Ministers' Deputies / Rapporteur Groups
GR-EXT
Rapporteur Group on External Relations
GR-EXT(2014)3 24 February 2014[1]
Annotated agenda
Meeting of 11 March 2014
1. Co-operation with the European Union: Draft report on co operation
DER(2014)1, ODGProg/Inf(2014)1
1. It is recalled that, on 16 November 2011, the Deputies instructed the Rapporteur Group on External Relations (GR-EXT) to prepare a report on co-operation between the Council of Europe and the European Union enabling them to conduct a yearly review of this co-operation. To enable the Group to take stock of the development of co-operation with the European Union, the Secretariat has prepared a draft summary report on this question (DER(2014)1) and a document containing detailed information on the joint programmes conducted in 2013 (see ODGProg/Inf(2014)1). Prior to consideration by the Group, these documents will be presented orally by the Secretariat.
2. Mr Stephan Auer, Director for Multilateral Relations and Global Issues at the European External Action Service, will participate in the discussion. Ambassador Frøysnes, the Secretary General’s Special Representative and Director of the Council of Europe Liaison Office with the European Union, will also be present.
3. On concluding the discussion, the Group will be invited to decide as to further action on the documents in question.
2. Co-operation with the OSCE: Preparation of the 19th meeting of the Coordination Group between the Council of Europe and the OSCE (Strasbourg, 28 March 2014)
4. It is recalled that the Co-ordination Group was established in order to stimulate co-operation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE in four priority areas: the fight against terrorism, the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, the fight against trafficking in human beings and the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination. It brings together the Council of Europe and OSCE focal points responsible for following up these questions, the troika of the OSCE and the Bureau of the Ministers' Deputies of the Council of Europe. The Chair of the GR-EXT and the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and the OSCE also participate in its meetings. The Group meets twice a year.
5. In accordance with its decision taken in March 2009, the Group holds in-depth discussions on two of the priority areas at each meeting, on an alternating basis. The report of the Group's last meeting, held on 25 October 2013 in Vienna, is set out in document CM/Inf(2013)35.
6. The Co-ordination Group will hold its 19th meeting in Strasbourg on 28 March 2014. At that meeting, the Group will review co-operation regarding the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities and the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination, on the basis of the joint reports prepared by the focal points of the two organisations (see documents CE/OSCE(2014)1.
7. In addition to the observations which the Council of Europe focal point (the Chair of the Rapporteur Group on Human Rights (GR-H), Ambassador Drahoslav Stefánek) might wish to make on the state of co‑operation with the OSCE, the delegations will have an opportunity to state their expectations regarding the content and outcome of this meeting as well as any comments they deem appropriate, so that the meeting participants can take these into account in their discussions.
3. “The situation in Syria” – Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2026 (2013) – Draft reply
8. It is recalled that at its previous meeting, the Group examined a first draft reply to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2026 (2013) on “The situation in Syria”. Several delegations proposed amendments to the text, which have been incorporated in a revised draft reply (see CM/AS(2014)Rec2026-prov2).
9. The Group is invited to continue its discussion with a view to finalising the draft reply and submitting it to the Deputies for adoption without further debate at their 1195th meeting (19 March 2014) (item placed “in the box”).
4. Policy of the Council of Europe towards neighbouring regions: Update on the latest developments
10. The Secretariat will inform the Group orally of recent developments concerning the Council of Europe policy towards neighbouring regions.
5. Any other business
11. None.
6. Date of the next meeting
12. Thursday, 15 May 2014 at 3 p.m.