Implications of the EU 2020+ Budget Negotiations for South East Europe (I/II)

Mar 28, 2018 , Ljubljana, Slovenia Webinar

English

This was the first of two webinars that are organized with the aim to introduce the concept of public finances at the European Union (EU) level, especially its multi-annual financial framework and annual budget. Both webinars discuss the challenges in the negotiations on EU financial framework for the post-2020 period, and raise awareness about the implications of these negotiations on funds available to South East European (SEE) countries.

As the result of the United Kingdom's referendum on its EU membership, publication of the European Commission’s proposal of multi-annual financial framework beyond 2020 has been postponed for May 2018, by which time the impact of Brexit on the EU's finances should be clearer. This financial framework will have to 'fund more with less' since it is under increasing pressure to boost employment and growth, improve governance of the euro area, strengthen security and military cooperation, manage migration flows, and tackle climate change.

Since this webinar took place before publication of the European Commission’s proposal of multi-annual financial framework for the post-2020 period, the main topics covered included:

conceptual issues associated with the multi-annual financial perspectives,
the key EU challenges that will be addressed in the forthcoming multi-annual financial framework, and
the position of pre-accession funds in these negotiations.

What you learned?

This webinar was an opportunity to learn and discuss the key features of EU public finances, i.e. its medium-term financial framework and annual budget, prior to the beginning of negotiations about the post-2020 EU budget, including the implications on funds to be allocated for pre-accession purposes.

After attending this webinar, participants :

Understood the concept of public finances at the EU level, especially the difference between medium-term financial framework and annual budget,
Became familiar with the key differences between the EU budget and national budgets,
Discussed the key challenges faced by the EU that will influence negotiations about the post-2020 EU budget,
Examined recent trends and forthcoming challenges associated with the EU pre-accession funds.

To find more details watch THIS VIDEO.

The webinar was held in English. It was designed as partaking and combine subject matter presentations while allowing time for questions for presenters.

Who attended?

This webinar was designed for officials of finance ministries, line ministries and other key government actors involved in the EU accession process, especially those involved in programming and managing the EU pre-accession funds. Furthermore, the webinar was also relevant to individuals in other public institutions, non-governmental organizations, academia, and business community with a general interest in EU financial affairs.

This webinar was available to public, and there were no limits to the number of participants per country or institution.

Useful Reading

„The EU budget after 2020’’, Begg I (2017), SIEPS
„White paper on the future of Europe’’, (2017), European Commission
„Reflection paper on the future of EU finances’’, (2017), European Commission
„EU-Western Balkans Strategy: a credible enlargement perspective“, (2018), European Commission

Practical information

When: March 28, 2018 from 10:00 until 11:30 CEST.

Where: From the convenience of your own computer, tablet or smartphone; you were encouraged to jointly connect with your colleagues.

How: You needed to install the WebEX to your device. This take only a few minutes but may require informing your system administrator. For detailed technical information please read the Guidelines on how to attend a webinar.

Participation is free of charge.

Lead Experts

Mojmir Mrak, CEF Senior Advisor and Professor at the University of Ljubljana

Mr. Mrak is a Jean Monnet professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana. He has more than 20 years of experience in designing and implementing the Slovenian government’s policy in international finance and EU accession. He was the chief external debt negotiator of Slovenia, and responsible for credit Slovenia’s early arrangements with the EBRD and WB. Between 1998 and 2002, he was chief advisor of the Slovenian government on financial aspects of EU accession. He coordinated the Slovenian government’s analytical activities with respect to the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 financial frameworks of the EU, and is currently involved in negotiations on the 2020+ financial framework of the EU. Mr. Mrak has served as a consultant to numerous international organizations and several governments in SEE. He is Senior Program Advisor at the CEF.

Alenka Košir, Head of Department for Enlargement and SEE of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia

Ms. Košir has been working at the Slovene Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2000. In past 18 years, her career progressed as she changed several positions within the institution. From 2000 to 2004 she worked within the Diplomatic protocol, Department for Neighboring Countries and Southeast Europe, and Office of State Secretary. In 2007 and 2008 she served as CIVCOM Assistant during Slovenian EU Presidency, after which she joined the Department for Multilateral organizations, OSCE and CoE Unit. In 2008 she started heading the Unit for Western Balkans, and in 2010 she become the Head of Department for Southeast Europe and Enlargement.

[Click here, for information on the second webinar scheduled for June 2018]