Publisher: Centar za Evropske Politike CEP

TOWARDS A MORE FINANCIALLY ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT IN SERBIA: Implementation of Recommendations and Measures of the Serbian State Audit Institution

TOWARDS A MORE FINANCIALLY ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT IN SERBIA: Implementation of Recommendations and Measures of the Serbian State Audit Institution

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: state-audit; government-audit; accountability of government;

This analysis was produced in the framework of the project “Determining conditions for the improvement of work of the State Audit Institution in Serbia,“ jointly implemented by the European Project Center and European Policy Centre, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Judicial Reform and Government Accountability project (JRGA). This analysis, and the research conducted for its purposes, has the goal to determine how auditees act upon SAI's recommendations, how they perceive external audit system in Serbia and how important it is to insist on the external follow-up on implementation of SAI's recommendations and measures in the future. Engagement of civil society organisations so far in the follow-up work on implementation of SAI's measures is also discussed.In correspondence with existing comparative experience (best practices) and certain international guidelines, it strives to provide recommendations for future role these organisations can have in the establishment of financially accountable government in Serbia. This analysis also places the external audit system into a broader context of reform and integration processes in Serbia, in order to highlight the importance of this area and its correlation with other reform areas.

CIVIL SOCIETY AND CITIZENS IN THE EXTERNAL AUDIT PROCESS. Comparative Study of International Practices with Recommendations for Serbia

CIVIL SOCIETY AND CITIZENS IN THE EXTERNAL AUDIT PROCESS. Comparative Study of International Practices with Recommendations for Serbia

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: state-audit; civil society;

The aim of this Study is to provide the most appropriate solutions to the State Audit Institution of Serbia for the inclusion of citizens in the external audit process as well as to provide sustainable and more institutionalized forms of cooperation with civil society organizations. The Study adopts a comparative approach in its thorough analysis of European and non-European experiences and existing domestic institutional practices. A qualitative methodology was adopted in the form of a combination of primary and secondary sources, i.e. data collection was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews, electronic questionnaires, and the analysis of legislative and institutional frameworks and practices in regards to citizens’ cooperation in external audit process and cooperation of supreme audit institutions with the civil society. The methods applied proved as adequate in terms of analyzing comparative practices in the chosen systems and for getting a broader insight of the examples in the areas of transparency and government accountability, and more specifically in external audit, across a variety of states.

HOW TO GET RESULTS IN PUBLIC POLICIES? Monitoring & Evaluation with the Evidence Supplied by the Civil Society

HOW TO GET RESULTS IN PUBLIC POLICIES? Monitoring & Evaluation with the Evidence Supplied by the Civil Society

Author(s): Sena Marić,Jelena Žarković Rakić,Ana Aleksić Mirić / Language(s): English

Keywords: monitoring politics; political decision-making; civil socity;

The aim of this study is to promote a discussion on possible models of institutionalising policy monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in Serbia, as well as on the means available to include civil society organizations (CSOs). In the context of democratic consolidation and economic transition in Serbia, mechanisms and practices of holding policy makers accountable are gradually being established. Moreover, monitoring the implementation of reforms and evaluating their effects are particularly important in the accession negotiations with the European Union (EU), since the effective and sustainable implementation of the acquis will essentially determine the very dynamics of the negotiations, and eventually Serbia’s membership in the EU. However, in Serbia there are no sufficiently developed structures and procedures that would allow a permanent monitoring of results. Additionally, there are no well-established modes of cooperation between the governmental and non-government sector in that regard, while examples of good practices remain rudimentary.

POLICYMAKING IN THE WESTERN BALKANS. Creating Demand for Evidence beyond EU Conditionality

POLICYMAKING IN THE WESTERN BALKANS. Creating Demand for Evidence beyond EU Conditionality

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Western Balkans EU accession; conditionality;

The six countries of the Western Balkans, all EU-membership aspirants, find themselves in different stages of the EU integration process. The characteristics of the EU’s enlargement approach towards the Western Balkans requires these countries to deliver concrete, tangible, and sustainable results before becoming members. In the previous enlargement rounds, the EU has never deployed such complex mechanisms to assess and monitor the quality of implemented reforms. This situation is new both for the EU Commission and the candidate countries,1 implying that the EU is also learning from its experiences and mistakes and innovating its methodology for assessing the results made by the candidate countries. The Western Balkan countries themselves are investing in developing new tools and mechanisms to report and monitor the achieved results. More precisely, improvements are made with regards to data collection and analysis methods, the quality and reliability of data, and more constructive engagement with civil society stakeholders.

PROTECTED AREAS OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN VOJVODINA. Protection status and financing in the context of European integration

ЗАШТИЋЕНА ПОДРУЧЈА ПРИРОДЕ У АП ВОЈВОДИНИ. Статус заштите и финансирање у контексту европских интеграција

Author(s): Dejan Maksimović,Biljana Panjković,Stefan Šipka / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Vojvodina; ecology vs. agriculture;

CIVIL SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT: Participatory Policy Formulation in Serbia

CIVIL SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT: Participatory Policy Formulation in Serbia

Author(s): Amanda Orza / Language(s): English

Keywords: civil society; monitoring governance;European Commission;EU integration process;

Up to this point, the issue of a systemic approach to civil society participation in the process of policy making in Serbia has not been resolved. In its last Progress Report, the European Commission notes that "civil society is a crucial component of any democratic system and should be recognized and treated as such by the state institutions". Notably, the EU has leverage to emphasize civil society participation mainly in relation to the accession process. Beyond this sphere, the resources and expertise of the civil society should be recognized and taken advantage of by the government and other public institutions. This is supported by the increasing complexity of the course of reforms, the challenge of legislative harmonization, and the lack of human capacity in the public administration as part of the EU integration process. In this regard, substantial effort needs to be invested to assure an evidence basis from the beginning of the planning of a policy, which is the basis of a sound and comprehensive reform. // This policy paper first elaborates on the policy making landscape in terms of its lack of transparency, which is deemed to be the precondition of a planned, and predictable participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in policy making. Secondly, despite the lack of policy formulation as a discrete stage of policy making in the Serbian system, its elements are analyzed across other formally prescribed documents in order to pinpoint venues that offer possibilities for CSO participation. Next, the current informal and formal mechanisms of CSO participation are assessed. Finally, a brief reflection on the activities of the CS Office is given as it is the main impetus of change in this regard. Whereas the text focuses on the Serbian case, the recommendations are inspired by comparative experiences of Croatia and Montenegro.

AGRICULTURAL QUALITY SCHEMES AT EU LEVEL. Potential Benefits of Protection of Serbian Products in the context of Negotiations with the EU

AGRO-PREHRAMBENE ŠEME KVALITETA NA NIVOU EU. Potencijalne koristi zaštite srpskih proizvoda u kontekstu pregovora sa EU

Author(s): Ksenija Simović / Language(s): Serbian

Keywords: Serbian Agriculture; agricultural exports from Serbia;

Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU

Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU

Author(s): Miloš Pavković,Strahinja Subotić / Language(s): English

Judging by the Presidency slogan, which is Europe as a Task: Rethink, rebuild, repower, it can be anticipated that rethinking European geopolitical position, rebuilding Ukraine after the bloody war, and repowering the Euro-pean defence structures will be the focus of the Coun-cil’s work in the upcoming six months and longer. While some Council presidencies aim to finalise long-running legislative priorities, Prague largely sees its job over the next six months as a crisis responder. Czechia will have its hands full forging common positions on finan-cial and political support for Ukraine, and reducing the bloc’s continued reliance on Russian energy. Having in mind the presidency programme and volatile geopo-litical developments, this paper also aims to uncover whether the Council will have enough time and energy to dedicate to the enlargement policy and the Western Balkans region under the Czech baton.

The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans

The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans

Author(s): Sava Mitrović / Language(s): English

Keywords: environment in Western Balkans;

By signing the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in October 2020, leaders from the region rec­ognised the importance of the European Green Deal (EGD), which is the EU's new growth strategy towards a modern, cli­mate neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. In order for this acknowledgement to materialise in practice, the leaders of the Western Balkans (WB) also agreed to incorporate elements of the EGD into all interrelated sectors and policies, based on the European Commission's Guidelines, with the com­mon goal of developing carbon-neutral and sustainable econo­mies in the region. Given that it has been a year and a half since the Sofia Summit, it is warranted to break down the complex no­tion of the Green Agenda and analyse whether and to what ex­tent it has the potential to truly induce changes in the Western Balkans. Therefore, the paper presents key issues identified in the five pillars of the Green Agenda, examines certain cross-cut­ting aspects of the green transition that could be essential for achieving a climate-neutral Western Balkans, and provides con­crete measures and proposals for effective Green Agenda imple­mentation.

The French Presidency of Council of the EU

The French Presidency of Council of the EU

Author(s): Miloš Pavković / Language(s): English

In January 2022, France – one of the founding member states of the EU – embarked on 6-months long journey for the second time since the Lisbon Treaty adoption, and the 13th time in total. French Presidency comes at a time of a power vacuum in the EU, particularly after the UK had left the EU and in the aftermath of the retirement of the long-serving German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Moreover, the Ukrainian-Russian border is facing increasing tensions, while the Conference on the Future of Europe (CotFoE) is expected to end with concrete results. As Europe is faced with times of change, expectations are high from France that it will take the lead and steer the Union in the right direction in the upcoming six months. Having in mind the Presidency slogan - Recovery (relance), Power (puissance), and Belonging (appartenance) – this Insight analyses how France will navigate Europe in this increasingly complex context.

Serbia and Civilian CSDP Missions

Serbia and Civilian CSDP Missions

Author(s): Kristina Velimirović / Language(s): English

Keywords: CSDP-missions;

the aim of this INSIGHT-issue is to examine the prospects for closer cooperation between third countries and the EU when it comes to civilian CSDP missions, while shining a spotlight on the untapped potential within Serbia’s accession negotiations and Chapter 31. At the same time, this Insight provides a critical review of the existing legislative framework in Serbia and in this regard, analyses the latest initiative on drafting a law that should regulate the given topic in the future. Finally, this Insight lays out further recommendations for the improvement of the Draft Law on the participation of civilians in peacekeeping missions and argues Serbia finally needs to break the deadlock and take part in the EU civilian missions.

The Slovenian Presidency of Council of the EU

The Slovenian Presidency of Council of the EU

Author(s): Strahinja Subotić / Language(s): English

Keywords: pandemic European Union;

After Portugal, the presidency of the Council of the EU moved from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkan Peninsula as Slovenia took it over on 1 July 2021. Its presiding over the Union will round off the work of its co-members of the Trio, Germany and Portugal, whose key task was to better facilitate efforts to fght the COVID-19 pandemic. As both Germany and Portugal have achieved positive results in putting Europe back on its feet, Slovenia’s presidency will concentrate on setting the ground for the development of a post-pandemic Europe. However, it does not mean that Slovenia will have an easy job; on the contrary, there are many pressing issues that the Council will need to deal with. This Insight aims to uncover what lies behind its motto “Together. Resilient. Europe”, while analysing how its presidency will shape the EU, as well as the enlargement policy, inthe second half of 2021.

Common Regional Market and European Perspective

Common Regional Market and European Perspective

Author(s): Dušan Ristić / Language(s): English

Keywords: Western Balkans development;

At the latest Berlin Process Summit, held on November 10, 2020 in Sofia, the Western Balkan leaders (WB6) agreed upon an ambitious plan to create a Common Regional Market (CRM). Aside from the Political Declaration reiterating their commitment to intensified regional cooperation, WB6 adopted a detailed Action Plan sketching out concrete steps along the way. The initiative was heralded by the European Commission as a stepping stone towards EU membershipand its complementarity with the long-awaited Economic and Investment Plan was praised. Taking into account that the initiative has become a flagship project of the Berlin Process, and in the light of the upcoming Summit to be organised in Berlin by the outgoing Chancellor Merkel, it is worthwhile analysing the state of this potentially very fruitful endeavour. Therefore, this Insight aims at breaking down the complex notion of a Common Regional Market and the envisaged benefits of the initiative, whilst analysing the compliance with the adopted Action Plan, bearing in mind the European perspective of the region.

The German Presidency of the Council of the EU

The German Presidency of the Council of the EU

Author(s): Sena Marić,Strahinja Subotić,Aleksa Ilić / Language(s): English

The German Presidency of the Council of the EU takes place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the EU, along with the rest of the world, needs quick and bold action to adapt to the resulting tectonic changes. These circumstances have pushed Germany to lead the Union across the Rubicon in regard to the future of the European project. In fact, Germany's ambitious Presidency program reflects its renewed strategic outlook by instigating the EU's recovery and ushering a path towards further integration. For this reason, the decisions made during Germany's term have the potential to become a critical juncture for Union's further evolution. With the aim of uncovering what may lie ahead for Europe in the following period, this Insight examines Germany's long-term vision for Europe, analysing its Presidency program and scrutinising Germany's positions on the pressing questions of the EU recovery fund and Multi-annual Financial Framework, climate and the environment, rule of law conditionality, and EU common foreign and security policy. At the same time, it analyses the place of the Western Balkans in such a complex network of priorities.

Finland's Presidency of the Council of the EU

Finland's Presidency of the Council of the EU

Author(s): Strahinja Subotić / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU and Western Balkans;

While the Council of the EU has been headed by the countries from the Western Balkan's neighbourhood (Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania) in the last 18 months, the time has come for Finland - a country geographically distant from the region - to take over. The saying “out of sight, out of mind” implies that things can be dismissed as unimportant when not in direct view of the subject. Will this be the case with Finland vis-a-vis the Western Balkans? What can the countries of the region do to get closer to Finland? What are Finland's priorities? This CEP Insight hopes to provide answers to thesequestions.

Slovak Presidency of the EU

Slovak Presidency of the EU

Author(s): Sena Marić,Katarina Tadić,Dušan Protić / Language(s): English

Keywords: migration-policy,

From 1 July to 31 December 2016, Slovakia holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Slovak Presidency begins at a time when the Union faces unprecedented challenges: the outcome of the UK Referendum necessitates discussion regarding the future of the Union; the migration crisis raises questions about the functioning of the Schengen area; the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels have exposed weaknesses in the area of internal security; the consequences of the economic and financial crisis are still rippling through the economies of the EU Member States. Nevertheless, the Slovak Presidency puts forward a positive agenda which seeks to promote solutions that take into account the long-term perspective of the EU. This INSIGHT-issue explores the programme of the Slovak Presidency in the light of Brexit, assessing its immediate ramification for the enlargement process. The insight also sets forth a comprehensive overview of what to expect in the next six months within other priority areas, particularly regarding the market and migration policy.

Brexit or Not? What Consequences for the Enlargement Policy?

Brexit or Not? What Consequences for the Enlargement Policy?

Author(s): Milena Lazarević,Sena Marić / Language(s): English

Keywords: Brexit vs enlargement;

In the early hours of the 24th of June, the results of the British EU membership referendum were announced. Against the betting odds, against the predictions of market actors, and against the last minute polls, with a turnout of 72.2% and with a margin of 3.8%, the voters decided that the UK should leave the European Union. This unprecedented event has ushered in a period of political and economic turmoil in the UK: David Cameron resigned and the Conservative Party will hold a leadership election; the Labour shadow ministers resigned en masse and the Labour MPs held a no confidence vote against their leader; the second Scottish independence referendum is on the agenda; Northern Ireland’s status is under question; economic forecasts are grim. Economic spillover effects are expected across the EU, its neighbours and beyond, and potential political instability within the EU looms ... The Brexit referendum has left the continent with a number of uncertainties. This issue of INSIGHT develops three possible outcomes of the current situation, based on which it discusses potential consequences of the leave vote on the EU enlargement policy. It argues that as long as the Brexit issue remains unresolved, the EU enlargement policy will suffer.

Lessons Not Learned. Commentary on the EU's 17-points Plan and its Alternative

Lessons Not Learned. Commentary on the EU's 17-points Plan and its Alternative

Author(s): Katarina Kosmina,Lana Radovanović / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU migration policy; refugees;

As the massive refugee influx continues to grow, the European Union is attempting and failing to find effective solutions. The most recent such attempt was the meeting in Brussels at the end of October, which gathered leaders from Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. The result of this meeting was the 17-points plan of action (the Plan). This CEP Insight deconstructs the Plan and provides critique of its most controversial measures. Furthermore, the Temporary Protection Directive is presented, explained, and advocated for as an alternative solution to the current crisis. Finally, the article considers the repercussions of the Plan in the context of Serbia.

Handling the Refugee Influx. Between the Lwas, Borders and Political Discourses

Handling the Refugee Influx. Between the Lwas, Borders and Political Discourses

Author(s): Lana Radovanović,Katarina Kosmina / Language(s): English

Keywords: refugees;

When speaking about the refugees currently arriving in Europe, it is rather difficult to focus on one relevant dimension: the legal framework, border policy, and political discourse - all converge to affect both how we speak and act on the issues arising from the mass influx of refugees on the territory of the European Union. This article attempts to deconstruct the EU’s response to the current ‘crisis’ and outline its relevance for Serbia’s asylum strategy. The focus will be on relevant EU legislation, such as the Dublin III Regulation, and ensuing issues, as well as the response taken regarding border policies and political discourse.

Better Regulation Package: Regulating More or Regulating Less?

Better Regulation Package: Regulating More or Regulating Less?

Author(s): Amanda Orza,Milena Lazarević / Language(s): English

Better regulation is not a novelty, but a continuation of previous efforts through different means. This time around, there were great expectations from the package and its influence on policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. From the onset, Commission President Juncker showed unequivocal political support for the better regulation agenda. A clear indication was the fact that within the ‘two-tier’ College of Commissioners, the senior strand was to be led by Frans Timmermans, the First Vice-President responsible for inter alia the better regulation portfolio. Suchan action spurred a lot of hope of the magnitude of reforms aiming at the simplification and streamlining of superfluous EU legislation. According to Juncker’s mission letter to Timmermans, every new initiative will have to go through and receive the green light from the VP in order to assure the respect of subsidiarity and proportionality, and to reduce the activity of the Commission to merely those which genuinely represent added value if acting on the EU level.This article will go through the main changes that the packages bring to conclude on their feasibility in the near future, and relevance to Serbia.