In the first part of the first working day of the Regional Conference “Effective Monitoring and Parliamentary Oversight of IPA Funds”, held from 11 to 14 October in Ohrid, the focus was placed on the representation of the IPA programme as well as the role of the parliament in the effective monitoring over the use of the EU funds. The goals inclusive of building of democratic institutions capable of dealing with the economic and social reforms, which represent the key of the EU integration, were pointed out. Additionally, the need to build human and technical capacities was emphasised as a very important aspect with regard to use of the IPA funds.

In continuation of the work, the topics included the IPA II, which will be valid for the period 2014-2020. In that regard, it was pointed out that the IPA II user countries would have to pay special attention to drafting of documents that would promote the multi-year planning and strategic approach. In respect of IPA II, an even greater degree of transparency and efficiency would be insisted upon, and in that context it was pointed out that there was no clear awareness of the complexity and the long-term duration of the process. This was especially pointed out in consideration of the fact that each following stage in the EU approaching process would entail the obligation of a tighter control and auditing of IPA funds spending, but also harmonisation of projects with the country's priorities in the accession process.

Within the presentation of experiences of the parliamentary oversight over the IPA funds of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, the topics included organising of control hearings which had significantly contributed to development of the oversight function of the parliament. With that regard, it was pointed out that, following the control hearings, a report containing the measures, recommendations and conclusions would be drafted, and then forwarded to the Government and the relevant institutions for review. Furthermore, in June of the current year, the Committee on European Integration organised its first oversight meeting dedicated to use of IPA funds, with focus on the absorption of funds.

In the second part of the day, the Scottish Parliament presented its experiences from the moment of budget adoption until its consideration in the Committee, and then its final adoption in the Parliament. The obligation of drafting a financial memorandum, which would be considered by the Finance Committee and then returned to the Government for revision as needed, was especially pointed out.

The Montenegrin delegation at this Conference consists of the following: Mr Genci Nimanbegu, Mr Šefkija Murić, Mr Srđa Popović andMr Aleksandar Damjanović.