1. Activities of the Western Balkans Contact Group.

2. What is the Western Balkans Contact Group ? ♦ History and characteristics.  Created in 2004.  Composition : 15 Members of the EESC ⋆ 5 representatives of the Employers Group ⋆ 5 representatives of the Employees Group ⋆ 5 representatives of the Various Interests Group (farmers, consumers, NGOs)  2 years term. 2008-2010 (ongoing term).

3. ♦ General Objectives.  Link, develop contact, and cooperate with a wide range of locally active CSOs.  Bring added-value, i.e civil society expertise, to the work done by the other EU institutions in the WB.  Bring expertise to encourage the development of civil and social dialogue in the WB (creation and/or development of national Economic and Social Councils ; platforms of CSOs ; etc…).  Assist in informing Brussels-based actors on the difficulties and needs of civil society of the Western Balkans.  Develop inter institutional cooperation in those fields. What is the Western Balkans Contact Group ?

4. ♦ Specific objectives – based on the conclusions of the 2 nd Western Balkans Civil Society Forum organised in 2008.  Trade / CEFTA : request for a social and environmental impact assessment of the Agreement + creation of a consultative committee for CSOs of the region.  Energy Community : ensure the implementation of the MoU on social issues. Objectives for the 2008-2010 term.

5. ♦ Organisation of the 3rd Western Balkans Civil Society Forum. 1st semester 2010. Potential Topics:  Transport Community : encourage setting-up a consultative body involving CSOs in follow-up and assessment process. (concept of national follow-up committees).  Economic and Social Rights in each country. State of play and roadmap for further improvements. Objectives for the 2008-2010 term.

6. ♦ Joint Consultative Committees (JCC).  Legal basis: SAA.  5th meeting EU-Croatia JCC – 5 May in Prague. Topics : flexicurity and communication policy on enlargement.  1st meeting EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia JCC – to be held in 2009. Other activities of the EESC in the Western Balkans

7. ♦ Opinions on civil society in each country of the region.  Adopted opinions: Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Serbia (request from the Commission).  To be adopted: Bosnia and Herzegovina (request from the European Commission).  Foreseen : Montenegro. Other activities of the EESC in the Western Balkans

8. Thank you for your attention ! Feel free to contact us: ♦ Metka ROKSANDIC, President of the Western Balkans Contact Group E-mail : metka.roksandic@triera.net ♦ Aurélien JULIARD EESC Secretariat Tel : +32 (0)2 546 99 69 E-mail: aurelien.juliard@eesc.europa.eu