2 CEI Annual Report 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………...4 2. Main Achievements…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7 3. Hungarian CEI Presidency 2013…………………………………………………………………………………………….…..9 4. Activities of the CEI Secretariat……………………………………………………………………………………………….15 ANNEXES Annex 1: Priorities of the Hungarian CEI Presidency…………………………………………………………………...28 Annex 2: Calendar of Events of the Hungarian CEI Presidency……………………………………………….……29 Annex 3: Profit&Loss Statement of the CEI-Executive Secretariat……………………………………………….31 Annex 4: CEI Secretariat’s Staff…………………………………………………………………………………………………...32 Annex 5: EU-funded Projects………………………………………………………………………………………………………34 Annex 6: Technical Cooperation (TC) Projects…………………………………………………...……………………….41 Annex 7: Know- how Exchange Programme (KEP) Projects………………………………………………………...45 Annex 8: Cooperation Activities (CAs).……………………………………………………………………………………....49 3 CEI Annual Report 2013 1. FOREWORD This is my first Annual Report since I have assumed the posi- needs and proposals tion of Secretary General of the Central European Initiative expressed by the coun- (CEI) in March. I have taken over this role with great pleas- tries. The main goal is to ure and commitment in decisive times for the advancement bring the Member States of regional cooperation, attracting renovated interest during closer together in joint the last years: Macro-regional strategies are being launched initiatives and encourage at European Union (EU) level. Indeed, our Organisation plays further regional coopera- a key role in promoting regional cooperation for European tion in a structured and integration and serves as a bridge between the macro- result-oriented manner regions of Europe. It connects the Baltic, the Danube, the aimed at making tangible Adriatic-Ionian and the Black Sea regions and this year many contributions towards a of the CEI events have focused on these very topics. knowledge-based and sus- tainable economy in an What gives us a comparative advantage and added value for inclusive society. In order achieving our mission is the fact that not only are we an in- to reach this goal, the PoA tergovernmental platform for high-level consultations offers the necessary among our countries, but we also have a strong record of framework to steer the achievements through our project based approach aimed at CEI’s future action, while generating high-quality, result-oriented projects. This year committing the Organisa- Ambassador Giovanni Caracciolo di Vietri the CEI has had a number of projects and activities in the tion to a constant im- pipeline to the benefit of our Member States. It has support- provement of its performance. ed - thanks in particular to the extraordinary financial com- mitment by the Italian Government - a large number of pro- jects and activities through the CEI Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Ambassador Giovanni Caracciolo di Vietri was appoint- ed Secretary General in January 2013 after having held through the CEI Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP), also the post of Italian Ambassador to France from 2009 to supported by Austria. Projects and activities have also been 2012. He took over the position in March. supported through the CEI Cooperation Fund, financed by all CEI Member States. Moreover, the CEI has participated in Having graduated in Law in 1970 at the University of many EU-funded projects, thus attracting additional re- Rome “La Sapienza”, he also received a French education sources, both as Lead Partner and Partner. In this context, at the Lycee Châteaubriand in Rome, where he obtained the CEI, and in particular its Secretariat, is not an administra- the Baccalauréat “avec mention”. Caracciolo di Vietri tor of funds alone, but is also substantially engaged in pro- enters the diplomatic service in 1971 and in 1976 he was ject design and implementation. Through this operational First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy to Ethiopia. From 1980 – 1985 he worked as Counsellor at the Embassy of and project-oriented approach, the CEI is pursuing stronger Italy to the United States of America and from 1985 – institutional ties with the European Commission (EC). 1992 as Deputy Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the Republic of Italy. In 1992 he was nominated Consul This year the Organisation has elaborated the new CEI Plan General in Paris and in 1996 Deputy Director General for of Action (PoA) 2014-2016, adopted by the Heads of Gov- Emigration and Social Affairs, MFA, Rome. From 2000 – ernment, through written procedure, on 12 December. This 2004 he served as Ambassador to Belgrade and from important document will likely enhance cooperation with 2004 – 2006 he was nominated Director General for Eu- and among CEI Member States even more. The PoA will en- ropean Countries and Regional Cooperation at the MFA ter into force in 2014, a year of important celebrations in- in Rome. From 2006 – 2009 he was Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Ge- cluding the 25th Anniversary of the CEI. The new EU Multian- neva. nual Financial Framework 2014 – 2020 will also be launched. In drawing up the PoA, special attention was paid to the real 4 CEI Annual Report 2013 The CEI has also worked, together with the Hungarian Presi- the CEI is in tune with any scenario of development of region- dency, on the revisiting of the CEI Business Dimension. In this al cooperation, thus often works in partnership with the EU context, a Position Paper elaborated by the Committee of and many other international and regional organisations. National Coordinators (CNC) and the CEI Secretariat brought about the adoption of the Decision of the Minister of Foreign For the times ahead, I will personally be engaged in facing the Affairs, on the occasion of their meeting in Gödöllő (Hungary) future challenges of the CEI in order to enhance multilateral on 31 October 2013. The aim is to renew the Business Dimen- political dialogue and cooperation for the benefit of our sion on the basis of a two-pillar system, according to the Member States. In this endeavor, the CEI Secretariat in needs of both SMEs and large businesses. Trieste will continue to assure its support to the overall suc- cess and visibility of our Organisation. Last but not least, I also wish to emphasise our partnership with the EBRD. Thanks to the CEI Fund at the EBRD, the CEI In conclusion, I would like to express our deep gratitude for has been able to expand its activities in the region. At the the extraordinary efforts of the Hungarian Presidency which same time, the observer status in the General Assembly of has made the year 2013 a great success for the CEI and its the United Nations (UN) opens a global perspective to our Member States. work. Furthermore, in order to accomplish our core mission Ambassador Giovanni Caracciolo di Vietri 5 6 CEI Annual Report 2013 2. MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS In 2013, the CEI was commissioned with a number of tasks. In this context, numerous events, activities and projects A CEI Agenda for 2014-2016: have been carried out throughout the year. They are out- Towards a Knowledge-based Society lined in detail in the Chapters related to the Hungarian Presi- Towards a Sustainable Economy dency and the CEI Secretariat. Nevertheless, a few salient Towards an Inclusive Society activities involving all CEI Structures need to be highlighted, such as the new Plan of Action 2014-2016 as well as the re- and dynamic manner. The PoA is aligned with the entry into visiting of the Business Dimension. force of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014- 2020 and in line with provisions of the EU 2020 Strategy on CEI Plan of Action 2014-2016 a knowledge-based, sustainable and inclusive economy. Last but not least, the PoA intends to capitalise on the main The CEI Plan of Action (PoA) strength of the Organization: its distinctive methodology for 2014-2016 was adopted by promotion of effective regional cooperation through multi- the Heads of Government lateral diplomacy in combination with project management. on 12 December, through a written procedure launched Revisiting the CEI Business Dimension by the Hungarian Presiden- cy. Elaborated by the Mem- The Member States, in cooperation with the CEI Secretariat, ber States, in cooperation have elaborated a new concept for the CEI Business Dimen- with the CEI Secretariat and sion (BD). In this context, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs the Networks of Focal at their meeting in Gödöllő (Hungary) on 31 October, agreed Points, the new PoA repre- upon revisiting the BD and introducing a new approach, sents a structured roadmap, aimed at addressing the specific needs of SMEs and those of setting out clear and agreed the large businesses. The renewed BD shall be an effective priorities of cooperation in tool meeting the needs of the business communities within the framework of the CEI. the CEI Region and shall serve to promote growth through enhanced business interaction. The Ministers, furthermore, The document, in force as of 1 January 2014, is composed of endorsed the Position Paper "Revisiting the CEI Business two parts: Part one, “CEI strategic approach to regional co- Dimension" as a guiding tool for future activities in the BD. operation”, highlights the CEI’s core mission, as well as the In this context, they tasked the Secretariat to start the main strategic objectives and measures for a structural and necessary institutional changes in order to incorporate a financial strengthening