Co- chair: Mr. Jean-Francois Verstrynge (European Commission) Co-chair: Mr. Toni Popovski (FY Republic of Macedonia) The Task Force for Implementation of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe under Stability Pact (REReP) held its second meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on November 9th 2000. 1-3. Opening formalities Mr. Verstrynge and Mr. Popovski, the Co-Chairs of the Task Force, welcomed participants and opened the meeting. Representatives of 18 countries, European Commission and Stability Pact, as well as representatives from international and regional organisations, NGOs, and international financing institutions were present. (see list of participants in Annex II REReP/TF/2/e). In introductory remarks, the Co-chairs stated that this TF meeting was symbolic for gathering representatives of all SEE countries in the REReP for the first time, as for it’s role in fostering regional cooperation. The main focus would be to review the progress in implementation of the REReP, and provide guidance for future work to be done. The Task Force adopted the Draft Annotated Agenda of the Second Meeting (see document attached Annex I REReP/TF/2/a), as well as the Secretariat report from the 1st REReP TF meeting in Cavtat, Croatia. 4. Major developments since 1st REReP Task Force meeting The members of REReP TF have recognised the commitment of donors community, as projects to the value of 4.2 million EUR are underway, whilst an additional 5.2 million is firmly committed. The Task Force strongly encouraged other donors to participate and to support those projects yet without funding, as the needs of the SEE region are immense. The members of Task Force took note of report by Mr. Ronald Dreyer from Stability Pact on the outcome of the Stability Pact Working Table II meeting, held in Istanbul on October 16-17, 2000. It was emphasised that no new projects can be admitted to the Quick start package of the Stability Pact, unless the starting phase of the project is fully funded. This approach will be followed for the REReP 'Quick Start' project list. It was re-emphasized that the implementation of the REReP is an important dimension of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, and that environmental projects and activities should, in due time be broadly integrated into other areas and activities of Stability Pact. NGOs reported on the establishment of a REReP NGO Steering Committee with a mandate to review and further develop projects under REReP priority area 2. The Steering Committee will also identify areas where NGOs can participate in project implementation. The donor countries were invited to increase financial support to the NGO activities. DG Environment is investigating availability of funds for SEE NGOs. 5. Review of the environmental reconstruction, development and cooperation in the region The representatives from each SEE country presented a review of the environmental reconstruction, development and cooperation in the region, and reported on common problems and needs especially in building of institutions, law drafting, problems in water and waste sector etc. It was agreed that summary reports of accomplishments and reforms in environmental policy and reconstruction will be prepared for each future Task Force meeting    Those financial institutions and international donors that have not yet done so are invited to provide a list of ongoing investment projects and other environmental activities to be included into the list of associated projects to the REReP. In this way a complete picture of activities can be developed to assist in effective coordination of donor actions. 6. Participation of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the REReP As a result of the recent political changes, the Task Force welcomed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) into the REReP programme, in line with the approach taken by the Stability Pact.   FRY will be integrated in the Programme as various donors pick up projects, however project activities in FRY, will not diminish the funding available for other countries participating in the Programme. 7. Progress to date in the REReP implementation The Chairman expressed satisfaction with the level of donor support in the REReP priority areas 1 (Institutional strengthening) and 2 (Civil society building), whilst urging more donors commitment for the remaining priority areas. (for details on the actions needed upon each project please see Annex III, REReP projects review TF/2 and REReP/TF/2 financial status table). Existing financing programmes such as ISPA, PHARE, LIFE -Third Countries etc. were suggested as alternative potential sources for providing funding. The meeting agreed that projects without project summary sheets by 20th December will be excluded from the REReP list. 8. Possible new REReP project proposals The meeting agreed that for priority areas 1 to 4, no new project would be accepted unless it had a clear regional focus and had been developed with the cooperation of more than one beneficiary country. This regional element will be a requirement for inclusion into the Programme. For priority area 5 the limit of one country per project agreed in March, remains valid. It was emphasised that the national projects can still be dealt with, through the bilateral and international assistance programmes.    It was decided that new projects having similarities to existing projects should be merged, if possible. The REReP Secretariat should organize preparation meetings in order to discuss the practicalities of implementation if lead countries request it.    FRY would together with Montenegro and UNMiK, make a detailed examination of the priorities and possibilities. TF Secretariat should assist in this if requested. 9. Reporting and monitoring of REReP projects The draft template for monitoring the implementation of “Quick Start” priority projects was approved by TF members, as the countries have recognized the clear need to monitor and report progress and have concrete measures of success for each project. 10. Closing remarks and miscellaneous. Date of the next meeting. The Commission will look to involve SEE countries in a possible initiative on climate change.    The Task Force agreed that the UN/ECE will prepare and present to the next TF meeting a document with the status of signing, acceding and ratification of international conventions by SEE countries.   The Task Force has decided to include EIB and similar financial institutions in future TF meetings.    The REReP logo was adopted by the Task Force as the official symbol of the Programme. It was agreed that the next REReP Task Force meeting will be held on 6th April, 2001. in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Agenda List of Participants Minutes