The Joint Monitoring Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “JMC”) of the “IPA II Cross Border Cooperation Programme Serbia- the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 2016-2020” (hereinafter referred to as the “programme”), is a permanently acting body established in accordance with Art. 52.2 of the Commission Implementing Regulation 447/2014 of 2nd of May 2014 on the specific rules for implementing regulation (EU) no 231/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II), and Art. 78 of the Framework Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the ‘FWA’) between each of the two participating countries and the European Commission on the arrangements for the implementation of Union financial assistance under IPA II .
It is chaired by the Head of the Republic of Macedonia CBC Body and meets at least twice a year. Each country have one vote, with decisions being taken on the basis of unanimity. Institutions appointing representatives and substitutes are defined by Serbian CBC Body and the Republic of North Macedonia’s CBC Body for each country respectively, in line with the provisions of Article 78(3) of the Framework Agreements. The representatives and substitutes are required to sign Declarations of Impartiality and Confidentiality. The Rules of Procedures contain the Joint Monitoring Committee’s responsibilities as foreseen by Article 78 of the Framework Agreement and therefore be responsible for:
- for identifying the thematic priorities, specific objectives, target beneficiaries and specific focus of each call for proposals which shall be endorsed by the Commission;
- examine and provide an advisory opinion on the list of operations selected through calls for proposals before the grant award decision. The contracting authority shall adopt the final decision on the award of grants;
- review the progress made in relation to achieving the specific objectives, expected results and targets per thematic priority as set out in the cross-border cooperation programme, on the basis of the information provided by the operating structures of the participating countries. Progress shall be monitored against the indicators set up in the cross-border cooperation programme;
- examine relevant findings and conclusions as well as proposals for remedial follow-up actions stemming from the on-the-spot checks, monitoring and evaluations if available;
- approve any proposal to revise the cross-border cooperation programme. Whenever needed, it can make proposals to amend the cross-border cooperation programme as referred to in Article 68 of the Framework Agreement, to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the cross-border cooperation programme and enhance the efficiency effectiveness, impact and sustainability of the IPA Il assistance. The JMC can also make recommendations as to how to improve the implementation of the cross-border cooperation programme;
- examine and approve the communication and visibility plan for the cross-border cooperation programme;
- examine and approve the evaluation plan referred to in Article 57(2) of the Framework Agreement;
- examine and approve the annual and final reports on implementation referred to in Article 80 of the Framework Agreement;
- examine and approve the annual work plan of the Joint Technical Secretariat.
