1. 9. 2017 | PR, ROSE
A new website www.roseslovenia.eu was developed and the website www.slovenskieracun.si was updated for providing support and useful information to the public service providers in carrying out their upcoming responsibility to receive eInvoice when sent in European standard. The website will be regularly updated as it tracks developments of “Readiness Of Slovenian E-invoicing (ROSE)” Action, whose implementation is under way and supported by the European Union.
The Action implementers – representatives of Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Centre for European Perspective, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Mojdenar IT and ZZI gathered on 31 August 2017 at 3rd Steering Board meeting, reviewed accomplishments and planned tasks and approved presented website.
Among important issues of the Steering Board meeting was also, a decision to start with intensive preparation of the national conference titled “Will we be ready for EU standard for eInvoice” which will take place on 22 September 2017 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
OBJAVA SPLETNE STRANI ZA ROSE – “Readiness Of Slovenian E-invocing” UKREP
Oblikovana je spletna stran www.roseslovenia.eu, hkrati pa so bile narejene dopolnitve na spletni strani Slovenski e-Račun (www.slovenskieracun.si), z namero, da se s pomočjo spletne strani zagotavlja podpora in uporabne informacije izvajalcem javnih storitev pri izvajanju prihajajoče obveznosti o sprejemu e-računa, ko bo poslan v EU standardu. Na spletni strani bodo redno objavljene dopolnitve in novice, saj spletna stran spremlja napredek ukrepa “Readiness Of Slovenian E-invoicing (ROSE)”, katerega izvedbo, ki je v teku, podpira Evropska unija.
Nosilci ukrepa – predstavniki Uprave Republike Slovenije za javna plačila, Centra za evropsko prihodnost, Gospodarske zbornice Slovenije, podjetji Mojdenar IT d.o.o. in ZZI d.o.o. so se zbrali 31.8.2017 na tretjem sestanku usmerjevalnega odbora, se seznanili z dosežki in načrtovanimi nalogami ter potrdili predstavljeno spletno stran.
Med pomembnimi odločitvami usmerjevalnega odbora je tudi odločitev o začetku intenzivnih priprav na nacionalno konferenco z naslovom “Bomo pripravljeni na EU standard za e-račun?”, ki bo organizirana 22. septembra 2017 v Ljubljani.
26. 8. 2017 | OBOR, PR
Karl Aiginger is Director of the Policy Crossover Center in Vienna and Professor of Economics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Department of Economics. From 2005 to 2016, he served as Director to the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). He is also co-editor at the Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade (JICT), and was coordinator of the research project ‘WWWforEurope – a new growth path for Europe’ from April 2012 to March 2016. His research areas include: industrial economics and policy, competitiveness of industries, regions and nations, financial crisis, and economic strategy and policy.
On 11 July 2017, WeBuildEurope spoke to him about OBOR – the Chinese trade and investment initiative – and its implications for the European Union.
Professor Karl Aiginger
http://www.querdenkereuropa.at/who-are-we-1/
WBE: Does the Chinese OBOR strategy pose a threat to the EU?
A: It is an advantage to both, and should be a start of cooperation. The EU and China should shape the welfare-increasing globalisation process together, and especially at a time in which the US is retreating from the global stage (‘America first’), which also means less imports and more protectionism. China and the EU know that globalisation of trade and investment can increase incomes and reduce poverty, but also that it has to be shaped in a political process and by looking at mutual benefits. OBOR is an essential part of the Chinese strategy, and China is able and willing to invest a lot of money in an infrastructure that reduces trade costs. For the EU, OBOR is an opportunity because it connects Europe more closely with Asia, including the Post-Soviet space and the Black Sea region, but also India.
WBE: So, besides offering possibilities for cooperation, OBOR does not pose a threat to the EU?
A: It could also be a threat, if the Road is used one-sidedly. But currently the EU has a trade deficit with China, and willingness to increase investment into a better infrastructure in neighbourhood countries is limited and expectations of further enlargement to the East seems stalled by political conflicts. Important is to communicate and cooperate with China, so that the European firms may participate in building the Belt and so that European technologies and priorities for the environment are respected. The final result of the Chinese initiative and the European offer for cooperation, would then be positive not only for Europe and China, but also for other countries, the environment, and labour conditions.
An example is decarbonisation: Both the EU and China have signed COP21. Trade here is key: Both China and the EU can provide technologies. While the regions might go different ways, the aim is the same, and we can learn from one another.
So, as long as both partners can bring what they can do best, OBOR is a positive thing.
However, some countries in the EU may see it as a threat, and some companies complain that investment in China is difficult. But Chinese companies claim the same about some EU countries. Successful cooperation in building new infrastructure may increase cooperation on other levels: trade and investment in each country, as well as in partners along the Belt. The approach must be cooperation.
WBE: What possible difficulties do you expect? Any transparency issues or negative environmental impact?
A: Yes, in the current plans for the Belt, environmental standards are not always respected. There are differences in legal systems, corporate governance, etc. Different standards might pose some difficulties. Nevertheless, the goal shall be cooperation, for example in the form of joint ventures. Each side will have its goals and requirements in mind. The EU should ask for respect of its standards and values.
WBE: Is there a grand vision behind OBOR?
A: China has its own political and economic goals, as does every country. It once was the larges economic area and now it is about to return to that position. As far as concerns the political system, Europe is assessed as a soft power, in contrast to the United States and Russia, which are seen more as a hard powers. China has to find its own position. China has often looked for peace and has the potential to employ soft power – I think it also fits Chinese culture. The nation wants to have a fair share in international organisation and finance institutions, and has a lot of money, so it is looking for international investments. The EU would be well advised to offer a safe investment environment. Norway would be a good example of a country where China can safely invest.
WBE: Could China come into competition with the EU on soft power and cultural influence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)?
A: Generally speaking, yes. So far, the EU was the only soft power, and was the hegemon of the social welfare state with very high expenditures for social security. Welfare systems within Europe are now much different. To find the real answer, we have to distinguish between the CEE countries that are already EU Member States, and CEE countries with candidate status for accession: In 2004, the then new members were very quickly integrated into the Union, even though they had a very different system. The process happened under a lot of constraints and stress; problems with migration, wage disparities, etc. nevertheless, given the huge task, the integration process happened very fast. Today, Eastern European countries grow 2 to 4 per cent faster than Western European countries, and were also able to manage the financial crisis quite well. A problem is that Russia has an interest in destabilising these countries. Also within the countries there are Pan-Slavic movements aiming for closeness with Russia.
In the non-member countries (the Western Balkan, Turkey, and the Black Sea region) the EU has not done enough in terms of investment or fighting political and structural problems like corruption. In these countries, the EU should cooperate more. An example is Ukraine: There, the EU did not sufficiently encourage ethnic groups to cooperate with each other. It forgot ethnic differences have to be resolved before integration into the EU can start. Similarly, Turkey, a country that has aimed for EU membership for decades, has not been welcomed. Today, the political environment in Turkey has changed significantly, but only 10 years ago it was strongly pro-EU.
WBE: The 16+1 framework: Could it be the EU’s foot in the door to OBOR and China, given the fact it consists of both types of countries (the CEE EU Member States and the CEE non-Member States)?
A: Yes, in general we should look for these types of frameworks for cooperation – we do not know what will ultimately be successful, but it will definitely enhance the cooperation.
WBE: Is there room for the EU to cooperate with China on peacekeeping and peacebuilding?
A: Yes, of course. And it is very, very necessary. The EU and China look at problems from different angles – as do other countries in Asia or Africa – and we should not be too one-sided. The Chinese perspective could enrich the way the EU solves conflicts. China is an important and necessary partner: in conflict resolution, conflict prevention, stopping global warming, and shaping globalisation.
**********
For more information on Professor Karl Aiginger and his work, see: http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/
28. 7. 2017 | PR, ROSE
“Readiness Of Slovenian E-Invoicing” (ROSE), a Connecting European Facility Action, co-financed by the European Union and implemented by the Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, ZZI d.o.o., Mojdenar IT d.o.o. and Centre for European Perspective, is entering the analytical and conceptual solutions phase, throughout which the partners will continue to raise awareness and promote exchange of e-Invoices in the EU. They discussed the achievements so far and future goals at the second Steering Board Meeting hosted by the Centre for European Perspective on 27 July 2017.
The key objective of the consortium that is addressing the European Directive on electronic invoicing in public procurement (2014/55/EU), is to set up supporting technical environment that will allow them to upgrade the existing system of e-Invoicing for the budget users and to establish a system for the contracting entities (i.e. public service providers other than budget users). Both systems will enable the contracting authorities and contracting entities to receive and accept e-Invoices in accordance with the European standards on e-Invoicing.
e-Invoice recipients’ entity database, that will be set up by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, is following the decision of the European Directive according to which the ability to use the e-Invoicing system is also required from public service providers other than budget users. Among those we most often find local utility and other public services companies. The consortium will to a large extent focus on trainings that will help them understand the standardization of the e-Invoicing in the EU and in Slovenia. EU Member States and the European Commission introduced the new European standard mainly due to the diversity of the e-Invoices formats, used in various EU countries. Such diversity leads to unnecessary complexity and high costs for economic operators and public entities and prevents electronic invoices to flow seamlessly across the EU which limits effectiveness of the Digital Single Market.
Solutions developed through the ROSE project, will include nationally-specific e-Invoicing standard eSlog 2.0 in compliance with European standards, a platform for transposition and receipt of e-Invoices sent in one of the European standards, e-Invoices recipients’ e database and upgraded single entry and exit points for exchange of e-Invoices at the Public Payments Administration.
National conference, devoted to better understanding of public service providers concerning receipt of e-invoices and presentation of accomplishments of the ROSE project will be organized on 25 September 2017 in Ljubljana.
Projekt ROSE z novimi rešitvami za Slovenijo in Evropsko unijo pri izmenjavi e-računov pri javnem naročanju
Projekt “Readiness Of Slovenian E-Invoicing” (ROSE), ki ga s finančno podporo Evropske komisije izvajajo Uprava Republike Slovenije za javna plačila, Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije, ZZI d.o.o., Mojdenar IT d.o.o. ter Center za evropsko prihodnost, tekom poletnih mesecev prehaja v analitično fazo oziroma fazo oblikovanja konceptualnih rešitev ob vzporednih naporih za boljšo ozaveščenosti in promocijo izmenjave e-računov v EU. O dosedanjih in prihodnjih dosežkih je tekla razprava na drugem sestanku usmerjevalnega odbora, ki ga je gostil Center za evropsko prihodnost dne 27. julija 2017.
Ključni namen trenutnih prizadevanj konzorcija, ki s projektom naslavljajo evropsko direktivo o prejemanju elektronskih računov pri javnem naročanju (2014/55/EU), je vzpostaviti podporno tehnološko okolje za nadgradnjo sistema za proračunske porabnike in vzpostavitev sistem za ostale zavezance, vpisane v nastajajoč Register prejemnikov eRačunov, ki bo omogočal prejem in prevzem eRačunov v skladu z evropskimi standardi o eRačunih.
Register prejemnikov eRačunov, ki ga bo vzpostavila Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije, sledi zahtevam evropske direktive, da tudi izvajalci javnih storitev, ki niso proračunski porabniki, v svoje poslovanje uvedejo e-račune. Med tovrstnimi izvajalci so v Sloveniji prisotna predvsem lokalna komunalna podjetja in drugi izvajalci javnih storitev. Prav tem bodo namenjena tudi usposabljanja, ki bodo pripomogla k razumevanju standardizacije e-računov v Evropski uniji in Sloveniji. Države EU in Evropska komisija so namreč evropski standard za e-račune uvedle zaradi raznolikih formatov e-računov, ki se uporabljajo v državah EU. Raznolikost namreč vodi v nepotrebno zapletenost in visoke stroške za gospodarske subjekte in javne institucije in preprečuje, da bi elektronski računi tekoče krožili znotraj EU oziroma omejuje učinkovito delovanje Enotnega digitalnega trga EU.
Tehnična rešitev, ki bo izdelana tekom projekta ROSE, bo zajemala nacionalno specifični standard za elektronske račune eSLOG 2.0, ki bo usklajen z evropskimi standardi, platformo za prevajanje in prejem eRačunov, poslanih v enem od standardov, veljavnih v Evropski uniji, register prejemnikov eRačunov ter nadgradnjo vstopne točke za prejemnike eRačunov pri Upravi RS za javna plačila.
Nacionalna konferenca, namenjena boljši seznanjenosti izvajalcev javnih storitev glede prejemanja e-računov in predstavitvi prvih rezultatov projekta bo organizirana 25. septembra 2017 v Ljubljani.
27. 7. 2017 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
Slovenia has built up a sound development programme over the last 12 years, particularly in the Western Balkans, and should now work on tightening its focus in other regions in order to get the most impact from its aid contributions, according to a new OECD report. The first DAC Peer Review of Slovenia welcomes a steady rise in Slovenia’s foreign aid budget in the last few years, although it notes that an increase in funds spent on hosting foreign refugees arriving in Slovenia has been a factor pushing up official development assistance (ODA) levels. In-donor refugee costs made up 11.2% of Slovenia’s ODA in 2015.
Slovenia sends two thirds of its bilateral aid to countries in the Western Balkans, where it is able to share its transition experience as an early joiner among former Yugoslav Republics of the European Union and NATO, and is helping to develop poor areas. The Review recommends that Slovenia narrows its geographic and thematic focus in other regions to avoid spreading its aid too thinly outside the Balkans.
“It is encouraging to see Slovenia increasing its development aid and showing such willingness to share its transition experience with countries in the Western Balkans striving for a similar path,” said DAC Chair Charlotte Petri Gornitzka. “Outside the Balkans, Slovenia can enhance its impact by focusing more on a smaller number of high-value projects, delivered through partnerships in carefully selected countries and sectors.”
An OECD member since 2010, Slovenia joined the Organisation’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2013, having begun its development co-operation programme in 2005. The biggest share of Slovenia’s bilateral aid is spent on areas the DAC sees as key, such as strengthening good governance, the rule of law and social infrastructure and services.
Slovenia provided 0.18% of its gross national income, or USD 80 million, as ODA in 2016, up from 0.15% (USD 63 million) in 2015. That compares with a DAC average of 0.32% and a UN target of 0.70% which only six DAC donors have reached. Slovenia committed in 2005 to provide 0.33% of GNI as ODA by 2015 but pushed the target back to 2030 after the global economic crisis knocked its budget plans off course.
Slovenia’s aid is made up 100% of grants, with no loans included, and the country complies with the DAC’s ODA reporting rules. Slovenia has not yet reported other official flows or private flows to developing countries to the DAC, however, and is encouraged to do so.
The top five recipients of Slovenian aid in 2015 were Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo. Slovenia sent only 15.1% of its ODA to least-developed countries in 2015, below a DAC average of 28.4%.
Each DAC member is reviewed every five years in order to monitor its performance, hold it accountable for past commitments and recommend improvements. Reviews use input from officials in the Review country and partner countries – Montenegro and Cabo Verde for this Review – as well as civil society and the private sector. Read more on DAC Peer Reviews.
The DAC Peer Review of Slovenia – full report.
Main conclusions.
OECD Press Release.
MFA Slovenia Press Release.
6. 7. 2017 | PR, Reflection Forum
Reflection Forum on the run-up to the Summit of Trieste on the Western Balkans
Second Reflection Forum took place in Trieste, Italy between 26th and 27th of June and convened a wide range of different experts working in national and European administrations and institutions, as well as researchers affiliated with European think-tanks and Universities in the EU and Western Balkans. Event was organized under the patronage of Italian MFA as a process leading to the next intergovernmental conference on the Western Balkans hosted by Italy in July, 2017.
Second reflection forum was dedicated to regional cooperation, where three areas of reflection have been identified: the resurgence of bilateral and regional tensions, the gap between regional cooperation in repressive and enabling security matters and the pitfalls of gendered models of economic development.
Speakers were not delivering their presentations ex-cathedra, but used a participatory and interactive approach, where debates were moderated by experienced experts. Platform was provided for interesting debates touching upon issues like what comes after the Berlin process, where ideas spurred around building on achievements so far, but also finding a more participatory, innovative and regional approach, since actions so far have not yet provided viable results. It was also stressed that following years are crucial for deciding what do we actually want from EU and who do we want to see in it, since influence of non-EU countries in the WB is increasing. Further on debate revolved around contribution of the WB to the EU, and discussing what the region could actually bring to the Europe. On the other side, participants from the WB remained less optimistic and argued there is no such thing as enlargement, which is according to them not happening, and new, innovative solutions will have to be implemented; while questions arose on what has actually gone wrong, since even years of democratization and EU integration have not brought the region onto the right path. Importance of investing into infrastructure and knowledge was stressed as a prerequisite for any further development of WB.
At the end of two-days event, CEP has together with the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a closing dinner in Portorož, Slovenia. Diner was opened by Mr Peter Grk, National Coordinator for Western Balkans at the Slovenian MFA, who stressed the importance of such events, where opinion can be exchanged and common solutions provided. He also stressed the importance of stability in the Western Balkans for stability of all Europe, and shortly presented what Slovenia does in the field.
Event was:
Organised by Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Rome; Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE), Nice/Berlin/Istanbul; Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe (CFA), Vienna.
In cooperation with French Institute for International Relations (Ifri), Paris; Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Berlin; Austrian Institute for International Politics (Oiip), Vienna; European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), Paris; Centre for European Perspective (CEP), Ljubljana; Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory (BiEPAG), Graz; Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (OBC), Rovereto.
With the support of Central European Initiative (CEI); Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France; Federal Ministry for European, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria; Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany; Friedrich-Ebert Foundation (FES), Berlin/Sarajevo.
Read the programme.
