Doc. 9176

11 July 2001

Demographic trends and human potential in the countries of central and eastern Europe

Recommendation 1482 (2000)

Reply from the Committee of Ministers

adopted at the 759^th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (4 July 2001)

The Committee of Ministers has given careful consideration to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1482 (2000) on demographic trends and human potential in the countries of central and eastern Europe.

The Committee of Ministers shares the Assembly’s concern over the demographic trends observable both in central and eastern Europe and in western Europe. It is true that historical circumstances have meant that in central and eastern Europe these trends have aggravated an already weakened epidemiological and demographic situation.

In reply to paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Recommendation, the Committee of Ministers recalls its commitment to the promotion of social cohesion, which took concrete form with the adoption of the social cohesion strategy in July 2000.

Many activities being carried out in this context are aimed at improving the quality of life of the peoples of Europe; this is particularly so with the work to promote the quality of life of elderly people needing long-term care and to promote access to employment, especially for vulnerable groups in the transition countries. Generally speaking, all the assistance programmes aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion, which are being implemented in close consultation with the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CDCS), contribute to the realisation of practical social projects in the member states.

The Committee of Ministers moreover keeps welfare benefit systems constantly under review in a procedure for monitoring the application of the European Code of Social Security.

In reply to the Assembly’s considerations regarding health risks and conditions associated with the environment, lifestyles, working conditions or training, the Committee of Ministers recalls its earlier work resulting in the adoption of a wide range of recommendations to member states.

The Committee of Ministers wishes to mention in particular:

- Recommendation R (88) 7 on school health education and the role and training of teachers, the principles of which have been applied in the European Network of Health-Promoting Schools, a tripartite project launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, the European Commission and the Council of Europe. This project now covers 38 countries and is working for an international consensus on the concept of health-promoting schools, and

- Recommendation Rec (2000) 18 on criteria for the development of health promotion policies, which offers member states guidelines for an integrated approach to developing comprehensive and coherent strategies for promoting the health of all their population.

In reply to paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Recommendation, the Committee of Ministers wishes to mention the co-operation programmes being implemented by the European Health Committee (CDSP) in the countries of central and eastern Europe, such as the training programme in the Russian Federation for health care administrators covering “human rights and tuberculosis control policies”.

It also draws the Assembly’s attention to the studies under way in the European Population Committee (CAHP) on the demographic consequences of economic transition in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the demographic impact of social exclusion, and to the programmes organised in the context of Table II of the Stability Pact by the “Social Cohesion Initiative” Working Party.

The Committee of Ministers wishes to assure the Assembly that positive developments have been observed in some countries in the region, where the populations concerned are enjoying an improving quality of life, thanks in particular to better access to their social rights. It is endeavouring, by its commitment, to help extend these favourable circumstances to the whole of the region.