Ministers’ Deputies
Notes on the Agenda
CM/Notes/867/2.1 (restricted) 19 December 2003
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867 Meeting, 8 January 2004
2 Political questions
2.1 Current political questions
a. Activities for the development and consolidation of democratic stability
- Serbia and Montenegro
i. Decentralisation in Kosovo
ii. Trafficking in human beings
-. Regional co-operation - Rapporteur on Local and Regional co-operation
- Ukraine - Situation of the media
- Report on the monitoring mission of the census in “the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
- Schools of Political Studies: a network for democracy
- Council of Europe Forum ”Learning from each other, civil society, intercommunity and interreligious dialogue” – Bosnia and Herzegovina
(Item prepared by the GR-EDS)
Reference documents
GR-EDS(2003)CB19
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Action To take note of the synopsis of the GR-EDS meeting held on 15 December 2003 as it appears in document GR‑EDS(2003)CB19,and to adopt the decisions set out below. |
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Financing assured: YES Comments: Several proposals for activities which were presented to GR-EDS belong to the un-funded priorities of the 2004 Programme of Activities and gave rise to an appeal for voluntary contributions. |
DRAFT DECISIONS
867th meeting – 8 January 2004
Item 2.1a
Current political questions
a. Activities for the development and consolidation of democratic stability
- Serbia and Montenegro
i. Decentralisation in Kosovo
ii. Trafficking in human beings
-. Regional co-operation - Rapporteur on Local and Regional co-operation
- Ukraine - Situation of the media
- Report on the monitoring mission of the census in “the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
- Schools of Political Studies: a network for democracy
- Council of Europe Forum ”Learning from each other, civil society, intercommunity and interreligious dialogue” – Bosnia and Herzegovina
(GR-EDS(2003)CB19, GR-EDS(2003)35)
Decisions
The Deputies
1. took note of the synopsis of the GR-EDS meeting held on 15 December 2003 (document GR‑EDS(2003)CB19);
2. instructed the GR-EDS to explore, in light of the future contacts with the UNMIK, and in particular of the exchange of views it might hold with the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, arrangements for the possible involvement of the Council of Europe in the implementation of the reform of local self-government and public administration in Kosovo, including its financial implications;
3. approved the lines of action proposed as a follow up to the independent experts’ report on trafficking
in human beings in Montenegro, as set out in document GR-EDS(2003)35; and encouraged the governments of member States to make voluntary contributions for their implementation;
4. taking account of the concerns voiced with regard to the Ukrainian law on public morality as well as on various other laws, recalled the decision taken at their 857th meeting (CM/Del/Dec(2003)2.1a) and reiterated their appeal to the Ukrainian authorities to refrain from presenting to parliament for adoption and/or to promulgate laws submitted for an expertise by the Council of Europe, before the results of this expertise can be discussed and taken into account;
5. expressed their appreciation for the Council of Europe initiative “Schools of political studies: a network for democracy” and encouraged the governments of member States to give their financial support in order to contribute to the continuation of this activity in 2004.