EU Negotiations Training Programme
The enlargement of the European Union is one of the greatest challenges of European politics in the 21st century. It has brought ” and continues to bring ” great demands for substantial reform efforts and adjustments on the part of the EU and applicant countries. Since 1 May 2004, the EU has ten new members.
EU accession negotiations contain a number of elements that make them different to traditional international negotiations. Negotiations delegations, decision-makers in appropriate ministries and members of inter-ministerial working groups need practice-oriented preparation for the challenges of accession negotiations.
In addition to addressing country-specific issues, sectoral issues in the areas of agricultural policy, structural policy, competition policy, energy policy, the free movement of goods and transport policy are central here.
Ever since the European Council of Luxembourg (December 1997) began negotiations with the first six countries of the current enlargement round (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia), the programme has been very much in demand.
Negotiations training was given in the following countries:
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Slovak Republic
Over 1500 individuals took part in more than 100 training courses, seminars and political education workshops.
Should you be interested in learning more about our programmes, the staff in the Studies & Capacity Building Section of the IEP will be glad to help you with your enquiries.