Ministers' Deputies/Rapporteur Groups

GR-DEM
Rapporteur Group on Democracy

GR-DEM(2012)CB2                   7 February 2012[1]

 

Synopsis

Meeting of 2 February 2012

 

The Rapporteur Group on Democracy (GR-DEM), chaired by Ambassador Urszula Gacek, Permanent Representative of Poland, considered the following items in the light of the convocation (cf.
GR-DEM(2012)OJ2).

1.         Republic of Moldova: 

a.         Exchange of views with Mr Eugen Carpov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova

1.         Mr Carpov made a statement, the text of which is reproduced in document DD(2012)74.

2.         Numerous delegations emphasised the importance that they attached to a settlement of the conflict in Transnistria respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.  They pointed out that confidence-building measures were an important way of promoting dialogue between the parties concerned, an absolute prerequisite for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.  Several delegations welcomed the recent relaunch of the negotiation process in the “5+2” format, and the positive atmosphere currently surrounding these negotiations.  They made a positive assessment of the recent change of leadership in Transnistria and hoped that this development would facilitate resolution of the conflict.

3.         In reply to the questions put to him, Mr Carpov confirmed that the change of leadership in Transnistria opened the way for new opportunities with a view to a settlement of the conflict.  He pointed out that the Moldovan authorities were adopting a progressive (step-by-step) approach, as evidenced by the recent meeting in Odessa (Ukraine) between Mr Filat and Mr Shevchuk, which had covered technical issues such as rail and telephone communications in the region.  He also clarified a number of points in respect of the situation in the Security Zone, the status of the participants in the “5+2” negotiation process and the setting-up of a “Euro-region”.  Mr Carpov pointed to his authorities' wish to see Council of Europe standards applied in Transnistria.  He also welcomed the excellent co-operation with the Council of Europe in the identification and implementation of confidence-building measures.

b.         Confidence-building measures in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova

4.         The Secretariat presented document DGII/Inf(2012)1.  It indicated that the confidence-building measures organised in 2011 had been implemented successfully in constant dialogue with the Moldovan authorities, civil society and the local interlocutors in Tiraspol.  He emphasised that, following the start in 2011 of co-operation in three new fields, it was proposed for 2012, at the Moldovan authorities' request, to widen the programme to inter-municipal co-operation.

5.         Several delegations particularly emphasised their interests in the proposed activities. They felt that confidence-building measures were important to combat negative stereotypes, to give different sectors of society the opportunity to take action and work together, and to make a useful contribution to the settlement of the Transnistria issue in the context of the "5+2" negotiation process.  Some delegations particularly emphasised their interest in the proposed activities in the field of media, civil society, education and institutions for the protection of human rights.

6.         In reply to questions raised by several delegations, the Secretariat confirmed that the proposals for activities had been prepared in close consultation with the Moldovan authorities and the interlocutors in Tiraspol, and in coordination with the other international players involved, in order to avoid overlaps and strengthen synergies.  Following a discussion, it was asked to explore ways of supplementing the financing currently available for the programme and to examine the possibility of extending the programme to new activities in view of the openness shown by the new leaders in Tiraspol, so as to report to the Group in due course.

7.         In conclusion, the Chair indicated that draft decisions with a view to ensuring the continuation of the programme in 2012 would be prepared by the Secretariat in the light of the discussion and forwarded to the Ministers' Deputies for adoption at their 1134th meeting (15-16 February 2012).

2.         Kosovo[2]: Draft Agreement between UNMIK and the Council of Europe on the Framework for the implementation of Council of Europe Monitoring Mechanisms in Kosovo (2)

8.         At the Chair's request, the delegation of the Russian Federation presented the amendments which it had proposed to the draft Agreement between UNMIK and the Council of Europe on the Framework for the implementation of Council of Europe Monitoring Mechanisms in Kosovo (2) (see document DD(2012)81).  By way of an introduction, the representative of the Russian Federation expressed the view that the original draft agreement did not constitute a mere technical agreement, but was a substantive agreement, and that it was important to ensure that this agreement was in conformity with international law.  Several delegations pointed to their attachment to the initial draft agreement and to one or the other of the alternatives proposed in document DD(2011)1076-rev.  They believed that the initial draft agreement would make the Council of Europe's work on the spot easier and more flexible, and that, consequently, only this draft would give full lease to the activities of the different monitoring mechanisms to be carried out.  Some delegations took the view that, for want of a satisfactory agreement, it would be preferable to identify other pragmatic means of action.

9.         Two delegations disagreed on the denomination of Kosovo.(2)  Some delegations referred to the information forwarded by the delegation of the Russian Federation in document DD(2012)119 on the draft agreement initially forwarded by UNMIK to the Council of Europe.  The Chair proposed that the Secretariat be invited to take the necessary steps with regard to UNMIK to remove the uncertainties affecting this document.  The Group supported this proposal.

10.        In conclusion, the Chair indicated that she would organise a consultation open to all delegations as soon as the Secretariat had informed her of the result of its contacts with UNMIK.

3.         Serbia: Stocktaking of co-operation with the Council of Europe and fulfilment of statutory obligations

11.        This item was postponed to the next meeting of the Group.

4.         Montenegro: Stocktaking of co-operation with the Council of Europe and fulfilment of statutory obligations

12.        This item was postponed to the next meeting of the Group.

5.         17th Session of the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government (Kyiv, 3-4 November 2011) - Report by the Secretary General

13.        The United Kingdom delegation provided information about the high-level meeting on local and regional democracy which was to take place in London on 13 February 2012 in the framework of the UK Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.  The Group agreed to examine at a future meeting the follow-up action to be taken on the Secretary General 's report on the 17th session of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government.

6.         Any other business

                                                                

14.        None at this stage.

7.         Date of the next meeting

15.       The next meeting will take place on Thursday 23 February 2012 at 9.30 a.m. (to be confirmed).