BRUSSELS – TAIEX and Twinning are key in fostering change, thus paving the way for political reforms and enhanced cooperation among countries – the essential ingredients for a future of common stability, prosperity and security, said European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn.

European Commission recently published the Report on TAIEX and Twinning activities for 2016. (View Report HERE)

TAIEX is the EC’s Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument, which is used as a support for public administrations in the European Neighbourhood and Enlargement regions. It consists of workshops in the EU member states, expert missions and study visits, which are used to provided assistance to civil servants, judiciary and law enforcement authorities.

Although TAIEX and Twinning programs may seem similar, there is a difference – the Twinning program is used as a long-term cooperation tool.

TAIEX and Twinning 2016 Annual Activity Report

In 2016 in the Western Balkans region, Montenegro and Macedonia had the biggest number of TAIEX activities. Most of the activities were conducted in the field of internal market and justice and home affairs.

On the other hand, when it comes to Twinning activities, in 2016 in the Western Balkans, Macedonia had the highest number of the new projects, which makes it the leader in the number of TAIEX and Twinning activities.

One of the most important aims of these activities in the Western Balkans is to support the EU integration process of the region.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina some of the activities were conducted to support the reform of the judiciary, while in Serbia, some of the TAIEX activities which could serve as the example of a good practice were conducted in the sector of the innovative economy.

It is noted that in Albania, Twinning project which was launched to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public financial management had achieved tangible results.

Both programs are financed from the EU budget.