Background Technical Working Groups TECHNICAL LEVEL The Western Balkans-Turkey High Level Forum POLITICAL LEVEL High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011

TG - B Analysis of the under-invoicing phenomenon and possible strategies of prevention TG - C The role of customs in protecting health of citizens and enviroment TG - A Methodologies to combat IIPR infringements High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Background – Technical Groups

Each TG:  Is composed by a representative from the participating Customs Administrations;  Has appointed a Coordinator;  Benefits of the support of one facilitator from the Italian Customs Agency;  Design, plan and implement cooperation activities;  Prepare reports with recommendations. High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Technical Groups

Technical Groups on-line Forum  Tool which facilitate TGs’ tasks ;  Each TG has its own section in a secured web portal ;  Main features: Sharing of documents ; Discussion boards – on-line communication Forum ; Tracking of the Logframe and Gannt Chart ;  Development and Maintenance is provided in sinergy with SEED project. High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011

Three Levels: 1.Within each TG: through the TGs Coordinators; 2.Among the three TGs: through the Coordination Meetings; 3.Political Level: thtough the High Level Forum. High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Coordination Mechanism

Role of the TGs Coordinators (1) Related to the coordination meetings and High Level Forum:  Guiding the discussions within the separate Group sessions;  Drawing the conclusions of the Group sessions;  Reporting findings/conclusions/recommendations to the plenary meetings;  Report to the HL Forum on the TG’s activities. High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011

Role of the TGs Coordinators (2) Related to the activities:  Guiding the Group in identifying content, objectives and methodologies of the activities to be implemented;  Stimulating the sharing of experience among the participants during the activities;  Drawing conclusions and making recommendations as results of the activities. High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011

Role of the TGs Coordinators (3) Related to the web forum:  Collecting ideas and contributions circulated in the forum of the Venice Cooperation Initiative Web Portal;  Translate these ideas/contributions into further topics of discussions in the web forum as well as in planned coordination meetings; High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011

Plenary Session: Introduction; Objectives of the Venice Initiative; Tasks for the TGs; Results of the separate TGs meetings High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 First TGs Coordination Meeting - Rome, 17 December

TGs separate meetings: General analysis of the current situation in participating Countries (based on the questionnaires and/or TG’s discussions); Specific objectives for the future work of the TG (based on the general analysis; Needs for cooperation (based on the specific objectives; Plan of activities to be implemented in the first year (based on the identified needs). High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June First TGs Coordination Meeting - Rome, 17 December

TG A - IPR Activity A1: Istanbul, 15 – 16 June 2011 (relation with trade); Activity A2: Skopje, 6 – 7 July 2011 (cooperation with other national/international authorities); Study Visit: Rome, October 2011 (Italian experience in the fight against IPR infringements). High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Plan of Activities for 2011

TG B - Undervaluation Activity B1: Istanbul, 12 – 13 April 2011 (Best Practices); Activity B2: Podgorica, 4 – 5 May 2011 (Risk Analysis); Study Visit: Rome, October 2011 (Italian experience in the fight against undervaluation phenomena). High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Plan of Activities for 2011

TG C – Health and Environment Activity C2: Podgorica, 18 – 19 April 2011 (Market Surveillance); Activity C1: Istanbul, 6 – 7 July 2011 (CITES Convention); Study Visit: Rome, October High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Plan of Activities for 2011

 Evaluation of the activities implemented in the first year;  Plan of Activities for year High Level Forum - Tirana, 9 June 2011 Second Coordination Meeting - November

Thank you - Sandro Le Noci- Italian Customs Agency Italian Coordinator of the Technical Groups