This year marks the 20th anniversary of the European Commission’s Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX), one of its most successful support instruments for countries wanting to join or reinforce their cooperation with the European Union.
TAIEX is a unique form of peer to peer assistance that helps with public administration reform and promotes cooperation on fundamental principles and policies. Its aim is to provide candidates and potential candidates for EU membership, and the EU’s eastern and southern neighbours, with technical know-how and legislative expertise.
Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations said: “The 20 anniversary of the launch of TAIEX is an occasion not only to celebrate, but to reflect on our past experience and future perspectives. Over the course of the past 20 years, TAIEX has proven to be a great success: since its launch, joint achievements have translated into over 40.000 activities, almost 8 events organised per working day. EU Member States have worked hand in hand with partner countries providing guidance when it comes to EU values and legislation to foster stability, security and prosperity throughout the Neighbourhood and enlargement regions.”
TAIEX provided extensive support to the countries which became Member States in 2004 and 2007, and continues to cater to the needs of partners and beneficiaries aiming to join or become closer to the EU.
Support consists of workshops, expert missions or study visits so that experts from the EU Member States’ public administrations can pass on tailor-made expertise to address short-term institutional or capacity-building needs. For example, with the help of TAIEX last year Montenegro amended its Consumer Protection Act and the instrument has been invaluable in the progressive alignment of beneficiary countries’ asylum and migration laws with EU legislation.
