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Le Front citoyen 2016 s'est rendu mercredi et jeudi à La Haye pour rencontrer Fatou Bensouda, la procureure de la CPI, et son bureau. Objectif : sensibiliser sur les tueries à répétition à Beni, dans le nord-est de la RD Congo. Mais pas seulement.

Cet article RD Congo : le Front citoyen 2016 plaide pour que la CPI se saisisse des massacres de Beni est apparu en premier sur JeuneAfrique.com.

A new report by the United Nations human rights office shows that, after two years of conflict, the situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile and continues to have a severe impact on human rights, especially for those living near the contact line and in territories controlled by armed groups.

On 7 June 2016 the Council adopted a general approach on a draft directive on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation. The proposal aims to provide new career prospects and promote the mobility of people working in the sector. It sets up a common system of certificates for the entire crew, from apprentices to boatmasters. Holders of such a certificate will be able to practice their profession on inland waterways across Europe.

Melanie Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus, the Netherlands Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment and chair of the meeting, said: "Through this new EU certificate crewmembers of inland waterway vessels can work without restriction throughout Europe. Newcomers can earn this certificate by demonstrating that they have broad knowledge and skills agreed at the European level. This increases the mobility of workers in the sector and helps to reduce the shortages of qualified personnel."

A single competence-based system for all crew members

The current EU legislation on mutual recognition in the sector only covers boatmasters - and only when they operate on rivers and canals other than the Rhine. The rest of the deck crew is covered by the horizontal directive on the recognition of professional qualifications.

The draft directive will establish a single system that will apply to all deck crew working on any EU inland waterway falling within the scope of the directive, including the Rhine.

The new system will, following calls from the sector and member states, introduce a  competence-based framework similar to those used in other modes of transport.

Better careers in inland navigation

The new system is expected to lower barriers to entry into professions in inland navigation. It will improve career prospects in the sector, making the whole profession more attractive. Automatic mutual recognition will make it easier for people to take jobs wherever they are available. It will also help companies to recruit staff from across Europe. As many companies that are active in the sector are fairly small, increased interest in the profession could help them to expand their businesses, giving a boost to the whole sector. Competence-based qualifications should also improve safety and reduce accident costs.

Strengthening the role of CESNI

The draft directive is, as is the case with the directive on technical requirements for inland waterway vessels, closely linked with the European committee for drawing up standards in inland navigation (CESNI), an international body set up under the auspices of the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR). CESNI will develop various standards in the field of professional qualifications for the Union and the CCNR. As soon as a standard becomes available, a reference to it will be included in the directive.

Taking into account member states' differing circumstances

The general approach introduces a degree of proportionality into the directive, to take account of the situation of member states with little or no inland navigation activity. In such cases, where objective criteria are met, member states will not be required to transpose the directive or certain parts of it.

How will it become law?

The general approach adopted today is the Council's position for talks with the European Parliament. The Parliament has not adopted its position yet. Both institutions must agree on the text before it can enter into force.

Bolstering the use of inland waterways

Inland navigation is a particularly cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of transport. The draft directive is one of the measures which aim to improve its quality and promote its use, particularly for freight shipping (NAIADES II package).

VERECKE. Mónus József íjász távlövő világbajnok a honfoglaló magyar törzseket jelképező hét nyílvessző kilövésével tisztelgett a honfoglaló magyarok emléke előtt a nemzeti összetartozás napja alkalmából pénteken a Vereckei-hágón, a honfoglalás millecentenáriumi emlékművénél, a Feszty-körkép Alapítvány szervezésében.

Vendredi 4 juin 2016, c’est l’heure des derniers réglages sur la plateforme d’Istres avant le meeting organisé ce week-end par la Fondation des œuvres sociales de l’air.

On 7 June 2016 the Council adopted mandates that allow the Commission to start negotiations on comprehensive EU-level air transport agreements with four key partners: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

The agreement with ASEAN is set to become the first EU bloc-to-bloc aviation agreement. The UAE, Qatar and Turkey are among the most dynamic and fastest growing aviation markets. All agreements are directed at allowing market development and growth based on common rules and transparency.

Melanie Schultz van Haegen, the Netherlands Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment and chair of the Council meeting, said: "Europe is showing leadership in its external aviation policy with a balanced approach consisting of market opening based on fair and transparent market conditions."

The goal of comprehensive EU-level aviation agreements is to create new business opportunities, improve market access and ensure fair competition under transparent market conditions. They also aim to increase Europe's international connectivity and ensure a high quality of service for passengers. Airlines, airports and passengers will benefit from enhanced regulatory cooperation and convergence in areas such as aviation safety, aviation security and economic regulation.

The Commission will carry out the negotiations on behalf of the EU and its member states.

BERLIN, 3 June 2016 – Some 20 OSCE parliamentarians were in Berlin this week for an OSCE Code of Conduct conference focused on strengthening parliamentary control of the security sector. The event, which took place 2-3 June, highlighted the important role that parliaments play in both the oversight of armed forces and in increasing the level of political support for the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects, particularly in the context of emerging security challenges.

Speaking at the opening session Thursday, OSCE PA Vice-President Alain Neri noted that at the core of the Code of Conduct is a recognition of the importance of democratic civilian control of the armed and security forces, which means that elected parliaments must have ultimate authority over the activities of the security sector. “It is up to parliamentarians,” he said, “to ensure that fundamental human rights are respected by all security and intelligence services, both public and private.”

He regretted however that “the norms and principles outlined by the Code of Conduct are being breached with a discouraging frequency” and that “there is hardly any participating State across the OSCE region with a comprehensive and fully effective oversight over the private and public security sectors.”

Neri said that members of parliament have a special role to play not only by providing needed oversight, but by increasing the Code of Conduct’s legitimacy and relevance through active political support. For the Code to fulfill its purpose, he pointed out, both experts and parliamentarians are needed to commit to fostering its implementation.

OSCE PA Treasurer and Head of the German Delegation Doris Barnett also spoke Thursday, focusing her remarks on the changing character of conflicts, including the growing number of internal and external actors that are involved in armed conflicts and the role of non-state actors. The term “hybrid warfare” has come to define discussions around security, she pointed out, with civil, economic, informational and technological means being used for aims of war instead of peace.

“To identify who is fighting against whom, with whose support, with which aims and interests – to keep a clear overview, not to mention predicting these relationships, is anything but easy, and therefore an intense inter-disciplinary, trans-sectoral, and international co-operative approach among parliamentarians is required,” said Barnett.

The OSCE PA’s Special Representative in Vienna, Amb. Andreas Nothelle, moderated a session today entitled “Parliamentary Control of Armed and Security Forces and the Role of the Code of Conduct: Perspectives on Furthering Implementation,” and delivered concluding remarks at the closing session.

“If implemented faithfully the Code of Conduct is all-encompassing and sufficiently flexible to address all new challenges of our times,” Nothelle said. “The OSCE PA, in its 2014 resolution on parliamentary oversight over the private and public security sectors, has set guidelines for meeting these challenges.”

Organized jointly by Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, in partnership with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, the event brought together over 100 participants, including parliamentarians from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, senior government officials, representatives of OSCE institutions, OSCE field presences and civil society.

OSCE parliamentarians from 13 countries participated, including several Bureau Members and Special Representatives.

For Vice-President Neri’s full remarks, please click here. Treasurer Barnett’s remarks are available (in German) here.

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Plenary sessions : Tax avoidance by companies cost EU countries €160-190 billion in lost revenue a year. MEPs will discuss new measures to fight the most common practices on Tuesday 7 June and vote on them the following day. Read more about the legislation and check our infographic that shows corporate tax rates and respective tax income by member state.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Plenary sessions : Tax avoidance by companies cost EU countries €160-190 billion in lost revenue a year. MEPs will discuss new measures to fight the most common practices on Tuesday 7 June and vote on them the following day. Read more about the legislation and check our infographic that shows corporate tax rates and respective tax income by member state.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

POZSONY. A kormánykoalíció tagjai, a Smer-SD, a Szlovák Nemzeti Párt (SNS), a Most-Híd és a Sieť tagjai között nincs semmiféle ellentét, a különböző nézetek csak a demokrácia eredményét tükrözik. Ezt ma újságíróknak mondta el Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD).

La 49ème session ordinaire de la conférence des chefs d'État et de gouvernement de la Cedeao se tiendra le samedi 4 juin à Dakar. Voici les principaux enjeux de ce sommet.

Cet article Les dossiers chauds du sommet de la Cedeao qui s’ouvre samedi à Dakar est apparu en premier sur JeuneAfrique.com.

En 2009, alors que les troupes françaises engagées en Afghanistan faisaient face à la menace des engins explosifs improvisés (IED), il fut décidé de les doter de moyens nouveaux avec la commande de 15 blindés multimissions Aravis, offrant une protection de niveau 4, trois véhicules MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) de type Buffalo et deux […]

Cet article Barkhane : Première mission des véhicules blindés Aravis au Mali est apparu en premier sur Zone Militaire.

WARSAW, 3 June 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed concern today over yesterday’s sentencing by a court in Dushanbe of two leaders of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) to life imprisonment, and 11 other high-ranking party officials to jail terms ranging from two to 28 years.

“The harsh sentences handed down yesterday, following the earlier ban of the IRPT and the arrest and harassment of its members and their families and lawyers, raise concerns in relation to the commitments Tajikistan has made as an OSCE participating State to uphold key values of democracy, including political pluralism and political participation,” the ODIHR Director said. “ODIHR has raised this issue with the authorities in the past, and asked for more information on the rationale behind these actions.”

The IRPT party officials were convicted and sentenced by the court on charges that they had conspired in and taken part in the organization of an army coup in the country in September 2015. At that time, the Supreme Court banned the party as an “extremist and terrorist organization”.

The trials leading up to yesterday’s sentences were held behind closed doors, with the proceedings off-limits to the media as well.

“Fair-trial rights are a central element of the rule of law, and measures limiting public scrutiny of and access to criminal proceedings can only undermine confidence that these rights are being upheld,” Director Link said. “ODIHR continues to stand ready to support the Tajik authorities in fulfilling the country’s OSCE commitments in the areas of political pluralism and the rule of law.”

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Russia is backing out of a former pledge to help endangered leopards in Sochi, the Foreign Policy news outlet reported Friday.

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted heavy weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM also noted armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted several times, mostly in areas not controlled by the Government, including once at the border. An SMM mini UAV crashed south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, and the SMM lost all communication with its long-range UAV while it was flying over “DPR” controlled  areas.* The Mission observed several peaceful protests in Kyiv.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region than during the previous day. Positioned at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM observed two undetermined explosions (impacts), and heard 94 undetermined explosions, ten bursts (outgoing) and eight explosions (impacts) assessed as caused by automatic grenade launcher, as well as multiple bursts of heavy machine-gun and bursts and single shots of small arms fire 2-8km north, north-east, north-north-east and north-north-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 53 undetermined explosions and more than 200 bursts and single shots of small-arms fire 1-8km west, west-north-west, north-west, north-north-west, north, south-east and east-south-east of its position.

Positioned in and near government-controlled Marinka, the SMM heard four explosions (impacts) assessed as caused by anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade-launcher rounds, four explosions (impacts) of automatic-grenade-launcher rounds, four explosions (impacts) of 30mm automatic cannon, nine undetermined explosions, as well as 194 bursts and single shots of small arms fire 1-3km north-east of its locations.

Whilst in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard six undetermined explosions, 34 explosions assessed as caused by 82mm mortar rounds, and eight of mortar of unknown calibre, three explosions assessed as caused by automatic grenade launchers, four bursts and four penetrating rounds (impacts) from 23mm anti-aircraft automatic cannon, as well as ten bursts of heavy-machine-gun and 31 bursts and single shots of small-arms fire 2-8km south-east, south-south-east, south and south-south-west of its position.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. Whilst in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard, during the late evening hours, three bursts of small arms fire 2-3km south-east of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, the SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines, and noted as missing nine tanks (T-64) and three mortars (2B9M, 82mm), as has been reported for the first time on 11 February.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures. The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In violation of respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed in government-controlled areas: three anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) in Vodiane (42km south-west of Donetsk); five self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) in Tarasivka (41km north-west of Donetsk); 18 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm) in Zelene Pole (42km north-west of Donetsk).

The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification.      

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed 12 towed howitzers (six D-20, 152mm and six D-30, 122mm), 12 self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), and six mortars (2B11, 120mm). The SMM noted as missing five self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm; first observed missing on 3 March 2016), seven mortars (two 2B9 Vasilek, 82mm; first observed missing on 8 March, and five PM-38, 120mm; three first observed missing on 8 March, two on 30 April 2016).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and other hardware in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed one armoured personnel  carrier (APC; BRP-2) in Krymske (43km west of Luhansk); one armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) and one multi-purpose tracked vehicle (MT-LB) in Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk); one APC (BTR-80) at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk); and two armoured reconnaissance vehicles (BRDM) mounted with recoilless runs (SPG-9, 73mm) in vicinity of Popasna (69km west of Luhansk). In “LPR”-controlled areas, the SMM observed one APC (BTR-80) in Kalynove (58km west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) along the contact line and observed a tripwire on the west side of the road, 1.5km north of “LPR”-controlled Novooleksandrivka (54km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM met with the family of a civilian allegedly killed by a mine. The interlocutors said the victim (man, early forties) had been killed on 1 June between 16-17:00 by an UXO or a mine, when looking for a cow in an area close to an abandoned brick factory in “DPR”-controlled Petrovskyi district of Donetsk (15km south-west of Donetsk city centre).

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM monitored the inspection by a private company of a phenol factory slurry pipeline near Horlivka (“DPR”-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), water pipeline repair works near Maiorsk, (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk), and continued to monitor and facilitate the repair of gas pipelines in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to monitor the queues at entry-exit checkpoints at the contact line. At the border guard checkpoint at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM observed at 15:00hrs no queue to exit government-controlled areas, and 30-50 civilians queuing in the opposite direction. At 19:00hrs at the “LPR” checkpoint, the SMM observed 100 civilians waiting to cross the bridge and enter government-controlled areas, and none in the opposite direction.

At two Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoints on the H15 highway near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed in the morning a total of: 279 cars, 11 buses and 250 pedestrians queuing to travel west; and 73 cars and 60 pedestrians queuing to travel east. In the afternoon, at the same checkpoints, 149 cars, seven buses and 120 pedestrians were queuing to travel west, and 77 cars, one bus and 100 pedestrians were queuing to travel east.

At the government-controlled checkpoint in Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed around 70 civilian cars queuing to enter government-controlled areas in the morning. In the afternoon, the SMM observed approximately 150 vehicles queuing to enter government-controlled areas and 60 vehicles in the opposite direction.

The SMM monitored two border areas not controlled by the Government and was initially obstructed at one. At the Dovzhanski border crossing point (85km south-east of Luhansk)*, the SMM observed 27 cars (eight with Russian Federation, and 19 with Ukrainian licence plates, including three with “LPR” stickers), two passenger buses (with Ukrainian licence plates: Luhansk city-Rostov) exiting Ukraine. The SMM observed a combine harvester with no visible licence plates, and three semi-trucks (all with Ukrainian licence plates; two with pointed wooden logs (for fortifying a coal mine shaft, according to the drivers), and one covered commercial truck), and two passenger buses (with Russian Federation licence plates: Moscow-Horlivka) entering Ukraine. At the Novoborovytsi pedestrian border crossing point (80km south of Luhansk), the SMM observed one parked civilian car (with Ukrainian licence plates) and no pedestrians.

The SMM monitored several protests in Kyiv: in front of the Kyiv City Hall - demanding elections in the district councils within Kyiv city (200 participants); in front of the National Bank - against corruption (30 participants); and in front of the Parliament building - against renaming Kirovohrad to Yelyzavethrad (50 participants); warning of taking credit in USD (50 participants); for increased representation of Ukrainian musicians in media (50 participants). Police was present at all the events, which passed off peacefully.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• “DPR” members did not allow the SMM to pass their checkpoint on the eastern edge of Kozatske (“DPR”-controlled, 36km north-east of Mariupol), citing that the SMM vehicles were not on the OSCE vehicle list provided to them by their command in Novoazovsk (“DPR”-controlled, 40km east of Mariupol). The SMM informed the JCCC.
• “LPR” members at Dovzhanskyi border crossing point (85km south-east of Luhansk) told the SMM to leave the area immediately, when the SMM declined to hand over the SMM patrol plan. The SMM left the area, but returned three hours later, and was then not obstructed. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• Armed “DPR” members continue to keep the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected as they have been since 20 May. As a result, SMM remote monitoring equipment at “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine and in government-controlled Avdiivka are disabled (see SMM Daily Report 21 May 2016).

Delay:

• Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers at a heavy weapons holding area delayed the SMM for 30 minutes, before allowing them access to the weapons. The soldiers checked the SMM vehicle licence plates and monitors’ ID cards, and stated that they had received instructions to thoroughly check all SMM patrols due to “pseudo-SMM groups”. No further details were provided. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Other impediments:

• An SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) suffered signal errors, lost control and crashed 600m south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (11 km north-east of Luhansk). The reason for the malfunction remains unknown. The SMM did not recover the UAV due to security reasons (the area is potentially UXO contaminated).
• The SMM lost all communication with its long-range UAV while it was flying in the area between “DPR”-controlled Korsun (31km north-east of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Shevchenko (28km north-east of Donetsk (see SMM Spot Report 3 June 2016).

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. 

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BERLIN. Az iszlám Állam (IÁ) nevű terrorszervezet tíz harcosának kellett volna merényletet elkövetnie a németországi Düsseldorf belvárosában az ügy Franciaországban őrizetben lévő gyanúsítottjának vallomása alapján - jelentette pénteken a Der Spiegel című német hírmagazin.

La cérémonie de remise du Prix armées-jeunesse s’est déroulée mardi, dans l’amphithéâtre Foch, à l’Ecole militaire. Ce Prix Armées Jeunesse a été remis par le vice-amiral d’escadre Jean Casabianca, chef du cabinet militaire, représentant le ministre de la Défense, à la compagnie de gendarmerie de Compiègne, pour son projet "Tous unis pour la Cité, chantier : devoir de Mémoire, Défense et sécurité routière".

Le Prix spécial du Président, présenté par l’amiral Eric Chaplet, président de la Commission armées-jeunesse, a été remis par le capitaine Stéphane Colin, blessé de guerre et coureur des "20km solidaires des volontaires de l’EPIDe".

Le lauréat est la Délégation militaire départementale des Côtes d’Armor, pour sa mise en place de classes de défense et de sécurité globale dans un département à faible implantation militaire.

Wednesday 8 June 2016
11.30 Meeting with President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili (photo opportunity - press statement ±12.00) - 6-month badge/special accreditation will be required to access the Justus Lipsius VIP entrance

19.00 Working dinner with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

Friday 10 June 2016
15.30 Meeting with Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the steering committee of the liberal party in Denmark

VIENNA, 3 June 2016 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier presented today the OSCE Handbook on Combating Corruption, which outlines an array of measures for preventing and combating corruption related to economic, legal and human rights issues.

“Corruption threatens security and stability by undermining the rule of law, eroding democratic institutions and blocking social and economic development,” said Zannier. “This new handbook will help national policy-makers and anti-corruption practitioners to be better equipped to prevent and combat this crime against the public good.”

The OSCE Handbook provides an overview of standards and instruments promoted by major international players in the anti-corruption field. Key topics covered include: the role of the judiciary, political party funding, regulating lobbying, protecting human rights in anti-corruption investigations, and building integrity in the public sector and anti-corruption initiatives in the private sector.

Zannier stressed the importance of instituting fair and transparent processes for public procurement, a sector particularly vulnerable to corruption. “Corruption in public procurement often results in shoddy public works and erodes trust in government among citizens and businesses alike. The most effective way to prevent abuse of public procurement is to introduce fair and transparent procedures with strong oversight and corruption prevention mechanisms,” said Zannier.   

Candice Welsch from the UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch said: “The Handbook addresses a number of important areas in the prevention of corruption that will be a useful tool for States parties as they prepare for the second cycle of the Implementation Review Mechanism to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.”

The handbook is designed to raise awareness of the range of international instruments available to fight corruption, and to serve as a resource for developing and implementing effective anti-corruption policies and measures that can help reduce instability and transnational crime.

The handbook was produced by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Commission on International Trade Law, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Council of Europe/Group of States against Corruption and other partners.

 

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244471 Mia Lausevic

Secretaries General and Deputy Secretaries General of Western Balkans parliaments, heads of human resources and information and communications technology departments, legal advisors and representatives of OSCE Missions in the region took part in a meeting on strategic and annual planning in parliaments in Podgorica, Montenegro on 1 and 2 June 2016.

The aim of the event, hosted by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Montenegrin Parliament, was to discuss current developments and exchange best practices and lessons learned in regard to planning in parliaments.  

Dan Redford, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, stressed the importance of developing the institutional capacity of parliaments to make them strong and self-reliant.

Suljo Mustafic, Secretary General of the Parliament of Montenegro, thanked the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for its support and co-operation in publishing the Parliamentary Lexicon - a collection of terms used in parliamentary life - which was presented at the meeting. Mustafic underlined the importance of transparency in the decision-making process and the benefits of planned development of parliamentary institutions regardless of the constant changes that parliaments underlie. 

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• OSCE Mission to Montenegro marks World Press Freedom Day: Public Service Broadcaster hosts televised debate on media freedoms