ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC) and the Croatian government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding which makes it possible for Croatia to independently manage projects covered by the CARDS programmes in
the future.
ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC) and the
Croatian government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of
understanding which makes it possible for Croatia to independently
manage projects covered by the CARDS programmes in the future. #L#
The memorandum, signed by the EC representative to Croatia,
Ambassador Jacques Wunenburger, and Finance Minister Mato
Crkvenac, is aimed at establishing a Central Finance and
Contracting Unit (CFCU) within the Croatian finance ministry and
the administration for the financing of programs and projects of
the European Union assistance.
Such a document is seldom signed by EU non-members, and it gives
authorities for carrying out CARDS programmes on a de-centralised
basis but also envisages the obligation to be successful in the
implementation of such programmes, the Croatian minister said.
Ambassador Wunenburger said the memorandum provided for the
transfer of a part of the European Commission's responsibilities to
the Croatian finance ministry.
At the start, the document covers seven projects for 2002, worth 7.5
million euros, and this makes up for 12 percent of this year's CARDS
programme for Croatia, he explained.
The CFCU will be authorised for the implementation of programmes
and projects in the context of the decentralisation process, and is
responsible for proceedings in advertisements and invitation for
bids, the conclusion of contracts and payments according to
projects financed by the EU.
It is rare that a country which is neither an EU member nor an
official candidate, is given such authorities, said Tihomir
Domazet, who is Crkvenac's assistant in charge of cooperation with
the EU.
Domazet added that this was the first concrete step in the
development of the Croatia-EU ties after Zagreb applied for the EU
membership last week.
The agreement for the financing programmes of CARDS (Community
Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation) for
Croatia in 2002 is worth 59 million euros. The agreement, which is
an instrument of the EU financial assistance for five countries
covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process, was signed in
late 2002 in Zagreb.
(hina) ms