the Finance Ministry's Administration
for the Financing of EU Assistance Programmes and Projects, which
is headed by Assistance Minister Tihomir Domazet.
Domazet told Hina the unit would implement programmes and projects
in a de-centralised way, making independent decisions about the
bidding procedure, the conclusion of contracts and payment
regarding EU-financed programmes. CARDS assistance is not realised
through direct allocation of funds, but by designing projects on
the basis of which funds are granted. All EU countries, candidates
and South-East European countries can bid for supplier contracts in
these projects.
According to EU procedure, the unit will launch seven projects in
Croatia, worth 7.5 million euros. Two projects concern the
agriculture ministry, while one each concerns the ministries of
education, science, health and economy, and employment, Domazet
said.
It is rare for a country which is not a member nor an official EU
candidate to be given such authorities, said Domazet, adding that
this was the first important step in the development of Croatia-EU
relations following Croatia's submitting an application for EU
membership last week.
An agreement on the financing of the CARDS programme for Croatia in
2002, worth 59 million euros, was signed in Zagreb at the end of last
year. CARDS is an EU instrument of technical and financial
assistance in reconstruction, development and stabilisation,
intended for five countries of the Stabilisation and Association
Process - Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Albania and Yugoslavia.
Except for Croatia, the other four countries are not independent in
conducting procedure regarding the CARDS programme and that is done
on their behalf by the EU office in Salonika, Domazet said.
(hina) rml