Doc. 8576

6 October 1999

Need to strengthen the Council of Europe’s presence on the ground

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Ruffy and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and only expresses the views of the members who have signed it

1.       The enlargement of the Council of Europe brings with it a need for the organisation to show greater presence on the ground, in particular in those member states that are facing the greatest difficulties implementing democratic reforms.

2.       The Council of Europe is also increasingly being asked to offer other international organisations its expertise on specific issues on an ad hoc basis.

3.       In the countries in question, a presence on the ground would make it possible to maintain regular contacts with the national authorities, actively to monitor the assistance programmes and to pass on Council of Europe expertise directly to those concerned at all levels. It is also essential for assistance to be provided in full knowledge of the conditions on the ground and the mentalities of the population.

4.       The setting up of Council of Europe information centres and local democracy agencies is a step in the right direction, but these cannot take the place of political representation structures acting as genuine partners of national authorities and representatives of other international organisations.

5.       Council of Europe offices have been opened in Sarajevo, Tirana and, more recently, Pristina. The Assembly welcomes this development, but believes that these ad hoc decisions cannot be a substitute for a coherent policy in this area.

6.       In the opinion it adopted in January 1999 on the Committee of Wise Persons’ report, the Assembly highlighted the need for increased presence on the ground. Unfortunately, the Committee of Ministers has not taken any decision on the matter.

7.       As a result, other international organisations and non-governmental bodies are performing tasks on the ground that fall within the Council of Europe’s fields of competence.

8.       The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       formulate as a matter of urgency a policy for ensuring the medium and long-term presence on the ground of Council of Europe representatives, and begin implementing it immediately;

ii.       afford this policy priority when drawing up the organisation’s budget.

Signed : ¹

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC

Bloetzer, Switzerland, EPP/CD

Dreyfus-Schmidt, France, SOC

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Kuzmickas, Lithuania, EDG

Nedelciuc, Moldova, LDR

Palmitjavila Ribo, Andorra, LDR

Sinka, Latvia, EDG

Surjan, Hungary, EPP/CD

Taylor J.D., United Kingdom, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group