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European Commission / World Bank

Annotated Agenda

Day 1 - October 25

Opening Session (09.00 - 09.40)

Welcome by the Romanian Government

Opening remarks by the European Commission

Opening remarks by the World Bank

Statement by the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact

Statement by the EU Presidency

Statement by the European Parliament

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During the opening session, the two main objectives of the conference will be recalled:

First, to reaffirm the political commitment of the countries of the region to foster reforms and to strengthen regional cooperation and the commitment of the international community to support this process.

Second, for the Donor Community to reach an agreement on the strategies for the priority areas of the Stability Pact and to review progress made in putting into place funding mechanisms for those areas.

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Session 1: Overall political and economic framework (09.40 - 12.30)

1.1 Introduction by the European Commission and the World Bank (each 15 minutes)
The Commission will present a report on the processes that frame the political and economic reforms in the region, focusing on the Stabilization and Association Process (SAP) for the countries of the Western Balkans and the IMF / World Bank will provide an assessment of overall economic progress and the status of structural reforms in the region since the start of the Stability Pact. Both presentations will concentrate on regional issues.

1.2 Statements by Regional Beneficiaries (50 minutes)
High level representatives from each SEE country will outline in brief statements achievements in their reform agenda and reiterate their commitment to regional cooperation, outlining their particular priorities. This session will be introduced by a Minister from the region who will make an overview statement that consolidates the remarks of the regional beneficiaries on major achievements and prospects for regional cooperation.

1.3 Discussion period (90 minutes)
High level representatives from donor countries will have the opportunity to give their assessment of progress in regional cooperation since the Kosovo crisis and report on their present and future support to SEE.

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12.30 - 14.00 Lunch

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(A World Bank / European Commission / Stability Pact / Romanian Government Press Conference will be held at 12.30)

Session 2: Tightening Economic Links (14.00 -16.15)

2.1 Introduction by the Co-Chair (10 minutes)
The Co-Chairman will explain the aims of this session: to review the progress in generating economic development and economic links based on market principles in the context of regional co-operation and European integration.

2.2 Presentation by Stability Pact Working Table II (20 minutes)
The Chairman of WT II will present his report on the progress of implementing strategies in the priority areas of WTII: trade liberalization and facilitation; fostering private sector investment; regional infrastructure and environment. He will outline the strategies, action plans/work programs and prospective funding arrangements in the areas concerned.

2.3 Statement by countries of the region (15 minutes)
The regional co-chairman of Working Table II will make a consolidated statement reflecting the views of the countries of the region reaffirming their commitments to make progress in the priority areas.

2.4 Recent developments in trade - presentation by the World Bank and FYR Macedonia, as chair of the Working Group (25 minutes including discussion)
The World Bank will present a paper reviewing progress in implementing improved trade arrangements in the region. The FYR of Macedonia will make a short presentation on progress in the implementation of the MoU on Trade liberalization and facilitation.

2.5 Development of Regional Infrastructure (65 minutes including discussion)
The European Commission will report on strategies for energy and transport (10 minutes). The EIB will make a presentation on transport and air traffic control strategies (5 minutes). The EBRD will report on water strategies (5 minutes). The purpose of the session is to highlight the role of the strategies in the process of identification and prioritization of regional projects. The Chairman of the Infrastructure Steering Group (ISG) will report on the status of project identification, review and implementation. The Group will underline the importance of private participation in infrastructure.

Session 3: Private Sector Development (16.15 - 19.10)

3.1 Introduction by the Co-Chair (5 minutes)
The Co-chairman will explain the aims of this session: to underline the crucial role to be played by the private sector, and the need for better policies to improve the environment for the private sector to operate.

3.2 Opening Remarks by the EBRD (10 minutes)

3.3 Keynote Speech by the co-chairman of the BAC (15 minutes)

3.4 Investment Climate (15 minutes)
Presentation by the OECD on the current status of the Investment Compact and remarks by FIAS on the investment climate.

3.5 Messages from the private sector (30 minutes)
There will be short presentations by a foreign strategic institutional investor, a multinational corporation investing in the region, and a response by a Government Official from the region.

3.6 Discussion (15 minutes)

3.7 Presentation by the EBRD on the progress of regional private sector initiatives (10 minutes)
The EBRD will review progress on the various initiatives underway in the context of the Stability Pact.

3.8 Infrastructure: Public Private Partnerships (35 minutes)
Presentation by the EBRD and UNECE, and interventions by a private investor and by a representative of a public utility from the region describing the experience of specific projects.

3.9 SME development (35 minutes)
Presentation by the IFC, interventions by a banker active in SME lending, an SME entrepreneur, and a response by a Government Official from the region.

3.10 Discussion (15 minutes)

DAY 2 - October 26

Session 4: Strategies for the priority areas selected under Working Table I and review of funding mechanisms in place for future actions (09.00 - 11.00)

4.1 Introduction by the Conference Co-Chair (5 minutes)
The Co-Chair will explain the aims of this session: to review progress in preparation of strategies in the priority areas of Table I and to review the funding mechanisms in place for future actions.

4.2 Presentation by Stability Pact Working Table I (20 minutes)
The Chairman of WT I will present a report on the progress with the strategies for the four priority areas agreed at the Regional Table in June 2001: refugee return; media; education and youth; inter-ethnic relations and cross-border cooperation. The Chairman will outline briefly the strategies, action plans/work programs and prospective funding arrangements in the areas concerned. He will also discuss the commitments made, or interest expressed, by the donors to support their implementation.

4.3 Statement(s) by countries of the region (15 minutes)
The regional co-chairman of Working Table I will make a consolidated statement reflecting the views of the countries of the region reaffirming their commitments to make progress in the priority areas.

4.4 Discussion period ( 80 minutes)
Donors will have the opportunity to present their views on the priority areas discussed and to express their interest in supporting various activities.

Session 5: Strategies for the priority areas under Working Table III and review of funding mechanisms in place for future actions (11.00 - 13.15)

5. 1 Introduction by the Conference Co-Chair (5 minutes)
The Co-Chair will explain the aims of this session: to review progress in the preparation of strategies in priority areas of Working Table III and actions being undertaken by key players in these priority areas (in particular the EU in Justice and Home Affairs); and to review the funding mechanisms in place for future actions.

5.2 Presentation by Stability Pact Chairman of Working Table III (20 minutes)
The Chairman of WTIII will inform delegates about strategies, action plans/work programs and prospective funding arrangements for the priority areas of this Working Table: security sector reform; mine action and small arms and light weapons; disaster preparedness and prevention; fight against corruption and organized crime; migration and asylum; law enforcement and institution building. He will also report on the regional National Coordinators meeting.

5.3 Presentation by European Commission on Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) issues in the region (15 minutes)
The European Commission will make a statement JHA in the region. It will include a general overview of the EC policies in the area of asylum and immigration, organized crime, and the main EU assistance programmes in this sector being supported by PHARE, CARDS, TACIS. Current activities in the Western Balkans will be reviewed and the EU/JHA strategy for the Western Balkans presented, including needed coordination between the national and regional programmes.

5.4 Statement(s) by countries of the region (15 minutes)
The regional co-chairman of Working Table III will make a consolidated statement reflecting the views of the countries of the region reaffirming their commitments to make progress in the priority areas.

5.5 Discussion period (80 minutes)
Donors will have the opportunity to express or confirm interest in the priority areas discussed.

Concluding Session (14.45 - 16.30)

6.1 Presentation by World Bank/European Commission Joint Office (20 minutes)
Joint Office to present a report on donor financing in the region.

6.2 Discussion period (75 minutes)
Representatives of the donor countries will have the opportunity to report on their present and future support to the region. The countries of the region will give their point of view on the allocation of donor support.

6.3 Concluding statements by the Stability Pact and the Co-Chairmen (5 minutes each)

6.4 Closing statement by the Romanian Government as host and on behalf of SEE countries (5 minutes)

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