Ministers' Deputies / Rapporteur Groups

GR-DEM
Rapporteur Group on Democracy

GR-DEM(2014)3                        6 March 2014[1]

 

Annotated agenda

Meeting of 18 March 2014

 

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

            (SG/Inf(2014)5, DD(2014)291)

1.         It is recalled that at the Group’s previous meeting, after the stocktaking of co-operation with the Council of Europe had been discussed, the Chair asked the Secretariat to prepare revised draft decisions in the light of the discussion. The draft appears in document DD(2014)291 (to be issued). The Group is invited to consider these revised draft decisions with a view, as appropriate, to forwarding them to the Ministers’ Deputies for adoption without debate at their 1196th meeting (2 April 2014).

 

2.         Azerbaijan: Draft action plan

                (ODGProg/Inf(2014)2)

2.         A draft action plan covering the period 2014-2016 (see document ODGProg/Inf(2014)2) has been prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the Azerbaijani authorities in order to continue rendering this country assistance in meeting its obligations and commitments in the Council of Europe. Following the presentation of the draft action plan by the Secretariat and any comments that the delegation of Azerbaijan might wish to make, the Group will be invited to hold an exchange of views on this document with a view, as appropriate, to forwarding the draft decisions below to the Ministers’ Deputies for adoption without debate at their 1196th meeting (2 April 2014).

Draft decisions The Deputies, 1.             approved the 2014-2016 action plan intended to support reforms in the field of human rights, rule of law and democracy in Azerbaijan, as set out in document ODGProg/Inf(2014)2; 2.         instructed the Secretariat to explore ways of supplementing the funding currently available for the action plan, in close co-ordination with the Azerbaijani authorities, and invited member States to envisage providing voluntary contributions for that purpose; 3.         instructed the Secretariat to ensure the implementation of the action plan and to report in due course to their Rapporteur Group on Democracy (GR-DEM).

3.         Kosovo[2]: Co-operation activities - State of play

3.         It is recalled that owing to lack of time this item could not be discussed by the Group at its previous meetings. As the Secretary General announced at the 1185th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (19‑21 November 2013), the Secretariat will inform the delegations orally of the conduct and the outcome of the first meeting of the working group between the Council of Europe Secretariat and representatives of the competent authorities of Kosovo², held in Pristina on 18 November 2013. Delegations will then have the possibility to ask questions or make comments on future Council of Europe activities in Kosovo².

4.         Armenia: Implementation of the action plan - Progress review report

            (ODGProg/Inf(2013)21)

4.         It is recalled that at their 1138th meeting (28 March 2012), the Ministers’ Deputies approved an action plan to provide the Armenian authorities with assistance for the period 2012-2014.

5.         In the light of document ODGProg/Inf(2013)21, which will be presented orally by the Secretariat, and of any comments that the Armenian delegation may wish to make, the Group will be invited to hold an exchange of views on the implementation of the action plan over the period from March 2012 to December 2013. The Group will then be invited to consider the following draft decisions with a view, as appropriate, to forwarding them to the Ministers’ Deputies for adoption without debate at their 1196th meeting (2 April 2014).

Draft decisions The Deputies, 1.             took note of the progress report on the implementation of the action plan for Armenia, as it appears in document ODGProg/Inf(2013)21; 2.         welcomed the progress achieved in implementing the action plan and encouraged the swift completion of all the objectives set therein; 3.         expressed their gratitude for the contributions to the financing of the activities and instructed the Secretariat to look into ways to complement the available budget for the action plan; 4.         also instructed the Secretariat to present a final report on the results of the action plan at the end of implementation period.

5.         “The functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine” – Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2035 (2014) – Examination of a draft reply

            (CM/AS(2014)Rec2035-prov)

6.         At their 1191st meeting (12-13 February 2014), the Ministers’ Deputies invited the GR-DEM to prepare a draft reply to the aforementioned Recommendation. In order to assist the Group, the Secretariat has prepared elements that could be used as a basis for preparing a draft reply (see CM/AS(2014)Rec2035-prov). The Group is invited to examine these elements and to decide on the follow-up.

6.         World Forum for Democracy (23-29 November 2013) – Final report

            (DGII/Inf(2014)3)

7.         It is recalled that at its meeting on 21 January 2014, the Group held an initial discussion on the results of the World Forum for Democracy (see GR-DEM(2014)CB1). As agreed at that meeting, the Secretariat has prepared a final report on this event, contained in document DGII/Inf(2014)3. After the presentation of this report by the Secretariat, delegations will have the opportunity to ask questions or make comments concerning this latest Forum and the preparation of the following one, foreseen next autumn.

7.         Any other business

8.         None.

8.         Date of the next meeting

9.         The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 3 April 2014 at 10 a.m.