ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, Dec 16 (Hina) - The European Commission on Tuesday suggested that companies from five south-east European countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association process be enabled to take part in projects financed
from three pre-accession EU programmes.
ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, Dec 16 (Hina) - The European Commission on Tuesday
suggested that companies from five south-east European countries
covered by the Stabilisation and Association process be enabled to
take part in projects financed from three pre-accession EU
programmes. #L#
"This would allow companies in the Western Balkans to establish
links with economic operators in the EU Member States, the
accession countries and candidate countries, to compete alongside
European contractors for work under these programmes and
potentially, to win more business," said a statement issued by the
European Commission.
Companies from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro,
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania would thus be
able to participate in tenders within the framework of three pre-
accession EU programmes -- PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD.
The proposal will be submitted to the EU Council of Ministers. The
Commission expect that companies from the Western Balkan will be
able to participate in tenders in the first half of 2004.
The purpose of this initiate is to prepare the Western Balkan
countries for future accession by familiarising them with the EU's
policies, working methods and tendering procedures, the European
Commission said in a statement.
(hina) it sb