On 15-16 February, a Delegation from the European Commission led by the Director of Financial Instruments in the Directorate-General for Enlargement, Dirk Meganck, will present to the Macedonian authorities the new instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and initiate the preparations of the country to implement the instrument from 1 January, 2007.

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) will replace the current pre-accession instrument, mainly CARDS, the EC stated.

During the two days of the visit, the presentation of the IPA will be made to representatives of the ministries of finance, economy, foreign affairs, agriculture, education, labour and social policy, environment, as well as the Secretariat for European Affairs, who will be the main stakeholders in the implementation of this new instrument.