Supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans
Recommendation 2237
(2022)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 11 October 2022 (28th sitting) (see Doc. 15609, report of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy,
rapporteur: Mr George Papandreou). Text
adopted by the Assembly on 11 October 2022 (28th sitting).See
also Resolution 2456
(2022).
1. Strengthening democratic resilience
and respect for the rule of law and human rights; promoting reconciliation
and good neighbourly relations; and creating the conditions for
stronger economic and social progress in the Western Balkans are
a geostrategic investment in peace, stability and democratic security
for the whole of Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly, therefore,
firmly believes that helping Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro,
North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo*
Note meet their aspirations
for closer European integration is important not only for the countries
concerned but for the European continent and will benefit all European
citizens.
2. Noting that the revised European Union enlargement methodology,
introduced in 2020, puts an emphasis on democracy, the rule of law
and human rights, areas in which the Council of Europe has an unparalleled
expertise, the Assembly believes that the Council of Europe should
redouble its efforts to help the countries of the Western Balkans
make tangible and measurable progress towards meeting the European Union’s
enlargement criteria.
3. In addition, the Assembly considers that the Council of Europe,
as a political organisation, should play a greater role in promoting
dialogue and inclusive regional co-operation, in the normalisation
of relations and in the solution of bilateral differences and disputes,
in co-operation with the European Union and other like-minded stakeholders.
4. In the light of these considerations, the Assembly invites
the Committee of Ministers to:
4.1 strengthen
the political dimension of the strategic partnership between the
Council of Europe and the European Union in relation to the Western
Balkans;
4.2 further develop co-operation activities addressed to the
countries of the Western Balkans in priority areas such as the rule
of law and good governance, including efficiency, independence and accountability
of the judiciary, anti-corruption, public administration reform
and civil participation in public decision making;
4.3 support civil society initiatives in the region, especially
those relating to reconciliation;
4.4 consider strengthening and expanding the Council of Europe’s
activities relating to confidence-building measures and conflict
prevention in the region;
4.5 step up the political dimension of its engagement in the
Western Balkans, for instance by creating ad hoc working groups,
taking the lead in promoting regional or bilateral dialogue and
supporting the implementation of agreements which are achieved thanks
to the European Union’s mediation or facilitation.
