Series:ANALYTICA - Policy Reports

The End of a Long Transition? Macedonia’s Readiness for EU Candidacy

The End of a Long Transition? Macedonia’s Readiness for EU Candidacy

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

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; EU candidacy; EU enlargement; Western Balkans; Stabilisation and Association Agreement; readiness for EU membership; economic development; employment growth; monetary stability; transition period;

Mixed record of the EU following the failure of ratification of its first ever drafted constitution, on the one hand, and recent commitment shown to the enlargement, particularly in the cases of Turkey and Croatia, on the eve of 2006, the EU is faced with the big question whether to continue to demonstrate the commitment for the EU enlargement this time to the heart of the western Balkans region, towards Macedonia, success of which enlargement conditions the credibility of the EU’s foreign policy. Wider European and Balkan debate circles on EU enlargement currently have their ears in Brussels awaiting the avis of the Commission, which is to deliver whether Macedonia fulfils the conditions for candidacy and for negotiations for full Membership. The overall process of the European integration of Macedonia successfully started with the filling in the EC Questionnaire. However, as the date for the avis and for decision approaches, the calculations made for the rationale and benefits of enlargement to Macedonia, another western Balkan potential candidate after Croatia poses difficulty to EU officials and its member country representatives.

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Regulatory Impact Assessment (2)

Regulatory Impact Assessment (2)

Author(s): Agim Selami / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; Regulatory Impact assessment (RIA); implementing RIA; government; effective and efficient regulation; policy-making processes; public policy; legal framework; benefits of RIA;

Analytica’s report on Regulatory Impact Assessment aims at giving a clearer picture on the overall RIA process putting particular focus on RIA developments in Macedonia. The report goes through the history of RIA, its introduction booming all around the world and concentrates predominantly on RIA introduction and implementation challenges that Macedonia’s authorities are facing with. It emphasizes that Macedonia’s authorities, although belatedly, are more and more becoming aware of RIA’s role and importance in preparing solid legal framework… In this day and age, when governments are faced with a huge quantity of regulation, it is beyond question that regulation should imperatively be given special treatment and consideration. The role of political actors should consist of making sure that the regulation in place meets the criteria of an effective and efficient regulation, and guarantee that it produces a positive impact on concerned parties or more broadly – on citizens. In other words, mechanisms for anticipating policy impacts, such as Regulatory Impact assessment (RIA), must be put in practice.

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Scanning Macedonia’s performance under the European Commission’s progress report’s chapter 21: A race with obstacles? – Part I

Scanning Macedonia’s performance under the European Commission’s progress report’s chapter 21: A race with obstacles? – Part I

Author(s): Ana Stojilovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; assessment by the European Commission; Trans-European Networks; chapter 21; EU Single Market; quality of infrastructure; transport networks; energy networks; telecommunication networks;

This policy report tends to present and clarify Macedonia’s performance under chapter 21 from 2006 till 2010 by inspecting the quality and the sustainability of the progress achieved; to focus on the accomplishments and setbacks reflected in the progress report for the year 2010 with the aim of defining the future challenges; to assess the work of the institutions in Macedonia relevant for the implementation of chapter 21; and to offer clear and research based recommendations for better performance under the chapter. The purpose of this policy report is by presenting recommendations and solutions to the relevant institutions to contribute to achieving better progress under chapter 21 in the following years with the overall aim of assisting Macedonia’s integration in the EU. With the purpose of observing the report’s length, this policy paper will cover only the first part of the whole report on chapter 21, i.e. the transport networks part (TEN-T).

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Emergence of Regional Leader in the Western Balkans - The case of Serbia and the implications for Macedonia

Emergence of Regional Leader in the Western Balkans - The case of Serbia and the implications for Macedonia

Author(s): Sonja Zuber / Language(s): English

Keywords: Western Balkans; regional leader towards European Union; EU integration process; negotiation; Serbia; North Macedonia; geopolitics; International Court of Justice; Kosovo’s independence; international law;

Serbia has always been an interesting case for analysis when dealing with the Western Balkans’ political, economical and cultural relations. Serbia’s central location in the Balkan Peninsula and its big territory (slightly bigger than Bulgaria), give her a significant importance in the geo-politics of Europe and wider. In addition the key corridor 10, which is the bloodstream of the region, passes throughout the whole country. These geo-political characteristics however, are not the only reason that makes Serbia important for the region and the EU itself. Serbia has a so called “institutional memory”, relatively long tradition of established bureaucracy reflected on functional administration and institutions which directly effects EU integration processes and makes cooperation feasible (as it is a highly bureaucratic process in nutshell). Comparatively Serbia’s statehood dates back much earlier than most of the other Western Balkan (WB) countries.

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Context Analysis of the Security Sector Reform in Macedonia 1991 – 2008

Context Analysis of the Security Sector Reform in Macedonia 1991 – 2008

Author(s): Cvete Koneska,Biljana Kotevska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; security sector reform; state independence; post-communist transition; institutional changes; ethnic conflict; democracy; EU integration; NATO integration; army; military policy; Intelligence Agency;

This paper looks at the general political and security sector context in the last two decades since Macedonian independence, and traces the major trends and events that shaped the political developments and progress with security sector reforms in post-communist Macedonia. For the purpose of this paper, the analysis of the post-communist transition period is divided in three parts, corresponding to the three periods on which we divided the context since 1991, for the sake of greater clarity and analytical coherence. For each of these three periods, we conducted an analysis of major political developments as well as institutional change. Based on this analysis, each period is qualified as characterised by a specific nature, whether post-authoritarian, conflict, postconflict, or integrationist. In the Annex attached to this paper, a short overview of the key political actors and their role in the security sector reforms and the political transition in Macedonia is offered. The first period analyzed is the period from the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, in 1991 until the ethnic conflict in 2001. These years mark the first decade of independent statehood and democratic politics in Macedonia. The second period stretches from the ethnic conflict in 2001 until the NATO Summit in Bucharest in early 2008. The 2001 conflict had a profound impact on the political and security context in Macedonia. It produced inter-ethnic violence and culminated in a far-reaching reform of the constitutional and institutional set-up of Macedonian democracy.

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Scanning Macedonia’s performance under the European Commission’s Progress Report’s Chapter 21: A race with obstacles? – Part II

Scanning Macedonia’s performance under the European Commission’s Progress Report’s Chapter 21: A race with obstacles? – Part II

Author(s): Ana Stojilovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; assessment by the European Commission; Trans-European Networks; chapter 21; EU Single Market; quality of infrastructure; transport networks; energy networks; telecommunication networks;

This policy report aims at presenting and clarifying Macedonia’s performance under chapter 21 in 2010 and at inspecting the quality and the sustainability of the progress achieved in order to define the future challenges and to offer the relevant institutions research based recommendations for further progress under the chapter. Having covered the TEN-T part of chapter 21 in a previous publication, this policy paper will cover only the TEN-E and the eTEN part of chapter 21.

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Politicization in the Macedonian Public Administration

Politicization in the Macedonian Public Administration

Author(s): Qëndresa Sulejmani / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; public administration reforms; apolitical administration; democracy; depolitization of public institutions; civil service; EU integration; Law on Civil Servants; supervision in civil service;

Public administration (PA), as the apparatus through which political decisions are executed, has long been considered a constituent part of government’s staff. The idea of an independent and apolitical administration was initially introduced by Woodrow Wilson in his “The Study of Public Administration” (1887) and its practice still remains relatively new, as the PA is in a constant reformation. This line of thought was initially applied in states oriented toward democracy and market economy, while highly centralized communist states disregarded the trend. Interest in the politics-administration dichotomy has reached Southeastern Europe only after the fall of the socialist regimes; yet even since, politics and politicians continue to define the organization and function of the administration in the region. Politicization of the PA derives from the visible and automatic synthesis of the ruling party with the state in post communist states. However, after the fall of the socialist regime in Macedonia, as in the whole region, there have been tendencies to reform the administration in the name of democracy and the market economy, but changes have been moderate, especially in practice. Hence, in Macedonia politicians retain control over the state administration although they are well informed of the benefits of a professional and neutral administration; in consequence, the implementation of democratization processes often stagnates in Macedonia.

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Follow up – Macedonia and IPA Funds – guidelines for Civil Society Organizations & expectations for the future

Follow up – Macedonia and IPA Funds – guidelines for Civil Society Organizations & expectations for the future

Author(s): Sonja Zuber / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; EU funds; IPA; Framework Programmes; civil society organisations; civil sector; funding possibilities; IPA Multi-Beneficiary Programme; People2People (P2P) Programme; IPA National Programme;

In 2009, Analytica published the report Macedonia’s lagging behind in efficient usage of EU funds (IPA, Framework Programmes). In 2009 the country was still just getting to know all the complex procedures and labyrinths that the EU funding represents. The conclusion was that: “…the overall feeling is that compared to Croatia and Turkey, Macedonia is lagging behind in terms of IPA usage. Institutional capacity has been a persistent problem and there have not been sufficient trainings of the private sector in the past years either, which adds to the situation Macedonia is in.” It can be said that several important occurrences happened since the IPA funding was established in 2007. Even though Macedonia’s integration is in a limbo at the moment due to the Greek veto over the name dispute, the funds flow each year towards the capacity building of the county and the state, private and civil sectors. The process of the reforms does not stop and the better the country is prepared for the negotiation process the smoother it will run once it starts. Therefore the country should strive to full usage of the numerous EU funds that are open for the Macedonia’s institutions, private and civil sector.

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The Challenge of Achieving Sustainable Renewable Energy Policy in Macedonia

The Challenge of Achieving Sustainable Renewable Energy Policy in Macedonia

Author(s): Ana Stojilovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; energy policy; energy sector; energy development and sustainability; renewable sources of energy; legal framework; hydro energy; wind energy; solar energy; biomass; biogas; geothermal energy; environmental pollution;

Macedonia’s commitment for becoming an EU member state brought many reforms in the country. The energy sector, previously with no strategic vision of its development and no sustainability, has begun to transform to comply with the market economy model. Macedonia made efforts to fulfill the commitments coming from the EU candidate status including reforming the energy sector and prioritizing the renewable sources of energy (RES) policy. However, the general perception is that the invested efforts have not brought the desired results. Although the strategies are put in place, their implementation is progressing slowly hampered by a set of barriers which discourage potential investors. In addition, the undertaken efforts were partial and insufficient since the energy sector reforms are tied to other system reforms. Last but not least, there is an absence of a coherent and horizontal policy in promoting RES and a lack of inter-sector cooperation in the area. These challenges question the long-term sustainability of the RES policy in Macedonia. Having limited investments in RES sector; furthermore a set of policy, financial, legal, administrative and information obstacles which add to the existing investment uncertainty and low environmental awareness, it is of utmost importance, the RES policy to be thoroughly researched. The RES policy is important for Macedonia not only because it is an obligation steaming from the respective international agreements, but because Macedonia has underused RES potential. By investing in RES, the county would secure its future in light of its increasing energy demand, the high import dependency as well as the exhaustibility of the fossil fuels.

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The Story of the Macedonian Heat Market – How to Reform It?

The Story of the Macedonian Heat Market – How to Reform It?

Author(s): Ana Stojilovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; energy policy; heat market; energy; Energy Community Treaty; legal reforms; energy reforms; renewable energy; heating homes and offices; energy efficiency; Energy Regulatory Commission;

Being an EU candidate country brought many reforms in Macedonia including significant energy market restructuring. Having signed the Energy Community Treaty, the country is undergoing many institutional, market and legal reforms. In fact, the relevant energy legal acts have been adopted; new institutional and market actors have been set; and incentives for increasing the share of renewables and improving energy efficiency are being taken. However, the area which remained overshadowed by the other energy reforms is the heat market. Dominated by an extremely high consumption of electricity and partly supplied by an under-developed district heating (DH) which is in the hands of a dominant actor, the Macedonian heat market shows patterns of energy inefficiency and lack of vision for long-term development. In the context of increasing prices of the energy sources and heat bills, the customers are faced with ever growing worries of heating their homes and offices. Despite some developments in the heat sector, one of the possible solutions – the gasification process - progresses slowly and furthermore no significant structural reforms are planned, leaving this energy sector one of the most problematic in Macedonia. The aim of this research is to inspect possible policy solutions for reforming the Macedonian heat market and drafting policy recommendations to the respective Macedonian authorities for the purpose of improving the state of the heat market and heat consumers’ wellbeing.

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How far is Macedonia in fulfilling the requirements under Chapter 27 - Environment of the acquis

How far is Macedonia in fulfilling the requirements under Chapter 27 - Environment of the acquis

Author(s): Sonja Zuber / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; chapter 27; Environment and climate change; environmental protection; environmental policy; waste management; air quality; water quality; industrial pollution; noise; forestry; chemicals;

Macedonia’s progress under Chapter 27 of the EU Acquis – Environment and climate change has been one of the slowest since the EC started reporting about the reform processes in the potential candidates and candidates’ member states. The issues in the environmental sector have not been high on the Macedonian government’s agenda due to many other problems taking time and money such as public administration and judicial reforms, police reform, human rights, non-majority communities’ rights etc., which usually take priority over the environment. Although as a candidate for membership Macedonia is obliged to work on reforms in every chapter including this one. Some progress has been made in certain areas such as transposing the acquis into national legislation, in particular on waste management or chemicals. However there is much left to be done, and the general observation is that, the most painful and expensive reforms are yet to be implemented. As it was stated in the last progress report from 2012: considerable efforts are required on awareness-raising, setting a more strategic approach for the country, aligning with and implanting EU climate acquis… Administrative capacity at both central and local levels needs to be strengthened. Investments need to be increased, especially in the waste and water sectors. Overall, preparations in the field of the environment are moderately advanced while in the field of climate change remain at an early stage.

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Mechanisms for Fighting Police Corruption in the Republic of Macedonia – Legal and Institutional Set Up

Mechanisms for Fighting Police Corruption in the Republic of Macedonia – Legal and Institutional Set Up

Author(s): Elena Brmbeska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; public institutions; police corruption; anti-corruption policy; high-level corruption; negative social effects; security; defense; legal framework; organised criminal groups; transparency; internal control; professional standards;

One of the biggest obstacles in the proper functioning of democracy is ignorance of the rule of law by institutions meant to enforce it. The presence of corruption in public institutions causes multiple fractions in the country, while some officials obligated to serve the public well-being (inspired by various motives), choose to neglect the values of their service. Step by step, the coordinated work of the institutions that the system requires is disabled and the basic principles of democracy are impaired. Consequently, it is almost impossible to promote and protect human rights and freedoms in an environment where basic moral principles are neglected. Needless to say, corruption is an occurrence that systematically destroys the country from the inside. This is one of the leading problems in our country which prevents any kind of prosperity. Facing the challenges of the transition period, on a struggling path to full membership to the European Union, Macedonia has to put in significant effort in order to fulfill certain criteria. The demand to establish stability in the political, economic and social system is especially difficult when dealing with high level of corruption in the country. The disruptive nature of this phenomenon appears in every segment of the state apparatus. The abuse of official power and authority, in order to gain personal benefit seems to have taken a sway on every level of hierarchy in the public administration. Given the complexity and chain-structure of criminal organized groups involved in corruption, it takes a number of well established and coordinated mechanisms to tackle it. According to the experts, a successful combination would be one of suitable and fully implemented legislative on one side, and democratic institutions working in compliance with it, which will put theory into practice on the other.

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Comparative Analysis of Regional Practices for Parliamentary Financial Oversight of Intelligence Services

Comparative Analysis of Regional Practices for Parliamentary Financial Oversight of Intelligence Services

Author(s): Magdalena Lembovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; intelligence services; state budget; public finances; intelligence service expenditures; financial accountability; transparency; parliamentary financial oversight; auditing; legal framework; approval of financial resources;

This paper will give an account of the mechanisms available to the Macedonian Parliament to conduct parliamentary oversight of the intelligence services, particularly those within the jurisdiction of the specialized parliamentary committees. It will then examine cases from other states in the region and look for practices and legal solutions that they have established in order to encourage financial accountability of their intelligence services. As former Yugoslav republics, during the last two decades these states were facing the challenges of transition and building democratic, transparent and accountable institutions. However, not all of them have progressed at the same pace. The best practices are elaborated in two case-studies – Slovenia and Croatia, both members of the European Union. Furthermore, their oversight systems differ at many levels, having been created and developed according to each country’s specific processes and needs. They should serve as examples to better understand the role of parliaments in ensuring the accountability of intelligence services in the implementation of programs and projects financed with state money. Thereby, the case-study sections provide a brief overview of the formal intelligence services and authorized bodies for their oversight. The focus is put on the role of the parliament (directly or indirectly through parliamentary committees) throughout the four phases of the budgetary cycle: planning, adoption, implementation and audit.

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Analysis of the National Policies and Practices Dealing with Illegal Migration and Asylum Seekers

Analysis of the National Policies and Practices Dealing with Illegal Migration and Asylum Seekers

Author(s): Magdalena Lembovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Western Balkans; migrations; demographic changes; migration routes; migration crisis; illegal migration; asylum seekers; human rights; UNHCR Convention; policy; human trafficking; violation of rights; social security;

The past decade has seen rapid changes in the migration flows in, from and through the countries of the Western Balkans. Regular migration is very important for the country’s socio-economic and demographic development; however, irregular migration also deserves special attention by the competent authorities. It is an issue of both state security and human security and is usually connected with serious and organized crime and the infringement of human rights. Following visa liberalization for the Western Balkans counties, the region is usually seen as the origin of illegal migration into the European Union. During the last few years all eyes were focused on asylum seekers from the Western Balkans countries. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the fact that the region is also a transit area for migrants towards the EU. So far there has been little discussion about this phenomenon among researchers and policy makers, although the national and regional media are becoming more interested in the issue, bringing it closer to citizens.

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Energy and Security Sector Governance in Macedonia: How to Improve its Efficiency?

Energy and Security Sector Governance in Macedonia: How to Improve its Efficiency?

Author(s): Magdalena Lembovska,Ana Stojilovska / Language(s): English

Keywords: North Macedonia; EU integration; NATO integration; policy reforms; energy sector; security sector; legislation; Energy Agency; human resources; training employees; civil servants; strategic development; policy-making process;

The Republic of Macedonia, due to its EU and NATO integration endeavors is experiencing many policy reforms. Especially the country’s energy and security sectors are both characterized with low transparency and limited openness for cooperation – the first due to its capital intensity and the second due to the communist system’s legacy, both also important for national security. As a result, they have been exposed but reluctant to the reform processes and have many deficiencies in their governance. Some of the identified issues include insufficient capacities, lack of financial means, delays in adopting the respective legislation and in implementing projects, all of which indicate low efficiency in these sectors’ performance. On the other hand, the Slovak Republic, also a former communist country and an EU and NATO member state showcases good examples of capacity building and institutional efficiency in the respective sectors. Its ten year-long Euro-Atlantic integration enabled gaining good experience with the reform processes in the two sectors. Additionally, according to the Worldwide Governance Indicators the Slovak Republic has better governance scores than Macedonia. Thus, the Slovak Republic can be considered as a valuable resource for applying its learnt lessons in the Macedonian case.

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