Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Paavo Väyrynen
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
Zagreb
CROATIA
Drav
a
a
Tis
Da
nu
be
a
Bosn
Sa Belgrade
in a
va
Dr
BOSNIA AND
HERZEGOVINA
Sarajevo
SERBIA
Morava
Timok
MONTENEGRO
Podgorica
KOSOVO
Pristina
Skopje
MACEDONIA
Tirana
Vo
a
da
ALBANIA
r
their objective. The European Union has con- opment policy objective in all of the countries
ducted membership negotiations with Croatia in the area.
since 2005. Macedonia has been a candidate Among the challenges to ecological sustain-
country since 2005. Montenegro submitted its ability, the cross-border challenges that affect
application for EU membership in December the state of the environment can be mentioned,
2008 and Albania in April 2009. The others are such as protection and use of water bodies, con-
expected to follow suit. In October 2009 the servation of biodiversity, and illegal logging of
Commission published a report on the relations forests. Coping with the challenges requires the
between the EU and Kosovo. participation of local communities in solving the
In their security policy the Western Balkan problems. Actions in the environmental sector
countries resort to membership in the North can contribute to economic growth, reduction
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or to of poverty, regional cooperation and safety.
NATO Partnership for Peace. Croatia and Alba- The countries and their status of develop-
nia have proceeded farthest: they became NATO ment are compared in the table in Appendix 1.
members in April 2009. Finland has supported the Western Balkans’
The Western Balkan economies are small. regional stability and security and EU inte-
Regarding economic sustainability, it is espe- gration comprehensively by means of foreign
cially important that the countries switch and security policy measures, including mili-
to a functioning market economy in an effi- tary and civilian crisis management, economic
cient and successful manner. Enhancement of and commercial activities, and development
employment and education is a central devel- cooperation.
ern Balkans, where the countries are small and Social sustainability is a central development
the same environmental issues concern several challenge in all Western Balkan countries. The
states. Cooperation and communication in con- theme comprises the promotion of good gov-
crete environmental issues can bring the coun- ernance, the rule of law, democracy, civil soci-
tries closer to each other and build confidence ety, equality, human rights and minority rights,
between them, thus contributing to regional and combating corruption and organised crime.
stability. The Finnish cooperation is targeted Social sustainability is closely related with the
at nature conservation, education for sustaina- other themes of the Framework Programme.
ble development and forestry education, among
other things.
●● complementarity
isations (NGO) and local organisations in Serbia,
Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. Moreover,
Finland has financed regional cooperation.
The Framework Programme takes into con-
sideration the experience gained from previous
●● effectiveness cooperation. Kosovo remains the country-spe-
cific priority in Finnish development cooper-
In addition, the cooperation is prepared and ation. In the other Western Balkan countries,
implemented by systematically taking into Finland carries out bilateral cooperation mainly
account the cross-cutting themes of Finland’s through the embassies’ Fund for Local Coopera-
development policy, such as the promotion of tion (FLC), the Institutional Cooperation Instru-
gender and social equality, the promotion of the ment (ICI) and projects of Finnish NGOs.
rights and equal participation opportunities for In addition to the country-specific coopera-
easily marginalised groups, and combating HIV/ tion, the Western Balkan countries are included
AIDS. Within development cooperation Finland in the regional cooperation supported by Fin-
emphasises the importance of the impact assess- land. Finnish support is also channelled to the
ments on the environment, people and gender as countries in the region through multilateral
a prerequisite for activities that support balanced cooperation.
development.
With respect to the Western Balkans, the
principles mean, among other things, the 3.2 Complementarity
aspects presented below.
With respect to complementarity, Finland pays
special attention to the IPA and other pro-
3.1 Coherence grammes of the European Commission. The
Commission and international financing institu-
Since 1999, Finland, like many other donor tions fund, among other things, large investment
countries, has carried out bilateral development projects both in various countries and regionally.
cooperation in the Western Balkans. Finland has With a view to complementarity and effective-
focused on Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. ness, Finland participates in close collaboration
Finland has also supported some inter-govern- and coordination with other donors and govern-
mental projects and projects of international ments in the IPA countries. The Finnish cooper-
organisations, Finnish non-governmental organ- ation complements the entire donor system.
tors in which she can contribute added value to Education Institutions (HEI-ICI) can be uti-
the countries’ development efforts; added value lised in cooperation between authorities in all
that is based on her own historical development the countries of the region, based on the specific
and Finnish expertise. Regarding the themes that needs of each country. Remarkable possibili-
have become the priorities in the Framework Pro- ties for cooperation between authorities are also
gramme, Finland can provide strong expertise. In provided by the EU funded Twinning projects.
addition to bilateral cooperation, Finland encour- Finnish government institutions are encouraged
ages Finnish experts and enterprises to partici- to participate actively in the competitive bid-
pate in the programmes of the European Union, ding procedures related to the projects.
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Devel- In addition to public administration and pri-
opment (EBRD), the World Bank, the United vate sector organisations, NGOs are impor-
Nations, the Organization for Security and Coop- tant partners in the implementation of the
eration in Europe (OSCE) and other actors. Framework Programme in the Western Balkan
It is also possible for Finnish organisations, countries.
in their cooperation with the Western Balkans, Finland’s representatives review the reali-
to utilise private-sector forms of support; one sation and effectiveness of the cooperation as
example is the Finnpartnership business part- part of the regular dialogue with the represent-
nership programme of Finnfund. The channels atives of the countries and other partners in the
of the Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) region, as well as during specific monitoring
are available for cooperation in higher educa- and assessment visits. The regular dialogue and
tion. The Institutional Cooperation Instrument meetings enable Finland to strengthen the part-
(ICI) of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the nership with the countries and influence con-
Institutional Cooperation Instrument for Higher structively the development of cooperation.
38% 5
4
3
Stability and security € 4,222,000 2
Aid for Trade € 9,850,000
1
Environment € 14,302,000
0
Social sustainability € 8,560,000 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Planning of cooperation € 631,000 Ongoing New initiatives
Programme together with the embassies. In the 4.1 Stability and security
Western Balkans, Finland has embassies in Ser-
bia, Croatia and Kosovo. Albania is under the The country-specific priority within the theme
responsibility of the Finnish Embassy in Athens. of stability and security is Kosovo, whose devel-
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Mon- opment will enhance the stability of the whole
tenegro are under the responsibility of a rov- region. Finland finances, among other things,
ing ambassador accredited from Helsinki. The small projects assisted by Finnish peacekeepers
Ministry intends to review and update the Pro- as a form of civil-military cooperation (CIMIC)
gramme in 2012 in relation to the development activities, and supports the resettlement of the
that has taken place in the region. Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). Stability and
The implementation of the programme security are closely related with the theme of
becomes concrete by way of projects and social sustainability.
other forms of cooperation under the different A new regional cooperation partner is the
themes. One project often contains elements ENVSEC (Environment and Security) consor-
related to several themes. tium. The consortium consists of the UN Envi-
ronment Programme (UNEP), the UN Economic tion with ENVSEC and research cooperation
Commission for Europe (UNECE), the UN during 2009. The cooperation with ENVSEC is
Development Programme (UNDP), the Organi- expected to cover the entire planning period. In
zation for Security and Cooperation in Europe the field of research, Finland prepares to support
(OSCE), the Regional Environmental Center cooperation, at least initially, for two years.
(REC), and NATO (as an observer). The disbursements for the cooperation under
As a new form of action Finland supports the theme of stability and security are estimated
Finnish research institutions’ cooperation activ- to total about 4 million euros during the plan-
ities in the field of security and development ning period. Of this, new initiatives account for
with a view to enhancing the capacity of their nearly 3 million euros.
counterparts in the Western Balkans.
Regarding the new initiatives, Finland has
the intention to prepare and launch coopera-
bia is the highest developed country in the West- Among the new initiatives, Finland’s support to
ern Balkans and naturally suited for the thematic WBIF/EBRD for investments in the Western Bal-
cooperation in the field of Aid for Trade. kans is scheduled towards the end of the plan-
Albania is among the poorest countries in ning period, 2012–2013. In Kosovo, Finland
the region, and therefore it would be sensi- intends to identify, in collaboration with authori-
ble for Finland to support development which ties and other partners, a project supporting local
advances production activities in the private production, to be launched in 2010 and to con-
sector and economic growth. Finland intends tinue until the end of the planning period. Coop-
to determine the focus and preconditions for eration with Serbia and Albania is to be identified
cooperation in more detail once the new gov- and prepared together with authorities and other
ernment has commenced its work after the partners during 2009–2010 so that the actual
elections in 2009. implementation could take place in 2010–2013.
The disbursements for the cooperation under pality. In the forestry sector in Serbia, Finland
the theme of Aid for Trade are estimated to finances a support project implemented by
total about 10 million euros during the plan- the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
ning period. Of this, new initiatives account for United Nations (FAO).
about 7 million euros. Concerning new initiatives Finland will sup-
port the actual implementation phase (2010–
2013) of the sustainable development project in
4.3 Environment Dragash. Regional environmental cooperation is
planned to be continued in 2012–2013 when
The environmental sector and forestry con- the ongoing commitments have expired.
stitute a priority of the Finnish regional coop- The disbursements for the cooperation under
eration in the Western Balkans. Finland has the theme of the environment are estimated to
international inter-governmental and non-gov- total about 14 million euros during the plan-
ernmental organisations as strategic partners. ning period. Of this, new initiatives account for
Finland’s main partners include the Regional about 4 million euros.
Environmental Centre (REC) within regional
environmental cooperation and the European
Forest Institute (EFI) within the forestry sector. 4.4 Social sustainability
Environmental cooperation is also possible
with specific countries, for example in collab- Under the theme of social sustainability, Fin-
oration with international organisations or by land focuses on Kosovo, where the situation
utilising the FLC and ICI instruments. In Kos- is the most fragile. Special attention is given
ovo, Finland supports the UNDP’s sustaina- to development at the local level. In that area
ble development project in Dragash munici- the various components of social sustainability
among others, the OSCE in matters related to in the Western Balkan countries through Twin-
legislative drafting. ning projects funded by the European Union.
In bilateral country-specific cooperation with As a new initiative the Programme includes
local NGOs the embassies can utilise the FLC provision for regional human rights coopera-
instrument for the strengthening of civil society. tion in 2009–2010. Cooperation in the field of
The ICI instrument is available for cooperation education in Kosovo is planned to be continued
between authorities to develop public admin- in 2010–2013. Funding has preliminarily been
istration. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs also allocated for possible ICI projects in the West-
supports the projects of Finnish NGOs. These ern Balkan countries for 2012–2013.
instruments are well suited for supporting the The disbursements for the cooperation under
preservation of cultural heritage and the promo- the theme of social sustainability, including
tion of cultural development, thus enhancing FLC, are estimated to total about 9 million euros
social sustainability. during the planning period. Of this, new initia-
Finnish authorities also have the opportunity tives account for about 3 million euros.
to participate in public administration reforms
Bosnia and
Albania Herzegovina Kosovo Croatia Macedonia Montenegro Serbia
28 Nov. 1 March 17 Feb. 25 June 8 Sept. 3 June 5 June
Established 1912 1992 2008 1991 1991 2006 2006
Population (million) 3.64 4.61 1.8 4.49 2.07 0.67 7.38
Area (sq. km) 28,748 51,197 10,887 56,594 25,713 13,812 77,474
Life expectancy 77.96 78.5 ... 75.35 74.68 ... 73.9
Urban population 47% 47% ... 57% 67% 60% 52%
Unemployment 12.50% 29% 40% 14.80% 34.50% 14.70% 18.80%
People living under
the poverty line 25% 25% 37% 11% 29.80% 7% 6.50%
Place in TI’s
corruption
statistics * 85 / 180 92 / 180 ... 62 / 180 72 / 180 85 / 180 85 / 180
GNP (billion
dollars) 13.52 19.36 5 63.95 18.52 6.6 80.74
GNP growth 6.10% 5.60% 5.10% 4.80% 4.60% 6.50% 5.60%
GNP per capita
(dollars) 6,000 6,500 2,300 18,300 9,100 10,100 10,800
GNP by sector
agriculture 20% 10.2% 20% 7% 11.4% ... 12.3%
industry 15% 23.9% 20% 31.6% 27.2% ... 24.2%
service branches 59.5% 66% 60% 61.4% 61.4% ... 63.5%
Exports/Imports 1.416 / 5.092 / 0.527 / 12.36 / 4.397 / 0.171 / 8.824 /
(billion dollars) 4.844 11.94 2.6 25.84 6.663 0.602 18.35
Actual Plan
2. Aid for Trade –2008 2009–2013
EBRD Western Balkans Fund Regional 2006– Development of investments 500,000 500,000
and the private sector
Support Programme in Rural Kosovo, 2008–2010 Rural development 400,000 800,000
Areas / Finn Church Aid (FCA) Serbia
Sustainable Employment Kosovo 2008–2011 Development of employment 4,500,000 1,500,000
Development Policy Program and public financial
(SEDPP) / World Bank management
New initiatives:
Western Balkans Investment Regional 2012–2013 Development of investments 1,000,000
Framework (WBIF) / EBRD and the private sector
Local Development Kosovo 2010–2013 Development of local 3,750,000
economic production
Aid for Trade Serbia 2010–2013 Improvement of economic 1,400,000
production capacity
Aid for Trade Albania 2010–2013 Improvement of economic 900,000
production capacity
Aid for Trade in total 9 850 000
Macedonia:
●● Kalevi Sorsa Foundation / Integration and participation of minorities, 2008–2009
Kosovo:
●● Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD)/ Organisational training and sign language development project in Kosovo,
2003–2011
●● FIDA International / Youth centres in Mitrovica and Vushtrr, 2000–2010
●● Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK) / Building of social dialogue in Kosovo, 2004–2009
Operation expenses ca. €5,000,000 (1.1.–30.9.2009). For the year 2008, the expenses totalled
ca. €5,000,000, of which nearly 100% was reported as Official Development Assistance (ODA).
PO BOX 429
FI-00023 GOVERNMENT, FINLAND
Internet: formin.finland.fi/developmentpolicy and global.finland.fi
E-mail: keoinfo@formin.fi