The kick-off meeting of NCEU-MK was held on March 15th, with the chapters from Cluster 1 – Fundamentals, represented through Working group 3 working in Justice and fundamental rights (Chapter 23), Working group 4 working in Justice, Freedom and Security (Chapter 24), and the new Working group 6, which will deal with Public Procurement (Chapter 5), Statistics (Chapter 18) and Financial control (Chapter 32). Today’s session was about planning the way the new working group will be functioning, the cluster methodology through cluster 1, and the future sessions which the convention will hold.
The national coordinator professor Mileva Gjurovska opened the meeting with a greeting to the audience, and with a reminder that the national convention is famous for its structural dialogue initiated by the civil society, with representatives from multiple parties, along with representatives from the institutions, the civil society, academics, and all stakeholders.
The meeting began with an explanation about the achievements of the European Movement, with a special reference to the Slovak experience which supported the convention and the way a dialogue concerning the euro-integration processes should be conducted. Professor Gjurovska gave an introduction to today’s event, explaining that the invitees are members of the working groups that are part of Cluster 1.
It was highlighted that NCEU will only work in Cluster 1 until June, with the existing working groups 3 and 4, and the new working group 6, as the main focus will be on Cluster 1: Fundamentals, but it was also stressed that this stage of the project is supported by the delegation of the European Union for the first time.
It’s important to keep in mind that the new chapters that are part of Working group 6 are complex processes in themselves, which would serve as a model for solving problems in the other clusters as well. If we’re talking about creating forms and policies in Cluster 1, we’re also indirectly speaking about the influence it has on other areas and clusters. Every chapter is related to Cluster 1, and it is the base for realizing all the others.
The chapter about statistics is of extreme importance as the statistical indicators are the very basis of the creation of any policy in the entire process of accession talks. That is why we need to show that the fata which is available to the institutions is usable and accurate.
Hristina Koneska – Beroska, from the secretariat for European Affairs, emphasized that Cluster 1 is the only cluster in which we will have time constraints. This will be a sure indicator in how long the other clusters will be able to open and close as well. The European Commission can give a recommendation on closing the clusters, and this cluster will affect the entire dynamic of accession negotiations. One single chapter can’t be closed unless the cluster is closed completely.
Working group 3 focused on the fact that the chapters shouldn’t only be discussed through the points of contact with the other chapters from Cluster 1, but also by themselves. We can’t expect to fight crime and have judicial protection if we have empty prosecutor offices, or just one prosecutor without a professional associate, and if all our funds are only on paper, without financial research. If the pinnacle of protection is justice, than justice should be given the attention it deserves.
The experts from Working group 3 highlighted that there isn’t a perfect model of selection in the justice system, but we need to pay more attention to the integrity of the people chosen by judicial instances. The need of vetting was also discussed, given the example of Albania, where the process is still not closed after 9 years. According to Professor Tupanchevki, there are vetting opportunities in the system, where the irregularities need to be noted.
Working group 4 focused on hybrid attacks, with several topics emerging for discussion. Professor Mitrevska, which is the coordinator of Working Group 4, emphasized that at the very peak of the hybrid attacks, there were 120 bomb reports in a single day, which is intended to destabilize the state. In addition to cyber attacks, the topic of migration and requests for asylum were also discussed, which is something that needs to be worked on more intensively.
The coordinator of the new working group 6, Viktor Mitevski, explained that their goal is to protect the financial interests of the state, specifically the law on budgets, which needs the system’s commitment to improving the conditions in public finances. An even more important segment of Cluster 1 is the public administration, and talking about creating a system which would make everything about it easier, so that we don’t wonder what’s happening, but instead it all goes systematically. He highlighted that the EU doesn’t require a legal framework only, but the institutional capacity of laws as well. It is also important to talk about digitalization, because it has been confirmed that in almost all chapters a digital system needs to be established, but a large part of the database in the State’s Statistical Office isn’t aligned and it’s something that needs to be worked on as soon as possible.
Within the meeting, there was also a discussion on the topics that the working group coordinators opened, which will be the basis of the future sessions. Representatives from the civil society, academics, government institution representatives, and students also participated in the discussion.