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An IPA 2010 Twinning light project, Strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in performing its role as a national coordinator of EU affairs, started in the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.   

The attendees were addressed by Mrs Vesna Pusić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, welcoming the launch of this six-month twinning light project in Croatia, with Lithuania as a partner country. In light of the enhancement of close partnership between the two member states, Mrs Pusić expressed strong belief that the results of this project would improve not only coordination procedures across the state administration bodies, but also raise awareness about processes at EU level among all the stake holders. 

The project is worth € 250 000, where 90 % is financed by the European Commission, and 10 % by the Republic of Croatia. The Lithuanian expert team is headed by Mr Julius Pranevičius, Director of the EU Council Presidency Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.

While in Croatia, the Lithuanian experts will share with Croatian civil servants their knowledge acquired during their ten-year EU membership, and the experience gathered from the recent EU Council Presidency of Lithuania, through a number of seminars, workshops, and various written materials. Having completed an in-depth analysis of the system of EU affairs coordination already established in Croatia, the Lithuanian experts will propose the necessary measures and activities for further improvement.

The objective of the project is to enhance the MFEA’s efficiency in preparing, harmonising and adopting Croatian positions, and in coordinating EU affairs, thus helping Croatia to be efficient and visible at the EU level.

There are three components of the project: (1) further development of the national system and methodological tools for EU affairs coordination; (2) strengthening the administrative capacities of employees involved in EU affairs coordination in Croatia; (3) preparation of information material and raising awareness of the importance of national coordination of EU affairs.

By becoming a member of the EU on 1 July 2013, new areas of activities have been opened to Croatia within the EU institutions. Member state status brought along new challenges for the civil service as the goal is for Croatia to have an active, efficient and visible role.  Shaping EU policies with other member states is the very key element of EU membership, enabling also the promotion and protection of national interests at EU level. MFEA and other state administration bodies prepare, harmonise and adopt national positions on various EU issues and documents. These positions are then represented by Croatian delegates in meetings of various EU bodies.

“With the help from our Lithuanian partners, we will improve the national EU affairs coordination system streamlining our priorities so that Croatia may become a constructive actor and contribute to building a better Europe for Croatians and all EU citizens through its own activities at the EU level.”

      Photos: Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

1. From left to right: Ambassador Branko Baričević, Head of the European Commission Representation in the Republic of Croatia, V. Pusić, H.Marušić, and Nataša Mikuš Žigman, Director of Central Finance and Contracting Agency;
2. From left to right: H.Marušić, J.Pranevičius, N. Mikuš Žigman;
3. J. Pranevičius.