European Transition Compendium

Work is continuing on the European Transition Compendium, an initiative from DG Development of the European Commission to use the transition experiences of new member states (NMS) to feed into European development policy. A technical seminar in the middle of June united member states representatives, the European Commission and the consultant who will be drafting the compendium.

After a preparatory meeting of NMS platforms at the CONCORD General Assembly TRIALOG policy officer Rebecca Steel took the issues that had been raised to the meeting with the EC and member states. The member states are generally supporting the idea, although it is clear that certain issues remain to be resolved. The questions Rebecca brought up focused on why civil society had not been involved to a great extent so far; why the geographical focus is so broad when transition lessons presumably apply to situations in pre-accession countries rather than developing countries generally and most NMS have clear added value in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans; and how it would be ensured that NMS’ other areas of contribution to development policy would be tied in and not overshadowed by this transition experience focus.

The consultant, Adolfo Sanchez, will be visiting the NMS capitals over the next few weeks and months. NMS platforms are encouraged to contact their Ministries in order to actively participate in this process and ensure civil society voices are heard.

For more information, please contact Rebecca: trialog@concordeurope.org

Information provided by Rebecca Steel, TRIALOG