The overall objective of Working Table II is to stimulate economic growth and employment in South Eastern Europe through the development and implementation of regional strategies in infrastructure, trade and investment. An important element of this objective is to ensure that economic reforms are underpinned by adequate social policies. Key activity areas of Working Table II comprise: Energy & Infrastructure: Trade, Investment & Employment; Social Cohesion; Housing & Urban Management. 

Working Table II: ARCHIVES / Documents

Dublin workshop provides SEE officials with an opportunity to look at mechanisms for social partnership: The Workshop, entitled "Partnerships for Sustainable Economic Development", was the last event under the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe's Enterprise Development and Employment Generation Programme, that has provided a forum for SEE officials from different Working Table II initiatives particularly the Investment Compact and the Initiative for Social Cohesion to meet and discuss issues of common concern.  The event took place in Dublin on 5 and 6 July 2007 and its main objective was to examine the topic of social partnerships, a concept that brings together the different stakeholders from the social and economic fields meet to discuss and agree on a common series of actions to improve socio-economic development.    Ireland is deemed to provide a good example of successful social partnership (the concept was pioneered in Scandinavia), where government, industry, organised labour, agriculture and the social sector have worked together over the past twenty years to develop a series of practical, transparent, agreed, resourced and well communicated development plans which concentrates on the country’s competitive advantages.

In addition to allowing the SEE officials to exchange views with practioners from the relevant Irish organisations, the workshop also provided an opportunity to look at the key issues that impact on the development of sustainable social partnerships in South Eastern Europe and encouraged them to continue collaboration among the different social partners under the new umbrella of the Regional Cooperation Council. The SEE participants comprised: senior officials from ministries responsible for economic policy and of employment/social affairs, representatives of Investment Agencies, SME Development Agencies, Employment Agencies, as well as representatives of social partners. The event was financially supported by Irish Aid. [More]

Regional Table Meeting in Zagreb, 10 May 2007  [more]

UPDATE / CEFTA 2006:   Parliamentarians from each of the eight CEFTA parties (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and UNMIK /Kosovo) gathered in Brussels on 19 and 20 April for a seminar on this new, ambitious and inclusive trade agreement.  The seminar, which was jointly organised by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the Stability Pact office, aimed at providing parliamentarians with an overview of CEFTA in the context of the EU accession process, the multilateral trading system and the overall business climate in South Eastern Europe.    It also provided an opportunity for parliamentarians to gain a better understanding of the obligations assumed under the agreement. Speakers included representatives from DG Enlargement, DG Trade and the OECD as well as senior trade experts who have worked with the Stability Pact’s Trade Working Group on the CEFTA negotiations. To date, three parties – Albania, Montenegro and UNMIK/Kosovo have ratified the agreement which is expected to come into force in mid 2007.  Further information including the agenda and a number of presentations is set out below.

• Agenda
• Presentations
  • A Reader's Guide to CEFTA 2006; Magnus Wijkman - SP TWG
  • The Economic Situation in SEE and the Role of Trade and Investment; Anthony O'Sullivan - OECD
  • Regional Trade Agreements, an EU Perspective; Lars Nilsson - EC
  • CEFTA in the World Trade System; Patrick A. Messerlin - GEM

Strengthening social dialogue for improving occupational safety and health in South East Europe
A South East European Tripartite Seminar, 28 – 29 June, 2007 Budapest , Hungary

The Stability Pact and UN-HABITAT joined forces in facilitating the consultative development of a “Regional Capacity Strengthening Programme for Urban Development and Housing in South Eastern Europe (RCSP)” to be based in the region. Supported by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the Governments of Switzerland and Luxemburg, an UN-HABITAT expert team is currently holding detailed consultations with SEE stakeholders at national and local level to finalise the programme preparations. [Read more]

• Link to Working Table II brochure [ inside -  outside]
• WT II Strategy and Approach for 2003 and beyond, Progress Report [more]