The
CIVEX Commission of the CoR is mainly responsible for the institutional position on EU enlargement policy. To promote dialogue and cooperation between local and regional authorities in the EU and the enlargement countries, and to support them on their path towards the EU, two kinds of institutional platforms have been created:
- the Joint Consultative Committees (JCCs)
- the Working Groups (WGs)
Joint Consultative Committees (JCCs)
Mission statement
A JCC provides a consistent and stable form of cooperation with the local and regional authorities of a country seeking to join the EU. Among others JCC activities contribute to:
- preparing local and regional representatives for EU membership
- assessing the impact of EU policies from a local and regional perspective
- a direct two-way information flow on political developments in the countries and in the EU
- monitoring the negotiations, focusing on areas of particular relevance to local and regional authorities
How is a JCC established?
- On request from the government of the country concerned
- On the basis of the "Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA)"
- Or in an official declaration of the" Stabilization and Association Council" between the Council of the European Union and the candidate country
Who takes part in the JCCs?
- Half of the representatives are local or regional representatives from the country concerned
- The other half are Members of the Committee of the Regions
- There are two co-chairs, representing the categories mentioned above
How do JCCs work?
- Decisions are taken jointly
- Each JCC adopts its own Rules of Procedure
- JCCs meet twice a year, once in Brussels in the framework of the Enlargement Day event and once in the partner country
JCC Montenegro
- Legal basis: Decision of the EU – Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council, 21st June 2011
Co-Chairs
Members
JCC North Macedonia
- Legal basis: Decision of EU – Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council, 24th July 2007
Co-Chairs
Members
JCC Serbia
- Legal basis: EU – Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia, 2014
Co-Chairs
Members
JCC Iceland
- JCC Iceland was put on hold soon after its creation in May 2013, as requested by Iceland.
Working Groups (WG's)
Inter alia, activities of Working Groups contribute to:
- fostering cooperation with local and regional authorities in the country or countries it covers
- assessing the impact of EU policies from a local and regional perspective
- a direct two-way information flow on political developments in the countries and in the EU
- exchange of good practice in specific fields of cooperation
How is a WG established?
- Via a decision of the CoR Bureau in accordance with the "CoR Rules of Procedure"
Who takes part in the WG's?
- Members of the CoR
- Participation of local and regional representatives from the partner countries varies according to the topics discussed and the location of the meeting
WGs meet twice a year, once in Brussels in the framework of the Enlargement Day event and once in a partner country
WG Turkey
WG Western Balkans
- Created in 2006
- Currently covering: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo*
* This designation is without prejudice to the positions expressed by the EU Member States on Kosovo's status and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1244/1999 and the International Court of Justice Opinion of 22 July 2010 on Kosovo's declaration of independence.
Chair
Members