Preparing Public Administrations for the European Administrative Space

Abstract

This publication contains an overview of the seminar, background papers — including an inventory of how candidate countries plan to manage European integration — as well as ten points which emerged during the panel discussions of senior negotiators. Chapters have been grouped around the three main topics which the seminar addressed: (1) managing EU affairs; (2) membership negotiations and preparation for accession; and (3) preparing to join the emerging “European Administrative Space”. Ensuring the smooth running of a multi-country seminar away from the SIGMA Secretariat required intense organisational and logistical work. The conference facilities provided by the Greek hosts, together with their sharing of information on what is involved in becoming an EU Member State, and on their efforts in administrative reform, contributed to the seminar’s success. SIGMA wishes to thank Nelli Sakellariadou from the Greek Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation for co-ordinating the event. SIGMA staff Linda Duboscq, Winnie Marshall and Joanne Stoddart provided logistical support, and Michal Ben-Gera, Jacques Fournier and Tony Verheijen developed the programme, wrote background papers and co-chaired the sessions with the Greek hosts. Other background papers and presentations were provided by experts in the field.

Comparative administrative law in Europe: State-of-the-art overview and research agenda

“…43 Moreover, reforms through the EU accession process have also relied on comparative administrative law such as the papers produced by the OECD under the Sigma capacity building programme. 44 Finally, the Reneual network 45 provided extensive comparative analysis in aso far unsuccessfulattempt to contribute to the adoption of a Regulation on an EU administrative procedure act. 46 This lively comparative work is developing around an extended epistemic community, facilitated through specific research centres drawing doctoral students for research visits, 47 or the organization of joint doctoral events.…”