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Today I had the honor to address the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy led by its Chairman, Mr George Katrougalos (GUE; Greece), at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as part of the preparation of a report by Mr. George Papandreou. , Greece, on “Supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans”.
In my intervention, I highlighted the ongoing and important work of the Council of Europe in the region, as well as our close cooperation with the EU, mainly through our Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey. I also emphasized that the fundamental strength of our approach lies in its flexibility. We can adapt assistance to changing needs, if necessary and requested:
“It is certainly the role of the Council of Europe to help its member states respect our common European standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
And it is a strategic priority to work with other international organizations that share our values so that together we move forward in the interests of all Europeans.
As such, the European Union is our closest partner and our largest donor.
It is therefore natural that we work together to promote reforms in the Western Balkans:
help these countries put in place the institutions and policies necessary to meet the standards of our Organization and, therefore, better prepare them for the prospect of European integration.
The assistance that the Council of Europe provides to the national authorities of the Western Balkan States is based on the recommendations of our monitoring and advisory bodies. This includes the Venice Commission on very specific constitutional issues.
And the technical cooperation we offer on this basis is unique.
To achieve this, in addition to our expertise, we benefit from the political and financial support of the EU.
Our most important work in the region is outlined in our joint program:
The Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey.
Our program covers four main thematic areas:
– Ensure justice;
– The fight against corruption and organized and economic crime;
– Anti-discrimination and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups;
And to top it all:
– Freedom of expression and media.
These are complemented by several bilateral and regional programs funded by the EU and individual donor countries.
The implementation of the Horizontal Facility and the reforms we promote through it certainly depend on political will. Not just from national authorities, but also from others – including parliaments – whose input is needed to pass laws, supervise and implement reforms and ensure the execution of judgments of the European Court of Rights of man.
The sum of our cooperation projects and programs is presented in a very useful document – an action plan (AP), I explained. Prepared, discussed and negotiated on the basis of consultations with the relevant national authorities, then discussed and agreed within a group of CM rapporteurs before finally being approved by our Committee of Ministers.
The AP is a very useful tool not only for us, but also for authorities and potential donors, because it ensures a sufficient degree of focus and coordination of what we do as an organization in relation to a given country. .
We now have extensive experience in action plans.
There have been many over the past decade.
The tangible results of this technical assistance to Western Balkan countries, whether through the AP or other cooperation documents, are numerous, varied and important.
Today allow me to give you some concrete examples:
In Albania, a land registration hotline has been set up to guide citizens, with a focus on female landowners.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a policy recommendation and roadmap to improve inclusive education.
And in Montenegro, we saw the adoption of a new law on civil partnerships;
In North Macedonia, they launched the first LGBTI helpline in the Southeast European region;
And Serbia amended its anti-discrimination law, calling on the specific expertise of the Council of Europe.
We also look at the region as a whole.
An anti-hate speech campaign “Block the hate, share the love” was the first Western Balkan-wide anti-racism initiative. She brought together diverse personalities around a message of equality and reconciliation. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
At the same time – and this is an important point – this comprehensive approach helps to bring the prospects of integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU closer.
Of course, we are not the EU, but the EU sees a clear advantage in working with the Council of Europe in the region. And for us, this is a way to help important member states in their reform efforts.”
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At the end of my speech, I highlighted a specific point, before ending with a quote from Carl Bildt, former Swedish Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Balkans:
“Looking back, the tragic armed conflict in the territory of the former Yugoslavia cost more than 100,000 lives, displaced millions and set back the economic and social development of the region by decades.
I do not know what conclusions you will reach during your discussions within this committee and in your report, Mr Papandreou.
But I believe that we as an organization have played an important role in the region and that must continue.
Reforms do not always deliver results overnight, but they lay the foundations for lasting progress – political and legal, social and economic.
The physical presence of our field offices is an integral part of this. And the work carried out by staff has been vital, helping to maintain momentum and find ways forward, in sometimes difficult circumstances.
As Carl Bildt has also repeatedly emphasized: “the alternative for the Western Balkans is a return to violence. It’s already arrived. This must not happen again in Europe.
Thank you for your attention.”
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