The European Commission has released the 2023 European Union (EU) Twinning Program and TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument) report, which reviews the activities of the previous year.
The EU Twinning Program, financed by the European Commission (EC), supports the cooperation of institutions of different countries, strengthens the administrative capacities of recipient countries, helps them implement the necessary reforms and harmonize legislation in accordance with the requirements of EU legislation.
Reports for data, 2023 having participated in the implementation of as many as 23 EU Twinning projects, Lithuania became the leader of this program. Lithuanian institutions managed ten projects, and participated in thirteen as junior partners together with institutions from other EU member states. in the implementation of EC-financed twinning projects in 2023. Italy, France, Germany and Poland rank after Lithuania in terms of activity.
“The knowledge of the Lithuanian public sector – our civil servants and other experts – and the accumulated experience of reforms are highly valued by the European Commission. Therefore, Lithuania is a suitable and desirable partner in EU partner countries. By exporting our know-how in good governance, environmental protection, health, consumer protection, customs, anti-corruption and many other areas, we are expanding our circle of contacts and like-minded people, contributing to the creation of the rule of law and a better environment for business, and strengthening those who seek to follow the European path governments of democratic countries. Having gained this momentum, we are also increasing the weight of our foreign policy in the European community,” noted Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis.
The support of public sector experts is especially important for partner countries in their pursuit of EU membership, adopting and applying best practices and standards. in 2023 December. After the European Council decided to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and granted candidate status to Sakartvel, the contribution of TAIEX and the Twins program to the process of preparation for accession and reforms will be particularly significant.
in 2023 Lithuania implemented EU Twinning projects in Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Palestine, Rwanda, Sakartvel, Tunisia, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Over 100 Lithuanian experts in 2023 participated in TAIEX expert events aimed at sharing good practices and experiences of the public sector. The most active were experts from the Communications Regulatory Service, Customs and Police Departments, State Consumer Rights Protection Service, State Border Guard Service, Special Investigation Service, State Food and Veterinary Service, General Prosecutor’s Office, the Bank of Lithuania, and the Lithuanian Transport Security Administration.
Since 2004 Lithuanian institutions alone or with partners in consortia have won 140 Twinning projects for a total of almost 130 million. amount of euros. Most of the projects will be implemented in the Eastern Neighborhood and other EU development countries, as well as in the Southern Neighborhood. Lithuanian institutions are also trying their hand far outside Europe, in countries such as Rwanda and Cambodia.
Press release
