SECTORAL MONITORING COMMITTEES HELD MEETINGS

On 20 October 2019, sectoral monitoring committees organized their regular meetings, as follows:

• 14^th meeting of the sectoral monitoring committee for transition assistance and institution building (TAIB);
• 3^rd meeting of the sectoral monitoring committee for the rule of law and fundamental rights;
• 1^st (constitutional) meeting of the sectoral monitoring committee for democracy and governance;
• 3^rd meeting of the sectoral monitoring committee for competitiveness, innovation, agriculture and rural development;
• 1^st (constitutional) meeting of the sectoral monitoring committee for education and employment

All meetings were chaired by high representatives from IPA beneficiaries, i.e. ministers and deputy ministers, together with representative from the European Commission as the co-chair.

Discussions involved past commitments and track-records of line ministries in implementation of projects under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II), as well as challenges they face in day-to-day work on these projects. Relevant to the need and interest, meetings were also attended by civil society organizations. Some civil society organizations in attendance are also members of sectoral monitoring committees, while others monitor policies and discussions at these meetings.

ABOUT SECTORAL MONITORING COMMITTEES

IPA sectoral monitoring committees are bodies formed in compliance with Article 19 of the EU Regulation no. 447/2014 and Article 53 of the Framework Agreement between the European Commission and the Republic of North Macedonia on the arrangements for implementation of the Union’s financial assistance for the Republic of Macedonia under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II).

These committees are formed per policy area or programme, including at sector-wide level when relevant. The purpose of sectoral monitoring committees is to review effectiveness, efficiency, quality, coherence, coordination and compliance in implementation of relevant national and regional sector strategies. In particular, they measure progress in attainment of objectives defined for actions and expected outcomes, results and impact through indicators related to the baseline situation, and progress in terms of budget execution.

Members of sectoral monitoring committees are representatives from relevant national bodies and authorities, stakeholders, such as economic, social and environmental partners, and, when relevant, international organizations, including international financing institutions. Stakeholder representatives are selected according to rules and criteria defined in the rules of procedure.