2. To these ends the Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall cooperate to:
- exchange information on macroeconomic performance and prospects and on strategies for development,
- analyse jointly economic issues of mutual interest, including the framing of economic policy and the instruments for implementing it.
3. At the request of the authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Community may provide assistance designed to support the efforts of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia towards the introduction of full convertibility of the Denar and the gradual development of its policies towards those of the European Monetary System. Cooperation in this area will include informal exchange of information concerning the principles and the functioning of the European Monetary System and the European System of Central Banks.
Article 82. Statistical Cooperation
1. Cooperation in the area of statistics shall aim at the development of an efficient and sustainable statistical system capable of providing in due time reliable, objective and accurate data needed to plan and monitor the process of transition and reform in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It shall enable the national statistical system coordinated by the State Statistical Office to meet better the needs of its customers, both public administration and private businesses. The statistical system is to respect the fundamental principles of statistics issued by the United Nations and the stipulations of the European Statistical law and develop towards the acquis communautaire in statistics.
2. To this end the Parties may cooperate in particular:
- to promote the development of an efficient statistical service in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia based on an appropriate institutional framework,
- to develop and maintain national capacity for collecting, processing and disseminating statistical information of high quality using modern technologies in the most efficient way,
- to provide private and public sector economic operators and the research community with the appropriate socio-economic data needed to monitor state reforms,
- to enable the national statistical system to adopt the principles and standards of the European statistical system,
- to ensure the confidentiality of individual data.
3. Cooperation in this field shall include, but not limited to, providing information on methods, participation in selected EUROSTAT working groups and exchange of statistical data.
Article 83. Banking, Insurance and other Financial Services
1. The Parties shall cooperate with the aim of establishing and developing a suitable framework for the encouragement of banking, insurance and financial services sector in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The cooperation shall focus on:
- the adoption of a common accounting system compatible with European standards,
- the strengthening and restructuring of the banking, insurance and other financial sectors,
- the improvement of supervision and regulation of banking and other financial services,
- the exchange of information in particular in respect of proposed legislation,
- the preparation of translations and terminology glossaries.
2. The Parties shall cooperate with the aim of developing efficient audit systems in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia following the harmonised Community methods and procedures.
Cooperation shall focus on:
- technical assistance to the Office of Auditors in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
- the establishment of internal audit units in official agencies,
- the exchange of information with regard to auditing systems,
- the standardisation of audit documentation,
- training and advisory operations.
Article 84. Investment Promotion and Protection
1. Cooperation between the Parties shall be aimed at establishing a favourable climate for private investment, both domestic and foreign.
2. The particular aims of cooperation shall be:
- for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to improve a legal framework which favours and protects investment,
- the conclusion, where appropriate, with Member States of bilateral agreements for the promotion and protection of investment,
- the implementation of suitable arrangements for the transfer of capital,
- the improvement of investment protection.
Article 85. Industrial Cooperation
1. Cooperation shall be aimed at promoting the modernisation and restructuring of the industry and individual sectors in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as industrial cooperation between economic operators of both sides, with the particular objective of strengthening the private sector under conditions that ensure that the environment is protected.
2. Industrial cooperation initiatives will reflect the priorities determined by both Parties. They will take into account the regional aspects of industrial development, promoting trans-national partnerships when relevant. The initiatives should seek in particular to establish a suitable framework for undertakings, to improve management know-how and to promote markets, market transparency and the business environment.
Article 86. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
The Parties shall aim to develop and strengthen private sector small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the establishment of new undertakings in areas offering potential for growth and cooperation between SMEs in the Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Article 87. Tourism
Cooperation between the Parties in the field of tourism will be aimed at facilitating and encouraging tourism and tourist trade through know-how transfer, participation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in important European tourism organisations and studying the opportunities for joint operations, notably in regional tourism projects.
Article 88. Customs
1. The aim of cooperation shall be to guarantee compliance with all the provisions scheduled for adoption in the area of trade and to achieve the approximation of the customs system of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to that of the Community, thus helping to pave the way for liberalisation measures planned under this Agreement.
2. Cooperation shall include the following in particular:
- the exchange of information including on the methods of investigation,
- the development of cross-border infrastructure between the Parties,
- the possibility of interconnection between the transit systems of the Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as the adoption and use of the Single Administrative Document (SAD),
- the simplification of inspections and formalities in respect of the carriage of goods,
- support for introduction of modern customs information systems.
3. Without prejudice to further cooperation provided for in this Agreement, and in particular Articles 76, 77 and 78, mutual assistance between administrative authorities in customs matters of the Parties shall take place in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 5.
Article 89. Taxation
The Parties will establish cooperation in the field of taxation including measures aiming at the further reform of the fiscal system, the modernisation of the tax services with a view to ensuring effectiveness of tax collection and the fight against fiscal fraud.
Article 90. Social Cooperation
1. With regard to employment, cooperation between the Parties shall focus notably on upgrading job-finding and careers advice services, providing back-up measures and promoting local development to assist industrial and labour market restructuring. It shall also include measures such as studies, the secondment of experts and information and training operations.
2. With regard to social security, cooperation between the Parties shall seek to adapt the social security system of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the new economic and social requirements, notably by providing the services of experts and organising information and training activities.
3. Cooperation between the Parties will involve the adjustment of legislation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia concerning working conditions and equal opportunities for women and men.
4. The Parties shall develop cooperation between them with the aim of improving the level of protection of the health and safety of workers, taking as a reference the level of protection existing in the Community.
Article 91. Education and Training
1. The Parties shall cooperate with the aim of raising the level of general education and professional qualifications in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia taking into consideration the priorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
2. The Tempus programme will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two Parties in the field of education and training, promoting democracy, the rule of law and economic reform.
3. The European Training Foundation will also contribute to the upgrading of training structures and activities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Article 92. Cultural Cooperation
The Parties undertake to promote cultural cooperation. This cooperation serves, inter alia, to raise mutual understanding and esteem between individuals, communities and peoples.
Article 93. Information and Communication
The Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will take the measures necessary to stimulate the mutual exchange of information. Priority will be given to programmes aimed at providing the general public with basic information about the Community and professional circles in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with more specialised information.
Article 94. Cooperation In the Audio-visual Field
The Parties shall cooperate to promote the audio-visual industry in Europe and encourage co-production in the fields of cinema and television.
The Parties will coordinate, and where appropriate, harmonise their policies on the regulation of content aspects of cross-border broadcasting, paying particular attention to matters relating to the acquisition of intellectual property rights for programmes and broadcast by satellite or cable.
Article 95. Electronic Communications Infrastructure and Associated Services
The Parties will strengthen cooperation in the area of electronic communications infrastructures, including classical telecommunications networks and relevant electronic audio-visual transport networks, and associated services, with the objective of ultimate alignment with the acquis by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia one year after the entry into force of the Agreement.
The abovementioned cooperation will focus on the following priority areas:
- policy development,
- legal and regulatory aspects,
- institution building required for a liberalised environment,
- modernisation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's electronic infrastructure and its integration into European and world networks, with a focus on improvements at a regional level,
- international cooperation,
- cooperation within European structures especially those involved in standardisation,
- coordinating positions in international organisations and fora.
Article 96. Information Society
The Parties agree to strengthen cooperation with the objective of further developing the Information Society in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Global objectives will be preparing society as a whole for the digital age, attracting investments and interoperability of networks and services.
The authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with the assistance of the Community, will review carefully any political commitment undertaken in the European Union with the objective of aligning its own policies on those of the Union.
The authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will establish a plan for the adoption of Community legislation in the area of the Information Society.
Article 97. Consumer Protection
The Parties will cooperate in order to align the standards of consumer protection in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on those of the Community. Effective consumer protection is necessary in order to ensure that the market economy functions properly, and this protection will depend on the development of an administrative infrastructure in order to ensure market surveillance and law enforcement in this field.
To that end, and in view of their common interests, the Parties will encourage and ensure:
- the harmonisation of legislation and the alignment of consumer protection in the Republic of Macedonia on that in force in the Community,
- a policy of active consumer protection including the increase of information and development of independent organisations,
- effective legal protection for consumers in order to improve the quality of consumer goods and maintain appropriate safety standards.
Article 98. Transport
1. In addition to the Agreement between the European Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the field of transport, the Parties shall develop and step up the cooperation in order to enable the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to:
- restructure and modernise transport and related infrastructure,
- improve movement of passengers and goods and access to the transport market, by the removing of administrative, technical and other barriers,
- achieve operating standards comparable to those in the Community,
- develop a transport system compatible with and aligned on the Community system,
- improve the protection of environment in transport, reduction of harmful effects and pollution.
2. Cooperation shall include the following priority areas:
- the development of road, rail, airport and port infrastructure and other major routes of common interest and Trans-European and Pan-European links,
- the management of railways and airports, including appropriate cooperation between the relevant national authorities,
- road transport, including taxation and social and environmental aspects,
- combined rail and road transport,
- the harmonisation of international transport statistics,
- the modernisation of technical transport equipment in line with Community standards, and assistance in acquiring financing to that end, particularly as regards road-rail transport, multi-modal transport and transhipment,
- the promotion of joint technological and research programmes,
- the adoption of coordinated transport policies that are compatible with those applied in the Community.
Article 99. Energy
1. Cooperation will reflect the principles of the market economy and the European Energy Charter Treaty, and will develop with a view to the gradual integration of Europe's energy markets.
2. Cooperation shall include the following in particular:
- formulation and planning of energy policy, including modernisation of infrastructure, improvement and diversification of supply and improvement of access to the energy market, including facilitation of transit,
- management and training for the energy sector and transfer of technology and know-how,
- the promotion of energy saving, energy efficiency, renewable energy and studying the environmental impact of energy production and consumption,
- the formulation of framework conditions for restructuring of energy utilities and cooperation between undertakings in this sector.
Article 100. Agriculture, and the Agro-industrial Sector
Cooperation in this field shall have as its aim the modernisation and restructuring of agriculture and the agro-industrial sector, water management, rural development, the gradual harmonisation of veterinary and phytosanitary legislation with Community standards and the development of fishery and forestry sectors in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Article 101. Regional and Local Development
The Parties will strengthen regional development cooperation, with the objective of contributing to economic development and reducing regional imbalances.
Specific attention will be given to cross-border, trans-national and interregional cooperations. To this end, the exchange of information and experts may be undertaken.
Article 102. Cooperation In Research and Technological Development
1. The Parties shall promote bilateral cooperation in civil scientific research and technological development (RTD) on the basis of mutual benefit and, taking into account the availability of resources, adequate access to their respective programmes, subject to appropriate levels of effective protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights (IPR).
2. Science and technology cooperation shall cover:
- the exchange of scientific and technical information,
- the organisation of joint scientific meetings,
- joint RTD activities,
- training activities and mobility programmes for scientists, researchers and technicians engaged in RTD on both sides.
3. Such cooperation shall be implemented according to specific arrangements to be negotiated and concluded in accordance with the procedures adopted by each Party, and which shall set out, inter alia, appropriate IPR provisions.
Article 103. Environment and Nuclear Safety
1. The Parties shall develop and strengthen their cooperation in the vital task of combating environmental degradation, with the view to supporting environmental sustainability.
2. Cooperation could centre on the following priorities:
- combating local, regional and cross-border pollution (air, water quality, including waste water treatment and drinking water pollution) and establishing effective monitoring,
- development of strategies with regard to global and climate issues,
- efficient, sustainable and clean energy production and consumption, safety of industrial plants,
- classification and safe handling of chemicals,
- waste reduction, recycling and safe disposal, and the implementation of the Basle Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal (Basle 1989),
- the environmental impact of agriculture; soil erosion and pollution by agricultural chemicals,
- the protection of forests, the flora and fauna; the conservation of bio-diversity,
- town and country planning, including construction and urban planning,
- environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment,
- continuous approximation of laws and regulations to Community standards,
- international Conventions in the area of environment to which the Community is Party,
- cooperation at regional level as well as cooperation within the framework of the European Environment Agency,
- education, information and awareness on environmental issues.
3. In the field of protection against natural disasters, the aim of cooperation is to ensure the protection of people, animals, property and environment against man-made disasters. To this end the cooperation could include the following areas:
- exchange of the outcome of scientific and research development projects,
- mutual monitoring, early notification and warning systems on hazards, disasters and their consequences,
- rescue and relief exercises and assistance systems in case of disasters,
- exchange of experience in rehabilitation and reconstruction after disaster.
4. Cooperation in the field of nuclear safety could cover the following topics:
- upgrading the laws and regulations of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on nuclear safety and strengthening the supervisory authorities and their resources,
- radiation protection, including environmental radiation monitoring,
- radioactive waste management: the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia undertakes to provide to the Stabilisation and Association Council information concerning any intention to import or store radioactive waste,