02/12/2008 | Monitoring
The need for speedier political reforms, including a full revision of the 1982 Constitution, more democratic state institutions and improved social dialogue were among the issues raised by the Chair of PACE’s Monitoring Committee Serhiy Holovaty (Ukraine, ALDE) during a three-day “post-monitoring dialogue” visit to Turkey (24-26 November).
21/11/2008 | Monitoring
As part of the post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey, Serhiy Holovaty (Ukraine, ALDE), Chair of the PACE Monitoring Committee, will be making a fact-finding visit to Ankara and Istanbul from 23 to 27 November 2008, where he will have talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Justice, and with the Head and Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Cassation, and the Chief Judge of the Constitutional Court. Mr Holovaty will also be meeting representatives of the political parties, the media, civil society, the diplomatic corps and religious dignitaries.
20/11/2008 | Monitoring
Albania’s political parties should “commit themselves to maintaining the current momentum for political change” ahead of the major challenge of the coming elections, according to PACE’s two monitoring co-rapporteurs on Albania. In an information note declassified yesterday, Jaakko Laakso (Finland, UEL) and David Wilshire (United Kingdom, EDG) also said Albania should implement adopted legislation more promptly and effectively, and criticised a lack of co-operation with some Council of Europe bodies.
20/11/2008 | Monitoring
PACE’s co-rapporteurs on Monaco have welcomed the progress achieved by the Principality since it joined the Council of Europe four years ago, but pointed to some promises it has not yet honoured. In a declassified information note on a recent visit, Leonid Slutsky (Russia, SOC) and Pedro Agramunt (Spain, EPP/CD) said adoption of the law on the functioning of the National Council would be a key part of the on-going programme to modernise the Principality’s democratic institutions.
20/11/2008 | Monitoring
“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” still faces systemic challenges, eight years after the closing of PACE’s monitoring procedure, and new challenges to democratic institutions have emerged, according to the Chair of PACE’s Monitoring Committee. In an information note on his recent visit, declassified yesterday, Serhiy Holovaty (Ukraine, ALDE) called for “constructive dialogue” between the majority and opposition, currently hampered by a climate of distrust and mutual accusations.
20/11/2008 | Monitoring
Moldova is “moving in a positive direction” in fulfilling the requirements to close the monitoring procedure, according to PACE’s two monitoring co-rapporteurs for the country, but they pointed out that new laws must be applied more effectively. In an information note on a recent visit, declassified yesterday, Josette Durrieu (France, SOC) and Egidijus Vareikis (Lithuania, EPP/CD) said that the 2009 parliamentary elections will be “the ultimate test” of Moldova’s democracy.
03/11/2008 | Monitoring
Within the framework of the post-monitoring dialogue with Bulgaria, Serhiy Holovaty (Ukraine, ALDE), Chair of PACE Monitoring Committee, will be making a fact-finding visit to Sofia on 5-7 November 2008, during which he will have discussions with the President of the National Assembly, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Justice and President of the Supreme Court. Mr Holovaty will also meet the leaders of the parliamentary groups, the Ombudsman, religious dignitaries and representatives of national minorities, NGOs and the media.
03/11/2008 | Monitoring
Serhiy Holovaty (Ukraine, ALDE), Chair of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), will be making a fact-finding visit to Skopje on 3-5 November 2008, within the framework of the post-monitoring dialogue with “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.
24/10/2008 | Monitoring
The co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Armenia of PACE, John Prescott (United Kingdom, SOC) and Georges Colombier (France, EPP/CD), today welcomed the Presidential Decree establishing an expert fact-finding group to look into the events in Armenia on 1 and 2 March 2008 and the circumstances that led to them.
03/10/2008 | Monitoring
Pedro Agramunt (Spain, EPP/CD) and Leonid Slutsky (Russian Federation, SOC), co-rapporteurs on Monaco of the PACE Monitoring Committee, are to make a fact-finding visit to the Principality from 6 to 8 October 2008, to report on the honouring of its obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe.
15/09/2008 | Monitoring
“Serbia must complete its programme of reforms”, said Charles Goerens (Luxembourg, ALDE) and Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC) PACE co-rapporteurs for the honouring of obligations and commitments by Serbia. In a draft report made public today, PACE Monitoring Committee said the strengthening of democratic institutions and concrete implementation of reforms, in particular the reinforcement of parliament, abolition of the "imperative mandate" (a provision making the Members of Parliament entirely dependent on the goodwill of party leaderships) and judicial reform, can but further Serbia's European integration.
12/09/2008 | Monitoring
Jaakko Laakso (Finland, UEL) and David Wilshire (United Kingdom, EDG), co-rapporteurs for Albania of PACE Monitoring Committee, will be undertaking a fact-finding visit to the country, from 15 to 18 September, to review its compliance with its obligations and commitments vis-à-vis the Council of Europe.