Doc. 9012
2 April 2001

Need to implement Recommendation No. R (2000) 6 of the Committee of Ministers on the status of public officials in Europe

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Lotz and others

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

1.       Considering that history, up to the most recent times, has shown in both western and eastern Europe the difficulties which states face after a change in their political structures;

2.       Considering that the place, role and structure of the civil service are key elements in the smooth running of a country and its government;

3.       Considering that public officials who are neutral and loyal and whose actions comply with the rule of law are fundamental to the future of democracies;

4.       Considering however that members of government have the right to appoint staff members to a cabinet;

5.       Considering that the administration - that is, public officials - remains the central force that can provide a basis for the establishment and consolidation of democratic institutions;

6.       Considering that it is highly desirable for democratic societies to have at their disposal professional staff able to carry out their tasks under the best possible legal and material conditions;

7.       Bearing in mind the steps taken by many European countries to reform their public civil service systems so as to increase their efficiency and productivity and enable them to strengthen the civil societ and to provide users with quality services;

8.       Having regard to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1303 (1996) on the proposal for a second summit of heads of state and government of the Council of Europe, which asked the Committee of Ministers to envisage drawing up European legal instruments relating to civil service systems;

9.       Having regard to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1322 (1997) on civil service in an enlarged Europe and the two colloquies organised by the Parliamentary Assembly in Portoroz in June 1994 and in Geneva in October 1995, which brought together parliamentarians, government representatives, experts and representatives of international organisations;

10.       Having regard to Recommendation No. R (2000) 6 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the status of public officials in Europe;

11.       Considers it necessary to relaunch bilateral and multilateral co-operation on the strengthening of the civil society and civil service issues, so that states can be assured of having efficient, citizen-oriented public officials.

Signed : ¹

Lotz, Hungary, LDR

Burbiene, Lithuania, SOC

Clinton-Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Higgins, Ireland, SOC

Jones, United Kingdom, SOC

Schreiner, France, EDG

Slutsky, Russia, SOC

Turini, Italy, EDG

Von der Esch, Sweden, EPP/CD

Zapfl-Helbling, Switzerland, 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