Tuesday, 16 April 2013
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "EUROPEAN INTEGRATION THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF THE PARLIAMENTS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE INDEPENDENT REGULATORY BODIES IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE"
In the framework of the Macedonian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), held under the motto Solidarity in Action, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia organized the International Conference on the topic: European Integration Through The Cooperation Of The Parliaments, Civil Society And The Independent Regulatory Bodies In South-East Europe, that was held in Skopje on 15-16 April 2013.
Since taking over the Chairmanship of the SEECP Parliamentary Dimension in July 2012, the country has emphasized the readiness for continuation of all the already established forms of regional parliamentary cooperation. In this context, the International Conference is a follow up to the Conference held in April 2012 in Belgrade during the Serbian Chairmanship-in-Office that had a similar structure of participants and emphasis on encouraging dialogue and exchange of positive practices in the field of European integration processes by inclusion and participation of the civil society organizations in the region.
In the preparation of this Conference the organizers had in mind the need for a pro-active civil sector that has continuously been repeated by the EU institutions, the European Movement International and various non-governmental and independent bodies, including those from the SEECP region. The need for increased democratization and active citizens was especially emphasized in the countries aspiring for integration in the Union. In line with this, the European Commission, in cooperation with the European Movement International, adopted the Zadar Declaration and the Ljubljana Declaration that instigated a series of other initiatives for establishing dialogue. The initiative to hold a conference on this topic was a result of the need for more information about the current developments in the countries in the region and in the European Union, and of the clearly expressed need for change that would lead to its internal consolidation. Additional motivation was the need for synergy and coordinated action regarding European integration processes of the parliaments, the non-governmental organizations and other independent entities that, despite the differences in their approach are working towards realization of the same goal.
Parliamentarians, representatives of the national councils of the European Movement and of the independent regulatory bodies from the SEEPCP participating states (Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey), as well as representatives of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) from Sarajevo and the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation in SEE from Sofia, took part at the Conference. The Conference was open for the public and was broadcasted live on the Parliamentary TV Channel of the Macedonian Radio and Television.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Mr. Fatmir Besimi, the Ambassador of the European Union Mr. Aivo Orav, the Ambassador of the United States of America Mr. Paul Wohlers, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Madam Gudrun Steinacher, the President of the European Movement International Mr. Diogo Pinto, the Chair of the SEECP PD Working Group Ms. Ermira Mehmeti Devaja, and the President of the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia Ms. Mileva Gjurovska gave welcoming and introductory addressed.
The participants emphasized that there are various models and experiences regarding the establishing and functioning of the independent regulatory bodies and their relations with the parliaments and the civil society organizations, depending on the legal systems and the political and cultural tradition of the countries. However, the exchange of experiences is important because of the possibility to learn more about their work in other countries and to apply the established good practices and avoid those practices that have not given good results in the other countries.
The participants added that the issues associated with the place and role of the independent regulatory bodies, especially regarding human rights protection, antidiscrimination and corruption prevention, are important for the SEE countries in order to reach and maintain the European standards for the benefit of the citizens, regardless of their national, religious, gender, cultural or other differences.
They reiterated that the parliaments of the European countries, as true representatives of the will of the people, are the central institution of democracy in the contemporary society. But in order to play truthfully and completely the role of a key institution in the political system, parliaments must be respected from all the participants in the political life. The parliaments in transitional societies need greater support from the public and the media and greater respect from the political parties in order to gradually start to play their key role in the democratic life. When a country is in the process of wider integration, the parliaments also need explicit support from outside, from the international community.
Only strong and respected parliament can move forward the reforms in the country and can realistically exercise the control function over the executive. The oversight role of parliaments is of crucial importance and cannot be preformed adequately without the existence of independent regulatory bodies responsible for protection of civil rights and control of the legality in the work of the public authorities. Since the recommendations of these bodies are not obligatory, the civil society organizations and the public are of vital importance for creation of social pressure for their implementation. This is true especially with regard to prevention of corruption and antidiscrimination. Constant public and parliamentary support of the regulatory bodies is needed in the carrying out of their function. This is extremely important for the development of the democratic processes and the rule of law in the SECCP countries.
The debate was divided into three topics: European Integration and Enlargement through the Cooperation of the Parliaments, the Civil Society and the Independent Regulatory Bodies in SEE; Democracy and Human Rights between Legislation and Reality; and The Economic Crisis - A Challenge for Solidarity of Parliaments, the Civil Society and the Independent Regulatory Bodies.
On the second day of the Conference the participants adopted a Joint Statement which, among other things, emphasizes that the role of parliamentarianism and parliaments in the functioning of the democratic society has been increasing and keeps increasing with every step towards integration in the European Union. It also states that the continuous regional cooperation which contributes towards improvement of the relations between parliaments, the independent regulatory bodies and the organizations of the civil society is a common need in line with the interest of the citizens for protection and promotion of their rights.
The SEECP Parliamentary Dimension has in the past fifteen years consistently been contributing to this overarching goal with the Speakers of the region’s parliaments adopting by consensus at their annual Conferences joint positions on action for regional cooperation and European integration. At present they are on the course of institutionalizing their cooperation in the form of a regional assembly of parliaments. This is an important opportunity for building new interaction with the region’s civil society structures and independent regulatory bodies, focusing on issues of common priority interest such as human rights and the rule of law, economic growth and decent jobs, as well as development of trans-European energy and communications infrastructure in SEE.
The final document will be forwarded to the SEECP Summit of heads of state and government, the Tenth Conference of Presidents of the SEECP Parliaments, the European Movement International, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Central European Initiative, and the Regional Cooperation Council, in order to encourage and seek support for the projects and initiatives that will come out of the Conference.
The meeting of the SEECP Parliamentary Dimension Working Group was also held during the International Conference. Representatives of the parliaments from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey, as well as representatives of the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation in SEE and the Regional Cooperation Council participated at the meeting. Opening the meeting, the Working Group Chair Ms. Ermira Mehmeti Devaja said that the presence of the members of the Working Group at the meeting is confirmation of the great interest and commitment of the SEECP parliaments for cooperation on topics of common interest for the region. During the debate special emphasis was given to the working material on the basic principles, guidelines and procedures of the future parliamentary forum. This was ninth meeting of the Working Group, third during the Macedonian Chairmanship-in-Office. The next meeting will be held during the Tenth Conference of Presidents of the SEECP Parliaments in Ohrid when it is expected that the proposals regarding the next stage in the development of the SEECP parliamentary dimension will be finalized.
Representatives of the national councils of the European Movement in Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey and the Secretary General of the European Movement International held a regional meeting. Moderators at the meeting were Ms. Mileva Gjurovska, President of the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia, and Mr. Konstantin Minovski, Secretary General of European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia. The participants engaged in useful exchange of experiences regarding lobbying support for the European movements in the process of European integration. They also discussed the possibility for developing projects and programmes of regional interest. Special emphasis was given to the possibility for establishing a network for cooperation of the European and pro-European oriented movements in SEE.
High level domestic and foreign representatives addressed the International Conference, while representatives of all the SEECP countries (with the exception of Moldavia) participating took part in the panel-discussion and in the two meetings. The dialogue and cooperation of the national parliaments with the independent regulatory bodies and the national councils of the European Movement and other civil society organizations is important for the general visibility of SEECP and contributes to the raising of the awareness and support of the non-governmental sector and the civil society for the activities undertaken in the framework of the SEECP parliamentary dimension. The Conference activities are clear confirmation of the readiness to contribute to the development of the good-neighbourly cooperation during the Macedonian Chairmanship-in-Office of SEECP, as well as to promote the Euro-integration processes in the region. The Republic of Macedonia and the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia demonstrated their ability to successfully organize important events, as well as their capacity to initiate and coordinate the efforts for strengthening and further development of the overall regional cooperation in the framework of SEECP.
The organization of the Conference and the meetings was supported by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the National Democratic Institute, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry Defence.
JOINT STATEMENT