Total Norwegian bilateral assistance for the Republic of Macedonia in 2010 amounted to EUR 5 million. In addition to this bilateral assistance, Macedonia was granted substantial amounts from the funds available for regional purposes.
Priority sectors in the Norwegian bilateral assistance are the following:
Decentralisation process,
Public administration strengthening,
Business activity promotion,
Fight against organised crime,
Institution and democracy building,
Healthcare and education.
Approximately 66% of the total bilateral assistance for Macedonia is administered and allocated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo, Section for Western Balkans Affairs (s-vb@mfa.no).
The Norwegian Embassy in Skopje (emb.skopje@mfa.no) administers a fund of approximately EUR 0,187 million for grassroots projects in Macedonia according to the criteria established by the Embassy.
Norwegian Programme for Bilateral Project Assistance
The Governments of the Republic of Macedonia and the Kingdom of Norway, through the Secretariat for European Affairs and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commenced cooperation by means of Annual Programme for Bilateral Project Assistance signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 06.07.2004 and its Addendum on 03.03.2006.
Annual assistance amounts vary and depend on the Norwegian annual budget. The intention of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that the Programme for Norwegian Bilateral Project Assistance constitutes approximately 30% of total annual Norwegian assistance to the Republic of Macedonia.
The objective of the Norwegian bilateral assistance is to support Macedonia’s integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. The implementation of Ohrid Framework Agreement constitutes important precondition for the wider integration process. Main focus is on supporting Macedonia’s efforts to meet the criteria for EU membership and implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement through strengthening democratic institutions, rule of law, human rights as well as promotion of sustainable economic and social development. Furthermore, the assistance will contribute to developing close links and relations between institutions and organisations from Macedonia and Norway.
For more information on completed and underway projects, visit the following link: www.sep.gov.mk/cdad
SEA contact persons:
Sofce Zafirovska
Head of department for bilateral and multilateral assistance
e-mail: sofce.zafirovska@sep.gov.mk
phone: (02) 3200 243
Jovan Despotovski
e-mail:jovan.despotovski@sep.gov.mk
Phone: (02) 32 00 138