Regional Conference in South East Europe

SESSION V-F EU Accession: Regulatory Reform Process and Challenges

Panelists:
Johan Hommes (view presentation)
Parliamentary Project Manager, Democratization Department, OSCE

Pavel Ivanov (view presentation)
Senior Expert, Strategic Planning and Governance Directorate, Council of Ministers, Bulgaria

Malgorzata Kaluzynska (view presentation)
Director, Department of Analysis and Strategy, Office of the Committee for European Integration, Poland

Irena Milanović
Deputy Secretary, Montenegro Secretariat for European Integration

Moderator:
Margo Thomas
BEE Manager, IFC Advisory Services

EU accession is a strategic goal for all economies in South East Europe. Even though they find themselves at varying stages on the path to the EU, all governments in the region have adopted EU harmonization as a natural goal in their reform process. Joining the EU is first and foremost a process of regulatory reform, and this session was therefore a discussion of how this process ought to be implemented. By looking at experiences from two EU member countries, Bulgaria and Poland, participants considered key challenges of this complex process, as outlined by Johan Hommes – realistic planning, keeping the timelines, setting priorities, gathering information, and conducting effective consultations with stakeholders. Ms. Kaluzynska and Mr. Ivanov emphasized the role of the regulatory impact assessment (RIA) process in implementing the aquis in an optimal way. RIA takes a prominent role in the development of negotiating positions in areas where transition periods apply, and in understanding the impact of regulatory reform on social partners and the national budget.