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SECI Projects
SECI will focus on projects
which will not compete with those of other international
initiatives or institutions, including particularly
the EU's policies and projects in the region e.g.
regional approach and pre-accession strategy. SECI
will be informed of the projects developed by the
European Union, the U.S. and others, but will not
have any oversight of them. SECI will ensure that
the EU and others providing assistance are informed
of SECI's work. The international financial institutions,
the EU and the U.S. may participate in SECI projects
on a case-by-case basis. They may assist SECI by providing
their expertise. SECI s aim is to complement other
initiatives in the region and should not duplicate
them. The closest coordination and cooperation possible
should be sought with other initiatives in the region,
which aim at enhancing economic and environmental
cooperation there.
Project proposals will be submitted
by the SECI participating states (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece,
Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia
and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), by the ECE
or by any interested partner for selection and approval
by the concerned SECI countries during the Agenda
Committee Meetings.
For each project retained, the Agenda
Committee would establish a working group consisting
of representatives from the countries interested,
experts from other interested governments, international
financial institutions, as appropriate, United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE, www.unece.org)
and private sector. SECI will be technically supported
by the UN/ECE. Through its network of contacts throughout
the region and its conventions, norms, standards and
guidelines, the UN/ECE has the means to facilitate
and simplify transborder operations and to provide
mechanisms for solving problems.
Each working group would develop technical
and financial feasibility studies and attempt to match
sponsors of the project. SECI will not imply the provision
of additional public financial commitments. Accordingly,
the participating states of SECI will be advised not
to use SECI as a basis for requesting EU or U.S. funding.
SECI will not seek to implement
projects, but will act as a catalyst to bring together
countries of the region, lending institutions and
technical agencies. The working groups would thus
facilitate decision making and encourage the engagement
of the private sector in the regional economy.
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