Open Report Discussion “Civil Society in the EU Integration of the Western Balkans“

On 5 November 2014, European Movement Albania (EMA)and Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) organized an OpenReport Discussion “Civil Society in the EU Integration of the Western Balkans “with the participation of researchers and civil society.

The aim of the meeting was the presentation of the Report, which provides an analysis of chapters 23 and 24 within the EU accession agenda, and raises the question of how to increase cooperation between governments and civil society focusing in particular on monitoring during the EU integration process, human rights protection, the implementation of an effective migration policy, the impartiality of the judiciary, anti-corruption measures and solid civic education. The part covering Albania in the report was drafted by EMA’s researchers who presented the main findings and recommendations.

In his welcoming speech, Mr.Tomasz Zornaczuk, Project Coordinator from Polish Institute of International Affairs presented main issues of the report co-authored by 20 experts from the Western Balkans. He stated that the experts mapped the problems in each of the subject by providing the existing framework of strategies, legislation and action plans, as well as the practical dimension of civil society—government cooperation in this regard. They offer consolidated recommendations to both the government and civil society, and additional recommendations to the EU, the international community, donors, and other stakeholders, with the aim to enhance collaboration in each country in the particular areas.

Mr. Geron Kamberi, Associate researcher at EMA brought to the public attention the establishment Government Dialogue on Human Rights. Mr. Kamberi expressed that Human rights defenders in Albania consist of a limited number of effective CSOs committed to the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and that the country lacks synergy between CSOs and the two national bodies that monitor the implementation of human rights. Some recommendations for government were: Continue improving the existing cooperation on human rights issues with CSOs by increasing the areas of collaboration and number of CSOs involved; Create a joint monitoring mechanism (government and civil society) on human rights to increase the credibility of the monitoring reports and identify other “hot” issues to address ;Monitor the actual implementation of inputs from CSOs so that there is insight into the practical cooperation between government and CSOs and which would offer a picture of how CSOs’ inputs are accepted in reality.

Mr. Gledis Gjipali, EMA’s Executive Director talked about CSOs as Watchdogs of the Judiciary’s Impartiality and Integrity. He mentioned some recommendation for the government and judicial institutions: Create the required legal framework facilitating cooperation between CSOs and judicial institutions; Access to official documents should be facilitated for NGOs monitoring these institutions. Revise legislation enforcing more transparency and openness from judicial institutions in order to increase the interest of CSOs and other interest groups in cooperation; Vitalize and diversify the existing areas of cooperation with judicial institutions such as the School of Magistrates, Centre for Official Publications, and others, for wider inclusion of interested NGOs. Following the plan to reduce court fees in order to ensure effective access to justice, providing guidance to district and appellate judges concerning the implementation of the 2013 Constitutional Court decision in this matter was presented as a necessity.

Mrs. Blerta Hoxha, Political Specialist, US Embassy focused on the role of NGOs in Exposing Corruption. Some of the recommendations that she mentioned are: Support watchdog organizations by facilitating access to information; Current legislation on access to documents should be revised to improve implementation; Consultations with and the expertise of NGOs in the formulation and development of anti-corruption policies should be a legal requirement; Provide information regularly through an internet portal, not only on public procurement notices but even on monthly and annual reports by companies and on public contracts awarded to them; Involve the business community in monitoring the process of public institutions through joint activities with the NGO sector. This cooperation will also address the issue of lack of funds for NGOs.

The event was followed by questions and comments from the participants. Mainly they were focused on the role of media and transparency in administration institutions.

The publication “Civil Society in the EU Integration of the Western Balkans” is available for download at Report- Civil Society in the EU Integration of the Western Balkans- October 2014