P R O T O C O L. of the Fifth Session of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic

Transcription

1 P R O T O C O L of the Fifth Session of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic Prague, 6 th to 7 th December, 2011 The fifth meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic (hereinafter: the "Committee") was held from December 6 th to 7 th, 2011, in Prague. The meeting of the Committee was held in accordance with Article Nr. 4 of the bilateral Agreement on Economic Cooperation, signed in Prague on 20 July The delegation of the Republic of Serbia was led by Her Excellency Ms. Jelena Marjanović, Assistant Minister of Economy and Regional Development. The delegation of the Czech Republic was led by His Excellence Mr. Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. The meeting was held in Plenary Session and six Working Groups. Lists of delegations are attached in Annexes 1 and 2 of this Protocol. The meetings were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere reflecting the desire to find practical feasible and effective ways and means that would expand cooperation in line with potentials of their respective countries. Both countries have traditionally maintained very good relations in all spheres of common interest be them political, economic or other. A high degree of mutual cooperation and understanding has been reflected in numerous visits on presidential, ministerial, parliamentary and expert levels in The Czech Republic has welcomed the Serbia`s substantial efforts aimed at reconciliation and regional cooperation. The Czech Republic supports Serbia`s EU integration ambitions and based on Serbian achievements in implementing reforms, overcoming historical burdens and intensifying regional ties, the Czech Republic endorses granting EU candidate status to Serbia. The Heads of both Delegations presented the economic and trade situation in their respective countries and stated that the development of stronger economic ties and the promotion of investments and trade between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic are joint objectives of both Governments. The Heads of both Delegations highlighted the necessity of further utilization of economic, trade and industrial opportunities. 1

2 During the Session both Delegations expressed their common desire to achieve further strengthening of the bilateral cooperation and to find more feasible and effective ways for collaboration. This includes more intensive bilateral dialogue on economic issues of both regional and multilateral/global importance, especially within the EU context, involving partners from both sides public administration and relevant business and NGO communities. During the meeting the following questions were discussed: I. Mutual information on the economic situation in both countries; II. III. Evaluation of bilateral economic cooperation; Assessment of activities in following areas of mutual interest: 1) Trade, Regional Development and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); 2) Energy; 3) Transportation; 4) Environmental Protection; 5) Agriculture; 6) Finance and Development Cooperation. IV. Organizational issues Minutes of working groups, signed by the coordinators and given in Annex 3 are an integral part of this Protocol. It is the recommendation of the Committee that the Working Group meetings could be held also in the period between the meetings of the Committee, according to specific needs, or to resolve individual issues or projects of mutual cooperation, based on the requirements and drafts prepared in the meantime. On December the 7 th a Workshop New Investment Opportunities for Czech Companies in Serbia, aiming at spreading information of investment opportunities in Serbia among Czech possible investors, was held. Topics: - Concrete Investment Possibilities in the Industrial Zones Šabac, Smederevo, Užice, Loznica and Valjevo City), - Water management, - Hydro energy small water power stations - Protection of environment Waste Water Management, - Cooperation in other sectors of municipal infrastructure. The Committee welcomes this initiative, especially at the level of municipalities, and considered the event as very successful. According to particular points of the Rules of Procedure the following conclusions and recommendations were adopted: 2

3 I. Mutual information on the economic situation in both countries; The parties exchanged information about the current situation and economic development of both countries. They presented the basic economic indicators of the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic. It was noted that there is the significant space for further successful development of mutual economic cooperation. The Heads of delegations pointed out that the development of stronger economic ties and the promotion of investments and trade between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic are joint objectives of both Governments. Concrete cooperation relates both to bilateral projects and activities designed to promote the integration of the Republic of Serbia into the EU and WTO, and mutual support in regional organizations and associations in order to strengthen the position of the two countries and integration processes in Europe. II. Evaluation of bilateral economic cooperation Bilateral relations were mutually evaluated as very good, their positive development is the result of the current political and economic dialogue and fulfillment of agreements signed. The Heads of both Delegations emphasised the necessity for further utilisation of economic, trade and industrial opportunities of both countries. They also agree that bilateral flow of direct investments is one of the main factors establishing good prospects in development of economic relations in the future; a particular attention must be paid to the major investments of the other party, especially when interests of the other party are directly involved and affected by the action of the host side. The Heads jointly noted that the sectors of energy, transport infrastructure, municipal infrastructure, solid waste management and waste water treatment are the most prospective ones for Czech investments and supplies to the Republic of Serbia. Both sides agreed to look for ways to facilitate such intentions of the other partner, by providing advance information on sectorial strategies, plans, privatisation schemes, projects, public tenders etc. Support for European Integration of the Republic of Serbia The Czech Republic continues in its support to the Republic of Serbia concerning its effort to achieve faster access to the EU. The Czech Republic appreciates the favorable opinion of the European Commission given to the Government of the Republic of Serbia in October this year which is essential for the granting of the Candidate Status. The Czech Republic is regularly passing experiences of the period of economic transition and pre-accession period. Therefore consultations, workshops and trainings intended for the Civil Service of the Republic of Serbia took place in the period between the Meetings of the Joint Committee. These events covered both the topics important for the Accession Process to the EU and areas of further interest. The Czech side proposed the possibility of cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the field of twinning projects. 3

4 Ministry of Industry and Trade and its subordinate organizations are able to provide Assistance to the Serbian side in the following areas: multilateral trading systems and organizations, the EU's common commercial policy, free movement of services, free movement of goods in the non-harmonized sphere, system SOLVIT, approximation of law in the areas of consumer protection, protection and promoting investment in the context of European law, implementation of legislation in the field of economic agendas, energy and environmental legislation (bringing a partner to EU policies), assistance with setting coordination of economic agenda of the EU, supervision over the market, issues of transposition of EU law in general, introduction of new procedures in the electronic communication, regulatory impact assessment, reducing the administrative burden on entrepreneurs, product safety and financial services. The Serbian side will check out which areas would be interested in cooperation. Aid for Trade projects are financed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. The project called Assistance and transfer of experience in business cooperation for civil servants of the Republic of Serbia was realized in the autumn of The basic objective of the project was, in agreement with provisions of Specification documents of the submitter, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and in agreement with the interest of the partner organization, the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development of the Republic of Serbia, to ensure assistance and transfer of experience in business cooperation to public administration workers in the Republic of Serbia. In 2011 Aid for Trade Project called Economic and Social Development of the Regions by Building a Network of Centers for the Management of Development Projects has been implemented in co-operation between the Czech Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia with active contribution of regional Chambers of Commerce in Sombor, Niš and Užice, based on long and successful history of relationship. Committee confirmed the necessity to continue such activities in this kind of cooperation in the future. Both sides said that the current contractual arrangement is on the high level. This should lead to the faster development in the conclusion of bilateral agreements in the areas, which have not been contractually regulated yet or in which the current agreements should be changed or substituted by new ones if they don t meet the needs and level of current and future cooperation. There were several areas of trade and economic cooperation identified, which could be expected to support the mutual economic cooperation in the coming period: the protection of environment, the projects of transport and municipal infrastructure, the development of cooperation among SME s, the transfer of technologies. The Serbian side indicated more possibilities for Czech business entities on the Serbian market through the raise of volume of the investments and extension of higher forms of cooperation (long-term production cooperation, etc.) with the aim to cooperate and make common business on third markets. 4

5 In this regard the Serbian side informed about benefits resulting from the FTA s which the Republic of Serbia signed with CEFTA, EFTA, Russian Federation, Belarus, Turkey and Kazakhstan (especially the Agreements on diagonal cumulation of goods). The Czech Side expressed the interest of Czech business entities for the projects of construction and/or reconstruction of the Serbian economy financed from the IPA funds (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) or from other available financial sources of the EU. The Serbian side expressed the interest in exchanging the experience with Czech national institutions dealing with Regional policy and European Regional Development Fund, the special interest being the acquaintance with the institutional set up for absorption of EU funds in the Czech Republic. III. Evaluation of activities in the areas of bilateral interest: 1) Trade, regional development and development of SME s Both Parties exchanged information on results of foreign trade in 2010 and latest statistical data for 2011 and discussed possibilities of ways how to increase the trade turnover and enhance the trade and economic cooperation through various activities such as: participation in fairs and exhibitions, organization of workshops and trade missions in both countries, close cooperation between business associations and communities. Statistical data of mutual trade exchange presume that the mutual trade exchange in 2011 would reach the record values of The Czech import from Serbia reached the highest amounts in the history in the first half of According to the data of the Serbian side (Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia) overall trade exchange between two countries amounted to 341,1 mil.eur (increase of 30,8%) in In the last year Serbian export to the Czech Republic amounted to 102,1 mil.eur (increase of 48,1%), while Serbian import from the Czech Republic amounted to 239,0 mil.eur (increase of 24,6 %). From January to September 2011, the mutual turnover amounted to 300,1 mil.eur (increase of 25,2% compared with the same period of 2010), of which Serbian Export amounted to 82,8 mil.eur (increase of 7,4% compared with the same period of 2010) and Imports from Czech 217,3 mil.eur (increase of 33,6%). According to the data of the Czech side (Czech Statistical Office) the mutual turnover in 2010 amounted to the 389 mil EUR, of which Czech Exports to Serbia were 250 mil.eur and Czech Imports from Serbia were 139 mil.eur. From January to September 2011, the mutual turnover amounted to the 434 mil.eur (growth by 63% compared with the same period of 2010), of which Czech Exports were 281 mil.eur (growth by 66% compared with the same period of 2010) and Imports from Serbia 153 mil.eur (growth by 59%). 5

6 Both parties, underlining the importance of promoting cooperation in the field of contracting and consultancy services, agreed to further encourage their respective business communities to establish closer contacts with the view to explore business opportunities in both countries and in the third markets through joint investment projects. Both parties decided to support regular exchange of information regarding the upcoming tenders on construction and infrastructure projects in both countries. Both sides confirmed the interest for the exchange of information and cooperation in the field of industrial policy and development of industrial parks/zones, technology centers, brown field investments as well as the policies and tools for supporting small and medium enterprises, clusters, tools to reduce regional differences and organization of activities of regional agencies. Considering the fact, that the launching of joint production of Serbian and Czech companies is one of the possibilities for enhancing economic cooperation between both countries, the considerable scope for its formation and/or extension exists mainly in the field of agricultural mechanization, production of automotive parts, tools, textile industry and other industrial sectors. The Serbian side pointed out that the basis for setting priorities on Investment Incentives in various industrial areas will be a Strategic Document on Industrial Policy of the Republic of Serbia by the year Both sides expressed interest in the continuation of cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic in the fields of retail, SMEs, consumer protection and market surveillance. It was noted the continuation of a good cooperation between the state agencies SIEPA and CzechInvest, and Serbian Chamber of Commerce with the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic. CzechInvest and SIEPA expresed their redines to consider enhancing their cooperation especially through information shering and joint asctivities on a case by case basis. Both sides expressed interest in the exchange of experience in the area of regional development, with particular emphasis on functioning of institutions responsible for implementation of regional development policy, elaboration and implementation of strategic documents, co-ordination and monitoring of regional policy and management of territorial cooperation programmes, transfer of best practices of the Czech Republic in using EU structural and cohesion funds, with particular emphasis on institutional, strategic and financial framework EU funds management in Czech Republic and preparation of legal instruments for territorial cooperation (European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation), exchange of experience in decentralisation of regional development programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, improving competitiveness of the regions. Both sides exchanged information on state support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), methods and forms of establishing favourable business climate and lowering the administrative burden of entrepreneurship, and ČEB elaborated on current planning of strengthening of the development financing. 6

7 Czech side informed about its experience with support of SMEs from the EU Structural Funds. Both Parties agreed on further exchange of experience with establishing favourable entrepreneurial environment, particularly in improving access of SMEs to finance and to foreign markets. Both sides, while considering very important role of SMEs in the economic development of each country, agreed to make all efforts aiming at the further improvement of co-operation in this field, particularly through the exchange of experiences and of best practice in the implementation of EU-funded projects, regional cooperation, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurial education. 2) Energy The common interest in the continuation and deepening of cooperation in this area was confirmed. Referring to that mutual interest in deepening the existing cooperation in the energy sector, both sides discussed further concrete steps to develop closer cooperation by preparing Memorandum between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic on the cooperation in the field of energy. The Serbian side supports joint activities to implement investment programs that create conditions for continuation and capacity development of mining in the coal mines (lignite mines Soko and Rembas - within the State Enterprise for Underground Coal Mining, JPPEU Resavica). The value of possible investments in mines Soko and Rembas is 30 mil.eur, which would be provide by a loan with favorable terms from the state owned Czech Export Bank. The Czech side is still interested in continuing of the preparatory activities for the project of thermal power plant Štavalj. It also has an interest in mining underground deposits of lignite and brown coal in the eastern region of Serbia in order to use these sources to supply power units - heat and electricity (Lubnice Mines and Soko). The Czech side is also interested in participation in supplying of equipment and technology transfer for these mines in order to ensure continuation, production increase and efficiency of operation of the mines. Funding would be provided by international credit (Possible through Czech Export Bank). The Czech side confirms its interest in supplying of capital equipment for expansion of mining capacities of the open-pit mine Kolubara by Czech companies led by ROSIVA Šumperk Ltd. with the simultaneous possibility of securing funding. The Czech side also expressed the interest in supplying parts and modernization of mining capacity at the open-pit mines Kolubara and Kostolac. The Serbian side is interested in using possible credit financing of listed investment activities and technology transfer in the area of development of energy supply base for the needs of energy sources in the Republic of Serbia. Czech and Serbian side expressed mutual interest in realization of projects in the field of environmental protection in the energy industry. 7

8 Both sides welcome iniciatives to enhance cooperation in energy sector by exploring posibilites for building and reconstructing small hydro power plants in Serbia. 3) Transport Mutual interest in continuation of cooperation on the concrete projects in rail, road and urban transport, transfer of experiences and information has been confirmed as the main message in the field of transport infrastructure. The most important current project is the reconstruction of the railway Corridor X in the Niš-Dimitrovgrad section by Czech Consortium Inekon Enixus. In accordance with the Intergovernmental Protocol and the Framework Agreement signed in November last year, both sides continued in a number of technical and commercial negotiations on the project for upgrading the railway line Niš-Dimitrovgrad. Negotiations between Serbian Railways and Czech Consortium Inekon Enixus about value of the first stage of the project have been finalized, which include construction works between railway stations Celle Kula and Staničenje and preparation of lacking project documentation for the rest of the Project. After reaching a conclusion of Credit Agreement the Czech side will be able to start execution of works during the first quarter of At the same time both sides will start negotiations, which will include execution of the electrification and signalization on the first stage of the project. The project "Rehabilitation and Modernization of Railway Crossings for Increasing Safety in the Rail and Road Transport" had been completed in the course of this year. This project was implemented on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between Serbian Ministry of Infrastructure and Czech Development Agency. This is the construction of 10 railway crossings being realized by the Czech company AŽD on the basis of donation from the Czech Development Agency, which provided the financial amount of 1 mil.eur in the form of complete internal supply of electronic equipment for the security of railway crossings with full related equipment. The official Protocol of the transfer of 10 railway crossings to Serbian Railways between the Czech company AŽD and Serbian Railways was officially signed during the session of the 5th Meeting of the Committee. Serbian side highly evaluates this project and declares that installed equipment is functioning properly. Both sides welcome continuation of cooperation of the relevant ministries of both countries in exchanging experiences related to the restructuring of Czech Railways and the experience and effects associated with the EU accession, as well as experiences and activities in the implementation of new OTIF convention and relevant protocols. Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic is offering the exchange of experience in the field of applied technologies and technical norms which were used in modernization of the railway corridors in the Czech Republic. 8

9 4) Environmental protection This area continues to have priority status and importance within the program of International Development Cooperation of the Czech Republic. The Serbian side presented several project proposals for use of Fund resources for International Development cooperation from the Czech Republic. Both sides agree that the project, discussed also within the group 6, focusing on several waste water treatment plants (on the Czech side project documentation to be financed from the Czech Development Cooperation, with the possibility of the credit from the Czech Export Bank for construction, with participation of the Serbian Environment Protection Fund on the Serbian side). The implementation of the Twinning Project Strengthening the Administrative Capacity for Air Quality Management in the Republic of Serbia, where the Czech Ministry of Environment is one of the main partners is continued. Both relevant ministries signed a two-year cooperation program ( ) in the area of environmental protection. 5) Agriculture In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which contributed to strengthening of cooperation in specified areas of agriculture. Cooperation in the field of animal health, public health and international cooperation based on the specific requirements of the Serbian side is successfully continued. Successful cooperation also continues with the Central Control and Testing Agricultural Institute in the certification of seeds and seedlings, the recognition of varieties, protection of breeders' rights, the testing of plant nutrition, soil fertility controls, as well as with the State Phytosanitary Administration in the field of plant health, plant quarantine and registration and use of pesticides. The Czech side appreciates the interest of the Serbian side of the closer cooperation in the field of water management. On this occasion, the Czech side pointed out that the Czech Republic through the Ministry of Agriculture funded three projects focusing ODA on water management totaling over CZK 20 million in the past six years. Czech side expressed its readiness to share its experience in the field of sustainable and integrated water management. Both sides agreed that for the future cooperation mainly funds provided under the EU pre-accession funds for Serbia IPA and TAIEX should be used. Both sides would find helpful the participation of Czech companies to the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad would be financially supported by the Czech administration. 9

10 6) Finance and Development Cooperation Committee appreciated the conclusion of additional protocols on amendments to the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Agreement for the Promotion and the Reciprocal Protection of Investments as well as the cooperation in the area of Technical Assistance between Ministries of Finance. Within the framework of the Working Group the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic repeatedly requested the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia for providing the Czech side with the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia concerning the validity of the Protocol dated March 24, 1992 and the Agreement between the Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on succession to bilateral treaties ( ). Both sides discussed the intention of signing the Agreement on Development Cooperation and the Memorandum on Cooperation in Technical Assistance. Development Cooperation The Serbian side appreciates the contribution of development assistance provided by the Czech Republic. It was noted that the Czech Republic provided bilateral development assistance to Serbia in the amount of 12.4 mil.eur in the period The largest project is the donation to the "Serbian Railways" of 1 mil.eur allocated to the security of ten railroad crossings. The Republic of Serbia continues to be a leading beneficiary of the Czech Foreign Development Cooperation (FDC). The newly adopted concept of the Czech ODA for the period ranked Serbia among the Priority Project Countries and confirmed the main sectors of cooperation environmental protection, economic development and renewable energy sources. Particular emphasis will be put on the transfer of experience of the Czech Republic from the process of economic transformation and technical know-how. Foreign Development Cooperation of the Czech Republic and the Republic of Serbia is based on principle of partnership and on the priorities and needs of the Serbian side, which is involved in the initiation, preparation and implementation of these projects. The Czech side has confirmed that Serbia remains a major beneficiary of the Czech ODA in the future. It also expressed its readiness in providing adequate counseling services for particular sectors. IV. Organizational Issues The Fifth Meeting of the Committee was held in friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding and constructive dialogue which characterize the traditional cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic. 10

11 In the next period the Committee and its Working Groups will focus on the possibilities of support of higher forms of economic cooperation, particularly with regard to Energy, Transport and Transport infrastructure and Green Technology. This cooperation should be built on the transfer of Experience of the Czech Republic as EU Member State and on the possibilities of cooperation on the third markets. Next Meeting of the Committee will take place in Belgrade towards the end of This Protocol was prepared and signed in two copies both in English Language in Prague, on December 7 th, On behalf of the Republic of Serbia On behalf of the Czech Republic Ms. Jelena Marjanović Assistant Minister of Economy and Regional Development of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Milan Hovorka Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic 11

12 Annex I List of members of the Serbian delegation and the representatives of the municipalities Head of Delegation: 1. Jelena Marjanović, Assistant Minister of Economy and Regional Development; Members of delegation: 2. Zlatko Dragosavljević, State Secretary for Mining in the Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning, 3. Zoran Filipović, Assistant Minister for Energy in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, 4. Dejan Lasica, Assitance Minister for Railway and Intermodal Transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, 5. Branislav Pejčić, Head of Department in the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, 6. Milanka Davidović, Head of Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water management, 7. Jelena Milenković, Head of Section in the Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning, 8. Dijana Stojković, Head of Section in the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, 9. Stanka Radan, Head of Unit in the Ministry Economy and Regional Development, 10. Dragana Ratković, Head of Unit in the Ministry of Finance, 11. Nevena Subašić, Senior Adviser in the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, as the Secretary of Serbian Delegation, 12. Olga Jovanović Hartman, Adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 13. Milija Marković, Economic Adviser in the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Prague, 14. Jovana Joković, Junior Adviser in the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, 15. Rade Mirković, Coordinator for Development Assistance in the European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, 16. Jovan Miljković, Adviser in Serbia Investment and Export promotion Agency, 17. Nikola Marjanović, Director of the Public Water Management Company Srbijavode, 18. Željka Jurakić, Director of the Serbian Environment Protection Fund, 19. Milan Maksimović, Director of Department for Infrastructure in Serbian railways, 20. Svetlana Bajić, Deputy Director of International Relations Department in the National Bank of Serbia, 12

13 21. Radivoje Milanović, Technical Production Coordinator in the Strategy and Investment Department of the Public Enterprise Elektroprivreda Srbije (Electric Power Industry of Serbia), - Zoran Jakovljević, Mayor of City of Valjevo, - Milijana Novaković Head of Municipality Administration of City of Smederevo, - Milovan Petrović, Deputy Mayor of City of Užice, - Jasminka Ristivojević, Deputy Mayor of City of Šabac, - Nenad Krčum, Director of Directorat for construction and urbanism of City of Smederevo, - Tomislav Arnautović, member of Loznica City Council, - Saša Sakić, member of Loznica City Council, - Ivana Ivanović, Protocol of Loznica City Council. 13

14 Annex II List of members of the Czech delegation Head of the Delegation: 1 Mr. Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Members: 2 Ms. Hana Hubáčková, H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Serbia 3 Mr. Martin Pospíšil, Director of the European Countries Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) of the Czech Republic (CR), Head of WG 1 4 Mr. Josef Cílek, Vice-president, Chamber of Commerce 5 Mr. Luboš Joza, Head of the Commercial Dpt. of the Embassy of the CR to the Republic of Serbia 6 Mr. Svatopluk Čech, Secretary of the Czech Delegation 7 Mr. Jiří Michovský, Deputy Director of the Innovations and Investments of MIT 8 Mr. Viktor Vodička, Expert for Development Cooperation, MIT 9 Ms. Olga Svitáková, Head of Department of MIT, Head of WG 2 10 Mr. Lukáš Hlavatý, Department of Energetics, MIT 11 Mr. Jiří Nový, Director of Dpt., Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, Head of WG 3 12 Mr. Miloš Rydval, Ministry of Transport of the CR 13 Ms. Veronika Hunt-Šafránková, Director of Department, Ministry of Environment of the CR, Head of WG 4 14 Ms. Petra Ptáčková, Expert, Ministry of Environment of the CR, 15 Ms. Veronika Ulmanová, Ministry of Environment of the CR 16 Mr. Ondřej Misiaczek, Ministry of Agriculture of the CR, Head of WG 5 17 Mr. Zdeněk Horáček, Head of Dpt. of Water Policy, Ministry of Agriculture of the CR 18 Ms. Eva Anderová, Director of Dpt. of Ministry of Finance of the CR, Head of WG 6 19 Ms. Zuzana Kudelová, Head of Dpt. Ministry of Finance of the CR 20 Ms. Inka Müllerová, Expert, Ministry of Finance of the CR 21 Mr. Petr Plášil, Ministry of Finance of the CR 22 Ms. Michala Davídková, Ministry of Finance of the CR 23 Mr. František Fojt, Expert, Ministry of Finance of the CR 24 Ms. Ivana Hlavsová, Director of South-Eastern Europe Dpt., Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR 25 Mr. Igor Procházka, Expert, South-Eastern Europe Dpt., Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR 26 Mr. Martin Dvořák, Director of Bilateral Economic Relations Dpt., Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR 27 Mr. Zdeněk Kuna, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR 14

15 28 Mr. Jozef Kollár, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR 29 Mr. Michal Pastvinský, Director, Czech Development Agency 30 Ms. Ivana Pejić Povolná, Expert, Czech Development Agency 31 Mr. Petr Talafus, Deputy Director of Foreign Cooperation Dpt. 32 Mr. Pavel Fára, Export Project Manager, Confederation of the Industry of the Czech Republic 33 Mr. Petr Hadrava, Expert, Czech Export Bank 34 Mr. Robert Klán, Credit Manager, Czech Export Bank 35 Ms. Ludmila Ježková, EGAP, Export Guarantee And Insurance Company 36 Mr. Pavel Svoboda, Director of Belgrade Office, Czech Trade 37 Ms. Eva Zakševická, European Countries Department, MIT 38 Mr. Vladimír Bomberovič, European Countries Department, MIT 39 Mr. Zbyněk Peška, European Countries Department, MIT 15