A/RES/71/13
Cooperation between the United Nations and the Central European Initiative
4.
Also welcomes, in this context, the cooperation established through
memorandums of understanding with specialized organizations, such as the
Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative, based in Skopje, the International
Centre for Migration Policy Development, based in Vienna, and the International
Organization for Migration, based in Geneva;
5.
Notes the vigorous efforts of the Central European Initiative to support,
elaborate and realize concrete joint regional projects in strategic areas, often in
cooperation with other important regional and international players, in order to
increase the financial support for projects in the region;
6.
Appreciates, in this context, the efforts undertaken by the Initiative in
intensifying its cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe through joining forces for the implementation of three pr ojects addressing
relevant issues on gender equality, on the fight against corruption and on
reconciliation in the region;
7.
Acknowledges, also in this context, the fruitful cooperation between the
Initiative and the European Union, as one of the main co -funders of the Initiative’s
projects, and supports the continuous efforts of the Initiative to take concrete steps
to establish additional mutually beneficial partnerships with the European Union;
8.
Also acknowledges the commitment of the Initiative to supporting its
non-European Union member States in their integration and modernization
processes;
9.
Welcomes, in this context, the decision of Belarus to take over the
Initiative’s annual presidency in 2017;
10. Also welcomes the continuing financial support by the Central European
Initiative Trust Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
financed entirely by Italy, funding mainly technical cooperation projects related to
larger operations of the Bank in non-European Union States members of the
Initiative, and covering relevant areas including agriculture, transport, energy,
assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises, municipal infrastructure and
services, banking, insurance, institution-building and capacity-building;
11. Appreciates the significant contribution of the Initiative in providing
grants for small-scale multilateral projects in priority areas through the Central
European Initiative Cooperation Fund, to which all member States con tribute, as
well as the financial support by the Know-how Exchange Programme, financed by
Austria and Italy, providing grants for projects promoting capacity -building and best
practices in non-European Union member States;
12. Notes the significant contribution of the Initiative in the areas of culture
and the media by supporting various events, prizes and other initiatives promoting,
in particular, intercultural dialogue and press freedom;
13. Also notes the engagement of the Initiative in support of mobility for
young officials, students and researchers through specific instruments and
programmes;
14. Acknowledges the substantial role of the Parliamentary and Business
Dimensions of the Initiative in fostering regional cooperation;
15. Appreciates the commitment of the Initiative to intensifying cooperation
with the United Nations, the specialized agencies and other organizations and
programmes of the United Nations system, in particular mutual participation in
2/3