The main objective of the project is to advance cross-border mobility and free movement of labour in Europe and its purpose is to support the Croatian Employment Service in developing and implementing cross-border EURES projects and promote cross-border mobility and cooperation. The project is worth EUR 200,000, of which EUR 180,000 comes from the EU, the Croatian Employment Service said in a statement.
"Cross-border cooperation is exceptionally beneficial as the EURES network was founded particularly to counter mobility challenges. Hungary has a lot of experience in cross-border cooperation and ahead of us is an entirely new story and I am confident that upon the completion of this project, the Drava River will cease to exist as a border but it will only be a river for the passing of people and commodities. All twinning projects, including this one, are aimed at creating interpersonal relations and communication which will last even after the projects are completed, it will grow stronger and the European Commission will continue to support it," said Branko Baricevic, head of the European Union Representation in Croatia.
"Cross-border mobility and cooperation are particularly important in the context of daily or weekly migrants living in one EU member state and working in another, and workers and employers are faced with numerous issues from different national practices and legal systems," Croatian Labour Minister Mirando Mrsic said.
The project is implemented as part of the IPA programme, Component I for assistance in transition and building of institutions and will last until December 2015.
EURES (European Employment Services) is much more than job mobility. It is a cooperation network designed to facilitate the free movement of workers within the European Economic Area; Switzerland is also involved. Partners in the network include public employment services, trade unions and employers' organisations. The network is coordinated by the European Commission.
The main objectives of EURES are: to inform, guide and provide advice to potentially mobile workers on job opportunities as well as living and working conditions in the European Economic Area; to assist employers wishing to recruit workers from other countries; and to provide advice and guidance to workers and employers in cross-border regions.