Strasbourg, 6 November 2012                                                                 CDLR(2012)17

Item A6 of the agenda

 

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY

(CDLR)

PRIORITIES OF THE ALBANIAN CHAIRMANSHIP

OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

For information

Secretariat Memorandum

prepared by the

Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity

Democracy, Institution-Building and Governance Department


This document is public. It will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy.

Ce document est public. Il ne sera pas distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire.


Overview

The Republic of Albania chaired the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for the first time since its accession from 23 May to 9 November 2012.

As stated in document CDLR(2012)3, the Albanian Chairmanship planned to focus on the following priorities:

1. Promoting sustainable democratic societies;

2. Strengthening local and regional democracy;

3. Strengthening the rule of law in Europe;

4. Bringing forward the political reform of the Organisation;

5. Guaranteeing the long term effectiveness of the European Court of Human Rights;

6. Guaranteeing the promotion of human rights;

7. Stimulating intra- and inter-institutional dialogue.

Key Activities

Among the key activities organised under the auspices of the Chairmanship of interest to the CDLR were the following:

Key Political Statements

PACE 3rd part session, 25-29 June 2012

Mr Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly on 25 June 2012, reiterated that the Albanian Chairmanship was fully committed “to enhancing democratic institutions at the regional and local levels.”


PACE 4th part session 1-5 October 2012

In his communication to the Parliamentary Assembly on 2 October, Mr Edmond Panariti, Foreign Minister of Albania and Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, did not directly address issues related to local and regional democracy.

In response to a question from the Earl of Dundee (EDG, United Kingdom), Mr Panariti stressed that “the promotion of local and regional democracy is an important activity of the Council of Europe and one of our priorities.”  He reiterated the importance of coordination of activities in this field and expressed confidence that “flexible ways will be found to enhance coordination between the various bodies.”

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, 23rd Session, 16-18 October 2012

Mr Ferdinand Poni, Deputy Minister of the Interior, recalled that Albania had shared the same priorities as the UK and Ukraine Chairmanships, with regard to the promotion of local and regional democracy, and believes Albania has fulfilled its intention to be active in this field. He noted the major role to be played by local and regional democracy in the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention.  In response to questions, Mr Poni had praise for the work of the CDLR in sharing best practice and expressed confidence that a way may be found to work towards the Agenda in Common.