4. 7. 2017 | Macedonia - Finance, PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
On the margins of the International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia within the framework of support to the Republic of Macedonia, on 29 June 2017 the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia Oliver Spasovski received a Slovenian delegation in the following composition: Andreja Dolničar Jeraj, CEP Programme Director and Head of Delegation; Harij Furlan, Head of State Prosecutions Office for Organised Crime and Corruption; Darko Majhenič, Director of National Investigation Bureau; Damjana Slapar Burkat, Head of Sector for Investigation in the Financial Administration; Jože Levašič, District State Prosecutor in the State Prosecutions Office for Organised Crime and Corruption; Igor Razpotnik, Head of Investigations in National Investigation Bureau; and Karmen Šemrl, Expert for Knowledge Transfer.
Minister thanked for the support provided by Slovenia to the Ministry of Interior and Macedonia in the accession to the EU in optimising the system of financial investigations and confiscation of unlawful proceeds of crime and property of illegal origin. Minister Spasovski and Programme Director Andreja Dolničar Jeraj agreed that the cooperation and coordination among law enforcement authorities in financial investigations of organised crime and corruption is of particular importance. Minister Spasovski reaffirmed willingness of the Ministry of Interior regarding reform initiative and expressed political support for achievement of sustainable results and expectations that well established cooperation will be further strengthened with additional Slovenian’s support in any of other reform needs.
O slovenskem razvojnem sodelovanju z ministrom za notranje zadeve Republike Makedonije Spasovskim
Ob robu aktivnosti v okviru projekta mednarodnega razvojnega sodelovanja Republike Slovenije z Republiko Makedonijo je v četrtek, 29. 6. 2017, minister za notranje zadeve Oliver Spasovski sprejel slovensko delegacijo v naslednji sestavi: Andreja Dolničar Jeraj, programska direktorica in vodja delegacije; Harij Furlan, vodja Specializiranega državnega tožilstva, Darko Majhenič, direktor Nacionalnega preiskovalnega urada, Damjana Slapar Burkat, vodja Sektorja za preiskave Finančne uprave, Jože Levašič, okrožni državni tožilec v Specializiram državnem tožilstvu, Igor Razpotnik, vodja preiskav na Nacionalnem preiskovalnem uradu, in Karmen Šemrl, strokovnjakinja za prenos izkušenj.
Minister se je zahvalil za pomoč, ki jo Slovenija namenja MNZ in Makedoniji pri približevanju EU v optimizaciji sistema finančnih preiskav in odvzemov protipravno pridobljene premoženjske koristi in premoženja nezakonitega izvora. Minister Spasovski in programska direktorica Andreja Dolničar Jeraj sta se strinjala, da je zelo pomembno dobro sodelovanje in koordinacija med organi v finančnih preiskavah organiziranega kriminala in korupcije. Minister Spasovski je potrdil pripravljenost Ministrstva za notranje zadeve glede prevzemanja reformne pobude in izrazil politično podporo za doseganje trajnostnih rezultatov ter pričakovanje, da se bo dobro sodelovanje še utrdilo s podporo Slovenije v še kateri od reformnih potreb MNZ.
1. 7. 2017 | Macedonia - Finance, PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
In the period from 26 to 29 June 2017, the first phase of the capacity building process in the field of financial investigations and confiscation of unlawful proceeds and property of unlawful origin took place in Macedonia.
The two-day workshop was attended by 15 representatives of the Ministry of the Interior / Police (who are in charge of the project on Macedonian side), Customs Administration, Financial Police, the Directorate for Money Laundering Prevention and the Public Revenue Administration, while five representatives of the Ministry of the Interior Interior / Police participated in the individual councelling/coaching. In the exchange of experiences, the representatives of Macedonia and Slovenia have identified differences and related advantages and disadvantages that occur in the conduct of financial investigations. As one of the possible tools for more effective prevention of organised crime and corruption and upgrading of the system for confiscation of unlawfull proceeds under criminal law, participants also studied experiences in confiscation of property of illegal origin in civil justice procedure. In the discussions the participants agreed that only the measure which can be effectively implemented can lead criminals to the conclusion that crime does not pay.
This is a two-year project (2017-2018) funded from the Program of International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia and implemented by the Ministry of the Interior/ Police, State Prosecutor’s Office for Organised Crime and Corruption and Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, led by the Center for European Perspective.
Uspešna izmenjava izkušenj Makedonije in Slovenije o finančnih preiskavah
V Makedoniji je v času od 26. do 29. junija 2017 potekala prva faza procesa krepitve zmogljivosti na področju finančnih preiskav in odvzemov protipravne premoženjske koristi in premoženja nezakonitega izvora.
V dvodnevni delavnici je sodelovalo 15 predstavnikov Ministrstva za notranje zadeve/Policije (ki so tudi nosilci projekta na makedonski strani), Carinske uprave, Finančne policije, Uprave za preprečevanja pranja denarja in Uprave za javne prihodke, v enodnevnem individualnem svetovanju pa 5 predstavnikov Ministrstva za notranje zadeve/Policije. V izmenjavi izkušenj so predstavniki Makedonije in Slovenije ugotavljali razlike in z razlikami povezane prednosti in slabosti, ki se pojavljajo v izvajanju finančnih preiskav. Kot enega izmed možnih orodij za učinkovitejše preprečevanje organiziranega kriminala in korupcije in nadgradnjo sistema odvzema nezakonito pridobljene premoženjske koristi v okviru kazenskopravne zakonodaje, so udeleženci preučevali tudi odvzem premoženja nezakonitega izvora v civilni pravdi. V diskusiji so se udeleženci strinjali, da le ukrep, ki ga je možno učinkovito izvesti, lahko storilce kaznivih dejanj in kriminalne združbe privede so sklepa, da se kriminal ne izplača.
Gre za dvoletni projekt (2017-2018), ki je financiran iz sredstev Programa mednarodnega razvojnega sodelovanja Republike Slovenije in ga izvajajo Ministrstvo za notranje zadeve/ Policija, Specializirano državno tožilstvo in Finančna uprava Republike Slovenije pod vodstvom Centra za evropsko prihodnost.
28. 6. 2017 | Erasmus+, PR, Youth
An international mobility project in the scope of Erasmus + programme of the European Union “Be Ready for European Values” under the title “Non-Formal Education System in Slovenia” has concluded yesterday with an awarding ceremony.
During the 10 days of the youth exchange on non-formal education through soft methods and non-formal approaches, the participants also got a chance to gain an insight into the system of non-formal education in Slovenia, provided by the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth, Employment Service of Slovenia, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Nefiks Institute, Youth Council of Slovenia, Slovenian Student Union, Movit Institute and Youth Office of the City of Ljubljana. Students also visited IEDC Bled School of Management, EMUNI University in Piran as well as Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana to learn about recognition of non-formal education on different faculties. Visit to the House of the European Union (EU) in Ljubljana highlighted the opportunities for youth in the EU and added the European perspective to the matter.
Throughout the youth exchange the participants underwent preparations for the European Parliament simulation exercise, which was held at the Ljubljana City Hall on Tuesday. Participants had to prepare their opening speeches and arguments for or against non-formal education’s recognition and validation comparable to formal education. The simulation was opened by Zoran Jankovič, Mayor of the City of Ljubljana and Katarina Gorenc from the Youth Office of the City of Ljubljana explained why is Ljubljana youth friendly municipality. The simulation exercise that was chaired by Sabina Carli began with opening speeches and continued with arguments pro and contra. At the end, the document on non-formal education’s recognition and validation comparable to formal education with few amendments was accepted by the great majority.
After the simulation conclusion, the participants were addressed by H.E. Mr Miodrag Mugoša, Ambassador of the Montenegro in Ljubljana, that awarded the certificates.
The project “Be Ready for European Values” contributes to active participation of youth in social, economic and political development of Montenegro through promotion of EU values, by improving the quality of youth work and non-formal education in Montenegro, and by fostering cooperation with Slovenia and practical transfer of know-how. The project aims to develop a non-formal educational system in Montenegro that would raise awareness and enhance practical skills that are needed for more marketable and proactive role in the labour market.
Centre for European Perspective is conducting the project in cooperation with the Centre for Monitoring and Research from Montenegro, Centre for International Studies from Croatia, University of Donja Gorica from Montenegro and Art Communications from Montenegro.
The program is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU under the Key Action 2: Capacity Building in the Field of Youth – KA2: Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices.
21. 6. 2017 | Erasmus+, PR, Youth
Centre for European Perspective is hosting an international mobility project “Be Ready for European Values – Non-Formal Education System in Slovenia” with 50 young participants from Montenegro. The mobility program, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union under the Key Action 2: Capacity Building in the field of Youth – KA2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices, includes a week-long exchange in Slovenia.
Project aims to develop innovative non-formal educational system in order to raise awareness about democratic life and practical skills needed for marketable and proactive role in the labor market, opening perspectives for entrepreneurial ideas and work at the EU and national level.
Project activities in the scope of Youth non-formal education system in Slovenia are designed to support the development of knowledge and evidence-based youth policy in Montenegro. Participants will undergo intensive lectures, workshops, study visits in Ljubljana, Kamnik, Piran and Bled and simulation exercise, which they will plan and prepare throughout the week.
While learning about non-formal education through soft methods and non-formal approaches, the participants will also get a chance to gain an insight into the system of non-formal education in Slovenia, provided by the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth, Employment Service of Slovenia, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. The interplay between formal and non-formal education will be further discussed at the IEDC Bled School of Management in Bled, EMUNI University in Piran and Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana.
In addition, youth organisations, NEFIKS Institute, Slovenian Student Union, and National Youth Council of Slovenia, will indicate the role of civil society organisations and NGOs in the non-formal learning processes. The Information Office of the European Parliament and the European Commission in Slovenia, and MOVIT INSTITUTE will add the European perspective to the matter. The project will conclude with an address by the mayor of the City of Ljubljana, a presentation by the Office for Youth of the City of Ljubljana and an awarding ceremony with the Embassy of the Republic of Montenegro.
A special part of the exchange will be dedicated to the preparation of the simulation of youth-led decision making process, where youngsters will discuss the tools and mechanisms of recognition of non-formal education in the formal education institutions.
“Be Ready for European Values” contributes to active participation of youth in social, economic and political development of Montenegro through promotion of EU values, by improving the quality of youth work and non-formal education in Montenegro, and by fostering cooperation with Slovenia and practical transfer of know-how.
The project is conducted in cooperation with the Centre for Monitoring and Research (Podgorica, Montenegro), which is coordinating the umbrella project, Centre for International Studies (Zagreb, Croatia), University of Donja Gorica (Montenegro) and Art Communications (Montenegro).
The program is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU under the Key Action 2: Capacity Building in the Field of Youth – KA2: Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices.
19. 6. 2017 | Macedonia - Finance, PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
Macedonia will receive support for the accession to the EU in the Chapter 24 in the framework of the programme of Slovenia’s Development Cooperation and the focus of this support will in next two years (2017-2018) be to build capacities in the area of financial investigations. From 26 to 29 June 2017 a workshop will take place in Macedonia involving those in Slovenian and Macedonia who direct the work of investigation and suppression of organised crime and corruption.
They will exchange experiences and recognise differences, which can significantly influence the success of identification and confiscation of proceeds of crime and property of unlawful origin. Since the main motive of perpetrators of organised crime as well as means for their functioning, is to gain proceeds, financial investigations and confiscation of proceeds of crime are important tool in fight against organised crime and corruption. The project, managed by the Centre for European Perspective, is conducted in the cooperation with the Ministry of Interior/Police, Ministry of Justice, Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office for Organised Crime and Corruption and Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia.
The project is part of the programme activities funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia with funds for international development cooperation.
Makedoniji pomoč Slovenije na področju finančnih preiskav
Makedonija bo v okviru programa mednarodnega razvojnega sodelovanja Slovenije prejela pomoč pri približevanju EU v poglavju 24, pomoč pa se bo v naslednjih dveh letih (2017-2018) osredotočala na krepitev zmogljivosti na področju finančnih preiskav. Od 26.-29.6.2017 bo v Makedoniji potekala delavnica, na kateri bodo izmenjali izkušnje tisti, ki so v Sloveniji in Makedoniji vključeni v usmerjane dela pri preiskovanju in pregonu organiziranega kriminala in korupcije, in ugotavljali razlike, ki lahko pomembno vplivajo na uspešnost ugotavljanja in odvzema protipravno pridobljene premoženjske koristi in premoženja nezakonitega izvora. Ker je glavni motiv in hkrati sredstvo za delovanje storilcev organiziranega kriminala pridobitev premoženjske koristi, so finančne preiskave in odvzem premoženja nezakonitega izvora pomembno orodje v boju proti organiziranemu kriminalu in korupciji. Projekt, ki ga vodi Center za evropsko prihodnost, se izvaja v sodelovanju z Ministrstvom za notranje zadeve/Policijo, Ministrstvom za pravosodje, Specializiranim državnim tožilstvom in Finančno upravo Republike Slovenije.
Projekt je del programskih aktivnosti, ki jih financira Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve iz sredstev za mednarodno razvojno sodelovanje.
14. 6. 2017 | PR, Reflection Forum
Reflection Forum on the run-up to the Summit of Trieste on the Western Balkans will convene the community of European experts working on Western Balkans’ EU integration to reflect on the challenges bedevilling the EU’s enlargement policy, once deemed the EU’s most successful foreign policy, and the contribution research can make to address these. Taking place on 26 – 27 June 2017 in Trieste, Italy, reflection forum will provide a platform for exchange of perspectives between experts working in national and European administrations and institutions as well as researchers affiliated to European think-tanks and universities in the EU and the Western Balkans.
This second reflection forum, dedicated to regional cooperation, will reflect on the enlargement and the Western Balkans among the policy community, the media and the general public. Three areas of reflection have been delineated: the resurgence of bilateral and regional tensions, the gap between regional cooperation in enabling security matters and the pitfalls of gendered models of economic development.
Speakers at the forum will not deliver their presentations ex cathedra but participate interactively in debates moderated by experienced experts. The reflection forum and reflection conference will set the basis for the elaboration of reflection papers, disseminated across the policy community. They will be followed up by a new series of outreach events (panel discussions), to be organised throughout the Western Balkans as well as in the Berlin Process countries in autumn and spring 2017-2018.
Centre for European Perspective is co-hosting one dinner in Portorož, Slovenia with the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The welcoming address will be delivered by Peter Grk, National Coordinator for Western Balkans at Slovenian MFA and Darja Bavdaž Kuret, State Secretary of Slovenian MFA.
Background of the Reflection Forum initiative
In 2014, in the wake of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, initiated an intergovernmental process with the countries of the Western Balkans (the so-called Berlin Process). Its aim is to improve cooperation throughout the region, put “fundamentals first”, and thereby reinvigorate European integration. The first conference, organised in Berlin, was followed by a second one in Vienna in 2015 and a third one in Paris in 2016. A fourth conference will be convened by Italy in 2017, before the process expectedly ends one year later, in 2018, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
In order to encourage a European dialogue amongst think tanks and academic institutions on the Western Balkans and their European perspective, the CIFE, CFA, IAI and IFRI, together with other institutions, including CEP, launched in 2015 an initiative that culminated with the organisation of a “reflection forum” on the Western Balkans in May 2016 in Paris. The reflection forum took place in the run-up to the conference on the Western Balkans hosted by President François Hollande on 4 July 2016. It created an open platform of exchange for more than 80 key experts coming from all over Europe. This first reflection forum addressed some of the topical challenges the EU and Western Balkan countries face, from socio-economic convergence or migration security to democratisation or geopolitics. In the weeks following the event, an expert report was elaborated in cooperation with the EUISS and transmitted to French authorities before the Paris Conference of July 2016. In the following months, a series of outreach events (panel discussions) were organised throughout the Western Balkans in order to nourish the reflection initiated in Paris on the European politics and EU enlargement.
This process of reflection and think tank mobilisation will be continued throughout 2017. On 5th April, a high-level reflection conference, organised under the patronage of the Italian MFA, started the process leading to the second edition of the reflection forum, organised on 26-27th June 2017, in the run-up to the next intergovernmental conference on the Western Balkans hosted by Italy in July 2017.
Organizers and supporters
Reflection forum is organised and supported by Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE), Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe (CFA), French Institute for International Relations (Ifri), Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Austrian Institute for International Politics (Oiip), European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory (BiEPAG), Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (OBC), Central European Initiative (CEI), Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, MIB Trieste School of Management, 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), and Centre for European Perspective (CEP).
