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Hungarian – Croatian Cross-Border Co-operation programmes since 2004 J. Peter Fischer DG Regional Policy, INTERREG European Commission Brussels , 6 June 2007. 2004 – 2006 Neighbourhood programme Slovenia – Hungary – Croatia EU contribution: EUR 20.5 million 2007 – 2013
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Hungarian – Croatian Cross-Border Co-operation programmes since 2004 J. Peter FischerDG Regional Policy, INTERREGEuropean Commission Brussels, 6 June 2007
2004 – 2006 Neighbourhood programmeSlovenia – Hungary – Croatia EU contribution: EUR 20.5 million 2007 – 2013 Hungary – Croatia IPA Cross-Border Co-operation EU contribution: EUR 52.4 million
EUco-financing for Croatia in 2004 – CARDS programme; for 2005-2006: Phare programme; =>different contracting requirements Major Step forward for 2007-13: IPA CBC programme HU – HR will use the socalled “integrated” Structural Funds approach; joint structures, joint projects, single contract
SI – HU – HR programme: Great interest in region; e.g. more than 300 applications received for first Call for Proposals In total about 150 Projects have been selected and are being implemented, of which about 25% are HU-HR projects Nearly all funding has been committed and EUR 17.8 million contracted
Restoration works along the Dráva river: Removing obstacles jeopardising the navigation of the river, improve river infrastructure and establish conditions for safe water transport Training for HU and HR SME to compete in international tenders of the EU “Three rivers” tourist bicycle path (Mura-Drava-Danube) Project Examples
The OP was prepared in partnership by both sides 6 Programming Task Force meetings since June 2006 Open, serious discussions, involving a large number of relevant actors led to a high quality OP Programming exercise for 2007-2013
2007-13 programme approach, 3 priorities: Sustainable Environment and Tourism Co-operative Economy and Intercommunity Human Resources Development Technical Assistance
Main change compared to Neighbourhood programme: Lead partner principle means only one body responsible for contracting - (Hungarian) Managing Authority - and only one contractual relationship with the lead partner of a project (from H or HR).
June: Formal submission of programme document to the Commission July: IPA regulation adopted September: finalisation of programme negotiation with Commission December: Commission decision adopting programme Next steps ahead
Now: To allow implementation as of January 2008, contract forms, calls for proposals, management and control system report, etc. should already be prepared, as well as a convention or memorandum of Understanding covering: Who, what, why, when! Management structures Procedures Financial management and liabilities Audit arrangements Efforts to be combined with effective publicity exercise, information events, partner search forums, etc. Next steps ahead (2)
Experience of Hungarian – Croatian CBC to date has been positive, despite limited funding More funding for 2007-13 HU-HR border Important to build on the lessons learned in the last few years (in Neighbourhood Programme) CBC also a good exercise for co-operation between national, regional and local level (within countries) Conclusion
Commission is very pleased with positive and constructive approach that Croatia and Hungary have demonstrated towards cross-border and transnational co-operation IPA cross-border programmes offer Croatia an important opportunity to benefit from Structural Fund-style programming before accession and to prepare the necessary implementation systems Croatia’s involvement in other cross-border programmes offers the opportunity to have an especially pro-active role in wider regional co-operation Conclusion (2)
