In Focus: Signing of the CEF Headquarters Agreement

With successful conclusion of negotiations concerning the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the CEF, the Agreement was signed by Minister of Finance dr. Dušan Mramor and the CEF Director, Ms. Mira Dobovišek. The Agreement with the Government of Slovenia defines the conditions under which Slovenia will host and finance the CEF as an international organization.

"We are proud of the progress the CEF has achieved since 2001, when it was established by the Slovenian Government at the initiative of the Slovenian Ministry of Finance. In 13 years, the CEF has grown into a renowned knowledge hub in public financial management and central banking in the region of South East Europe," said minister Mramor at the Agreement signing ceremony. He emphasized that the Government of Slovenia will continue to support the CEF in its operations as well as in enhancing cooperation with other countries and international organizations. 

Ms. Dobovišek expressed her belief that the CEF as an international organization will further strengthen its role in developing of capacities of public servants with an aim to help them respond to the challenges they are encountering at their work as effectively as possible.

With three countries (Slovenia, Bulgaria and Macedonia) ratifying the Agreement on Establishing the CEF as an international organization the Agreement will enter into force just before the end of year. The effective turnover of legal status will take place as per January 1, 2015. The Rules and Regulations for the CEF as an international organization will regulate its functioning. The first session of the Governing Board where the CEF’s Rules and Regulations will be approved is planned for March 31, 2015.

The first official step towards becoming an international organization took place on September 3, 2013 when the Agreement was signed by ministers of the five CEF member countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovenia) at the signing ceremony in Bled, Slovenia. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and Romania signed the Agreement subsequently. The signatory countries are now in the process of ratification of the Agreement. Countries that have not yet signed the Agreement can become founding members only if they sign it before the end of 2014.