As of 2012, Republic of Macedonia will again have the opportunity to use funds from European Union programmes "Lifelong Learning" and "Youth in Action", following the European Commission's decision to lift the suspension, said Minister of Education and Science Pance Kralev at Wednesday's press conference.

"In the course of the 1,5-year suspension period, Republic of Macedonia and the European Commission cooperated in determining the activities to be implemented by the National Agency for European Education Programmes and Mobility, and the Ministry of Education and Science in the capacity of national authority over EU programmes, in order to lift the suspension. The final goal was to secure the proper functioning of the National Agency and build national capacities for Union funds' management in line with EC regulations, based on high ethical standards and integrity", said Kralev.

According to him, the National Agency has enhanced its operations from the aspect of determining procedures for securing the ethics and integrity of activities, its structure has been enhanced, internal procedures and efficiency, including transparent financial management and internal control.

"Republic of Macedonia is determined to use 2012 and 2013 for development of stable structure within the Ministry in support of the national authority, which will implement efficient second-instance controls over the operations of the National Agency, as well as turn the Agency into a national structure having a capacity to operate in line with European rules and standards. Efforts will also be invested to include the country in new programme 'Education Europe 2014-2020'", added Kralev.

European Union Delegation to Macedonia Charges d'Affaires Robert Liddell said the programmes would cover all levels of education, starting from kindergarten up to universities.

"The country requires education in order to move forward, just as all European countries need young, flexible people possessing solid education in order to bring the country forward", said Liddell.

He added the programmes would also help the teaching staff, pupils and students to prepare for their future professional careers.

Acting director of the National Agency for European Education Programmes and Mobility, Darko Dimitrov said the calls for applications would be announced in January 2012.

As of 2012, Republic of Macedonia will again have the opportunity to use funds from European Union programmes "Lifelong Learning" and "Youth in Action", following the European Commission's decision to lift the suspension, said Minister of Education and Science Pance Kralev at Wednesday's press conference.

"In the course of the 1,5-year suspension period, Republic of Macedonia and the European Commission cooperated in determining the activities to be implemented by the National Agency for European Education Programmes and Mobility, and the Ministry of Education and Science in the capacity of national authority over EU programmes, in order to lift the suspension. The final goal was to secure the proper functioning of the National Agency and build national capacities for Union funds' management in line with EC regulations, based on high ethical standards and integrity", said Kralev.

According to him, the National Agency has enhanced its operations from the aspect of determining procedures for securing the ethics and integrity of activities, its structure has been enhanced, internal procedures and efficiency, including transparent financial management and internal control.

"Republic of Macedonia is determined to use 2012 and 2013 for development of stable structure within the Ministry in support of the national authority, which will implement efficient second-instance controls over the operations of the National Agency, as well as turn the Agency into a national structure having a capacity to operate in line with European rules and standards. Efforts will also be invested to include the country in new programme 'Education Europe 2014-2020'", added Kralev.

European Union Delegation to Macedonia Charges d'Affaires Robert Liddell said the programmes would cover all levels of education, starting from kindergarten up to universities.

"The country requires education in order to move forward, just as all European countries need young, flexible people possessing solid education in order to bring the country forward", said Liddell.

He added the programmes would also help the teaching staff, pupils and students to prepare for their future professional careers.

Acting director of the National Agency for European Education Programmes and Mobility, Darko Dimitrov said the calls for applications would be announced in January 2012.