The engagement of the SP Parliamentary Co-operation Task Force (PCTF) has led to an increased flow of bilateral and regional parliamentary co-operation activities, fuelled by the common perspective of a full Euro-Atlantic integration process.

Consultations with our partners led to the identification of the following priorities:

1. Strengthening the democratic efficiency and effectiveness of the Parliaments in South Eastern Europe
2. Promoting bilateral and multilateral co-operation among Parliaments in South Eastern Europe
3. Contributing to bringing closer to the European Union the parliamentary structures of the region

In order to respond to these challenges, the Stability Pact has engaged actively through:

1. Capacity building seminars and initiatives for MPs and Parliamentary staff with a variety of partners such as OSCE, IMF, National Democratic Institute, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, East West Parliamentary Practice Project etc.
2. Support to regionally initiated parliamentary co-operation structures such as the Western Balkans COSAP, the Cetinje Parliamentary Forum and the SEE Women MPs network
3. Promote internal reforms and bringing the SEE parliamentary structures closer to the European Union through the activities in the framework of theParliamentary Troika and other regionally owned structures

The PCTF activities have often a cross-table and cross-task force dimension and have been agreed with the SEE Parliaments. In fact they reflect the needs and priorities identified by themand expressed in the course of the Task Force biannual meetings.

Towards a regional Secretariat/focal point for Parliamentary Co-operation

Following the decision on a phased evolution of the SP into a more regionally owned, streamlined and effective regional cooperation framework, the Regional Cooperation Council, the activities of the Stability Pact Parliamentary Co-operation Task Force (PCTF) will be gradually handed over completely into local hands, while Parliamentary Co-operation will remain an overarching theme of the new RCC.

To this end, and in order to reach a more effective, co-ordinated and much more institutionalised sustainable co-operation structure between the parliaments of the region, a Regional Secretariat/Focal Point, will be established after the endorsement of the SEECP Speakers of the Parliament of the decision to locate it in Bulgaria.

• Press release on the nomination of Bulgaria as regional Secretariat/focal point for Parliamentary Co-operation in South Eastern Europe & Call for Proposals
  

2007 Announced activities of Parliamentary Co-operation   [Link]

This section, which is regularly updated, provides a calendar of incoming and planned activities in Parliamentary co-operation organized or co-organized by the Task Force PC.

List of SEE Parliaments

This sections provides links to the websites of the Parliaments of South Eastern Europe.

Capacity Building seminars and activities

The training and capacity-building of MPs and parliamentary staff is fundamental to strengthen the capacities of the parliaments. Targeted activities therefore have been implemented through the organization of workshops and seminars, especially gathering together Committees dealing with the same issues.

• Parliamentary Troika Workshops
• Interparliamentary colloquium
• Seminars organized in co-operation with different Foundations and organisations

Support to regionally initiated structures

Following the debate initiated at the Working Table I meeting in Sofia in May 2005, the PCTF has strongly supported the empowerment of regional parliaments, in view of a full regional ownership. Particular attention has been devoted to the following structures, which shall continue to have a fundamental role in the SP transition process and after:

• Conference of the European Integration Parliamentary Committees of States participating to the Stabilisation of Association Process (Western Balkans COSAP)
• Cetinje Parliamentary Forum
• South East Europe Women MPs Exchange Project

Additional Stability Pact documents

This section provides links to the Task Force Progress reports, which have been prepared prior to the Working Table meetings.

• Parliamentary Co-operation Task Force Progress Reports [Link to Regional Table portal]

Resources for Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Staff

This section provides a list of suggested readings related mainly to the main priorities and needs identified by the Parliaments of South Eastern Europe in the course of the biannual meeting of the Task Force as well as in a number of additional meetings.

For further information,

please Contact:

Regional Cooperation Council