Legislatures and Citizens -...

Legislatures and Citizens Final Regional Conference

1-4 April 2004, Budapest, Hungary

Venue Hilton Budapest Westend, Budapest, Hungary, Tel +36 (1) 288 5500, Fax +36 (1)

288 5588

Participants Representatives of EU Parliaments and Southeastern European Parliaments; representatives of civil society organisations from Southeastern European countries; experts from European Union countries; representatives of inter-

governmental agencies; members of the Steering Committee and staff of the East-West Parliamentary Practice Project.

Legislatures and Citizens is a joint initiative of the EWPPP and the representatives of the Parliaments and civil societies in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. This programme is financed by

the European Union and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.



Thursday, 1 April 2004 Arrival of foreign guests in Budapest 19:00 Dinner reception at the Hungarian MPs Club, Szalay utca 4, Budapest Friday, 2 April 2004 Conference Hall M Floor, Hilton Hotel 09:00 Departure of participants from Hotel Hilton 09:20 Arrival at the Hungarian Parliament, Gate no. XVII 09:30 – 10:15 The functioning of the Hungarian National Assembly and

the experience with the European Parliament by Mr. Szabolcs Fazakas, MP, Chairman of the Hungarian IPU Group; Observer to the European Parliament

10:15 – 11:00 Guided tour of the Parliament (in two groups) 11:00 – 11:20 Transfer by bus to hotel 11:30 – 12:00 Registration of participants 12:00 – 12:15 Opening of the conference by Albert Koenders, MP,

Chairman of the EWPPP Steering Committee 12:15-13:00 Theme: Parliamentary cooperation with civil society: common

gaps in resources and know-how throughout the region Chair: Albert Koenders, MP, The Netherlands

The first part of the conference will address specific gaps in resources and know-how that the project participants have identified in the process, including common approaches to common problems in the region The Parliamentary Perspective Presentations by representatives of Southeast European

parliaments (five minutes): ! Albania ! Bosnia and Herzegovina



! Bulgaria ! Croatia ! FYR of Macedonia ! Kosovo ! Montenegro ! Romania ! Serbia

13:00-14:30 Lunch in the hotel restaurant 14:30- 15:10 The NGO Perspective

Chair: Lord Roper, UK

Presentations by representatives of partner NGOs (five minutes): ! European Movement in Serbia (Serbia) ! Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation (Bulgaria) ! OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMIK) ! Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (Croatia) ! Centres for Civic Initiatives (Bosnia and Herzegovina) ! Centre for Strategic Research and Documentation (FYR of

Macedonia) ! Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (Montenegro) ! Asociatia Pro Democratia (Romania) ! Albanian Centre for Human Rights (Albania)

15:10 – 16:00 General discussion 16:00-16:20 Coffee break 16:20- 18:00 Regional minimum standards of conduct between Parliaments

and civil society Chair: Jan Dirk Blaauw, The Netherlands

Panel discussion: Makbule Ceco, MP, Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Ivo Hristov, Chief Expert, Committee on Legal Affairs, Bulgarian

National Assembly Stevan Lilic, Democratic Centre, Professor of Law, Serbia Miodrag Vlahovic, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights,

Montenegro 19:30 Meet in hotel lobby for transfer to restaurant Udvarhaz

Address: Harmashatarhegyi ut 2, 1037 Budapest; Tel: (36) 1 388 8780; Fax: (36) 1 367 5962



Saturday, 3 April 2004 Conference Hall M Floor, Hilton Hotel 09:30 – 11:30 Theme: Regional Cooperation and EU Integration: EU

models of coordination and cooperation Chair: Lord Roper Panel discussion:

Zekeriya Akcam, Member of Parliament, Turkey Professor Gabriel Fragniere, Former Rector of the College of

Europe, Brugge, Belgium Otto Vos, fmr. Member of Parliament, The Netherlands 11:30 – 11:50 Coffee break 11:50-13:00 Recommendations and follow-up: Discussion of

recommendations from regional working group meeting Chair: Jill Adler, EWPPP Director

During the Legislatures and Citizens regional working meeting, held in Tirana, Albania, from 5-7 September, ideas for a follow-up to the L&C programme after its completion in 2004 were discussed. A summary of the recommendations, as noted below, will form the basis for a general discussion during this concluding session.

Summary of Recommendations for L&C Follow-up: ! To establish institutional cooperation/code of conduct

between parliament and citizens at the regional level by recommending minimum procedures and standards for cooperation;

! To set up a Legislatures and Citizens standing regional conference on cooperation between parliament and NGOs:

! To establish standards of good legislative practice at the domestic and regional level;

! To develop concrete projects aimed at connecting MPs with citizens, constituents through educating citizens about the legislative process, referenda, civil society monitoring of the implementation of legislation, and promoting citizen participation in the decision making process.

13:00 – 13:30 Concluding remarks by Lord Roper 13:30-15:00 Lunch in hotel restaurant



15:30 Cultural tour of Budapest (Three buses will depart from the Hilton Hotel) 18:00 Return to hotel 19:15 Departure by bus from the Hilton Hotel for Restaurant Borkatakomba Address: Nagytetenyi ut 64, 1222 Budapest Tel: (36) 1 424 7955; Fax: (36) 1 226 7371 Sunday, 4 April 2004 Departure of participants (please refer to the pick-up schedule for your pick-up time)



LIST OF PARTICIPANTS " Albania ! Makbule Ceco, MP, Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Socialist

Party ! Gaqo Apostoli, MP, Social Democratic Party ! Ridvan Bode, MP, Secretary General of the Democratic Party ! Vangjel Dule, MP, Chairman of the Human Rights Party ! Jemin Gjana, MP, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Group,

Democratic Party ! Rasim Gjoka, Director, Foundation for the Preventions of Conflicts ! Kozara Kati, Executive Director, Albanian Centre for Human Rights

(ACHR) ! Vjollca Mece, Director, Advocacy Centre for Women ! Fatmir Mediu, MP, Chairman of the Committee for the Stability Pact and

European Integration, Chairman of the Republican Party ! Edi Paloka, MP, Spokesman for the Democratic Party ! Musa Ulqini, MP, Chairman of the Committee for the Media, Socialist

Party " Bosnia and Herzegovina

! Dr. Nikola Spiric, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina

! Dr. Dragan Kalinic, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska

! Remzija Kadric, President of the Council of Peoples of the Republic of Srpska, National Assembly of RS

! Slavko Matic, Speaker of the House of Peoples, Parliament of Federation BiH

! Anto Baotic, Secretary of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Federation BiH

! Sevket Hafizovic, Deputy President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska

! Ismet Briga, MP, Parliament of the Federation BiH ! Ivica Cavar, Project Coordinator, Centres for Civic Initiatives (CCI) ! Mirsad Ceman, MP, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Assembly

of BiH ! Lejla Deronja, Project Assistant, Centres for Civic Initiatives (CCI) ! Dr. Sead Dizdarevic, Secretary of Constitutional Commission, Parliament

of the Federation BiH ! Cedo Dukic, Legal Advisor to the Speaker of the National Assembly of

the Republic of Srpska ! Izmir Hadziavdic, Secretary in House of Peoples, Parliament of the

Federation of BiH ! Zlatan Ohranovic, Executive Director, Centres for Civic Initiatives (CCI) ! Martin Raguz, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Parliamentary Assembly BiH



! Fadil Sero, Executive Director, Civil Society Promotion (CPCD) ! Bosko Siljegovic, MP, House of Peoples, Parliamentary Assembly of BiH ! Nevenka Trifkovic, MP, National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska

" Bulgaria ! Vesselin Cherkezov, MP, United Democratic Forces ! Marina Dikova, MP, National Movement Simeon II ! Tatyana Doncheva, MP, Bulgarian Socialist Party ! Ivo Hristov, Chief Expert, Committee on Legal Affairs, National Assembly ! Tatyana Kalkanova, MP, National Movement Simeon II ! Lenko Lenkov, Executive Director, Free and Democratic Bulgaria

Foundation ! Mihail Mikov, MP, Bulgarian Socialist Party ! Luben Panov, Director, Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Sofia ! Gergana Zhuleva, Chairperson, Access to Information Programme,

Sofia ! Mustafa Zinal, MP, Movement for Rights and Freedoms

" Croatia

! Miljenko Doric, MP, Croatian National Party ! Ankica Gorkic, Serbian Democratic Forum ! Zdenko Haramija, MP, Croatian Peasant Party ! Marija Lugaric, MP, Social Democrat Party ! Bojan Munjin, Vice Director for Civil Society, Croatian Helsinki

Committee for Human Rights ! Dubravka Miskovic-Prodanovic, Civilian Committee for Human Rights ! Ivanka Roksandic, Croatian Democratic Union ! Ivana Sucec-Trakostanec, Croatian Democratic Union ! Pejo Trgovcevic, MP, Croatian Party of Rights

" Macedonia

! Ivan Anastasovski, MP, Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia ! Dragan Antonovski, PR Consultant, MOST ! Blagoja Gesovski, MP, Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia ! Hulija Hilmi, Project Manager, FORUM CSRD ! Ismet Ramadani, MP, Democratic Prosperity ! Zoran Sapuric, MP, Liberal Democratic Party ! Zivko Temelkovski, Legal Expert, Transparency International -

Macedonia ! Talat Xhaferi, MP, Democratic Union for Integration ! Zoran Zaev, MP, Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia ! Andrej Zernovski, MP, Liberal Democratic Party

" Kosovo

! Nexhat Daci, Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo ! Ahmet Alishani, Advisor to the Speaker, Assembly of Kosovo ! Arsim Bajrami, MP, Head of the Parliamentary Group, Democratic Party

of Kosovo



! Bujar Dugolli, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group- Alliance for the Future of Kosovo

! Professor Alush Gashi, MP, Democratic League of Kosovo ! Sabri Hamiti, MP, Chairmen of the Parliamentary Group- Democratic

League of Kosovo ! Zylfije Hundozi, MP, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo ! Hydajet Hyseni, MP, Democratic Party of Kosovo ! Zoja Osmani, Personal Assisant of the Speaker, Assembly of Kosovo ! Ramush Tahiri, Political Advisor to the Speaker, Assembly of Kosovo

" Montenegro

! Dragan Kujovic, Vice-Speaker Montenegrin Parliament, Democratic Party of Socialists

! Dorel Bahrin, MP, Social Democratic Party ! Borislav Banovic, MP, Social Democratic Party ! Marko Canovic, Centre for Democratic Transition (CDT) ! Goran Danilovic, MP, Serbian People’s Party ! Ferhat Dinosha, MP, Democratic Union of Albanians ! Dragan Koprivica, MP, Socialist People’s Party ! Nenad Koprivica, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM) ! Miodrag Vlahovic, Coordinator, Centre for Democracy and Human

Rights (CEDEM) ! Zlatko Vujovic, Center for Monitoring Elections ! Miodrag Vukovic, MP, Democratic Party of Socialists

" Romania

! Radu F. Alexandru, MP, National Liberal Party ! Dorel Bahrin, MP, Social Democratic Party ! Oana Calenciuc, Civil Society Development Foundation ! Radu Ghidau, former Member of Parliament ! Mihaela Mandrea Muraru, MP, Social Democratic Party ! Costel Popa, Deputy Director, Asociatia Pro Democratia ! Virgil Popescu, MP, Social Democratic Party ! Sogor Csaba, MP, Parliament of Romania ! Andreea Sorescu, Program Coordinator, Asociatia Pro Democratia ! Codru Vrabie, Transparency International Romania

" Serbia

! Dragana Aleksandric, Account Manager, European Movement of Serbia (EMINS)

! Suzana Mrgic Grubjesic, Member of Parliament, G17+ ! Zeljko Ivanji, MP, G17+ ! Milos Jevtic, MP, Democratic Party ! Dragan Lakicevic, Project Manager, European Movement of Serbia

(EMINS)



! Stevan Lilic, Democratic Centre, fmr. Member of Parliament, Professor of Law

! Ksenija Milivojevic, MP, G17+ ! Danijel Pantic, Secretary General, European Movement in Serbia ! Dusan Prorokovic, MP, Demorcatic Party of Serbia ! Vlajko Senic, Deputy Minister of Trade, Serbian Renewal Movement

" Representatives of EU and other European countries

! Zekeriya Akcam, Member of Parliament, Turkey ! Ambassador Jean-Daniel Biéler, Director of Working Table 1, Stability

Pact ! Jan Dirk Blaauw, fmr. Member of Parliament (1976-2002), The

Netherlands ! Petra Bläss, Former Vice-President of the German Parliament, Senior

Consultant to the Stability Pact on Parliamentary Cooperation ! Professor Gabriel Fragniere, Former Rector of the College of Europe,

Brugge, Belgium ! Lord John Roper, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, House of Lords, United

Kingdom ! Gerrit Valk, fmr. Member of Parliament (1990-2002), The Netherlands ! Otto Vos, fmr. Member of Parliament (1994-2002), The Netherlands ! Franklin De Vrieze, Political Affairs Officer, Assembly Support Initiative

(OSCE Mission in Kosovo) " Ambassadors from participating countries

! H.E. Mr. Eduard Sulo, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Hungary

! H.E. Mrs. Mirsa Muharemagic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Hungary

! H.E. Mr. Dimo Gjaurov, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Hungary ! H.E. Dr. Stanko Nick, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Hungary ! H.E. Mr. Saso Veljanovski, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to

Hungary ! H.E. Mr. F.P.R. van Nouhuys, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the

Netherlands to Hungary ! H.E. Mr. Calin Fabian, Ambassador of the Republic of Romania to

Hungary ! H.E. Mr. Dejan Janca, Ambassador of the Serbia and Montenegro to

Hungary " East-West Parliamentary Practice Project

Steering Committee

! Albert Koenders, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the EWPPP Steering Committee, The Netherlands

! Jozsef Szajer, Member of Parliament, Hungary



! Jozefina Topalli, MP, Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Democratic Party

Headquarters ! Jill Adler, Director ! Aurela Isufi, Head of Programmes ! Elena Subbotina, Programme Officer ! Renée Vassilos, Programme Officer

" Translators/interpreters ! Ilir Baci, Albanian language ! Pranvera Xhelo, Albanian language ! Ileana Cosic, Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian language ! Mirjana Srdanov, Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian language ! Filipina Filipova, Bulgarian language ! Mariana Stoycheva, Bulgarian language ! Natasha Kolekevska, Macedonian language ! Ivan Kolekevski , Macedonian language ! Maria Kardalos, Romanian Language ! Iulia Manolache, Romanian Language

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Legislatures and Citizens Activities 2001-2004: 1. Preparatory visit to Croatia, 2-5 June 2001 2. Preparatory visit to Serbia, 16-17 July 2001 3. Preparatory meeting with Macedonian local NGO partner, 11 August 2001 4. Preparatory visit to Albania, 9-13 September 2001 5. Preparatory visit to Bulgaria, 19 September 2001 6. Preparatory visit to Romania, 25-27 September 2001 7. Launching Meeting, 17-18 November 2001 8. Feedback Meeting, Tirana, Albania, 22 February 2002 9. Feedback Meeting, Podgorica, Montenegro, 1 March 2002 10. Feedback Meeting, Sarejevo and Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 9-10 May 2002 11. In-country Meeting, Pristina, Kosovo, 15-16 May 2002 12. Preparatory Meeting, Skopje, Macedonia, 27-28 May 2002 13. Feedback Meeting, Zagreb, Croatia, 11 June 2002 14. Feedback Meeting, Bucharest, Romania, 12 June 2002 15. Feedback Meeting, Sofia, Bulgaria, 20 July 2002 16. Follow-up Visit, Skopje, Macedonia, 6 September 2002 17. Follow-up Feedback Meeting, Pristina, Kosovo, 2-5 October 2002 18. Round Table Debate, Zagreb, Croatia, 10 October 2002 19. Round Table Debate, Tirana, Albania 25 October 2002 20. Feedback meeting, Skopje, Macedonia, 30 October 2002 21. Round Table Debate, Bucharest, Romania, 1 November 2002 22. Round Table Debate, Varna, Bulgaria, 9 November 2002 23. Round Table Debate, Podgorica, Montenegro, 13 November 2002 24. Round Table Debate, Belgrade, Serbia, 15 November 2002 25. Round Table Debate, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 26 November 2002 26. Round Table Debate, Skopje, Macedonia, 29 November 2002 27. Mid-Term Regional Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria, 6-7 December 2002 28. Roundtable Debate “Discussion of the new Labour Bill”, 24 January 2003, Zagreb, Croatia 29. Roundtable Debate “The new draft laws on indemnities for the damage caused by terrorist

actions”, 17 February 2003, Zagreb, Croatia 30. Roundtable Debate “Law about national minorities’ rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, 14 April

2004, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 31. Public Forum “The legislative reform of the electoral system in Romania”, 29 May 2003,

Bucharest, Romania 32. Regional Exchange Visit of Serbian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Albania, 5-9

June 2003 33. Regional Exchange Visit of Bosnian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Croatia, 16-19

June 2003 34. Public Forum “Towards greater tolerance: Reform of the Croatian education system”, 17 June

2003, Zagreb, Croatia 35. Regional Exchange Visit of Bulgarian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Montenegro,

21-24 June 2003 36. Regional Exchange Visit of Albanian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Serbia, 2-6

July 2003 37. Preparatory trip for the Regional Roundtable Debate, 8-10 August 2003, Tirana, Albania 38. Regional Roundtable Debate “Follow-up and continuation”, 5-7 September 2003, Tirana, Albania 39. Regional Exchange Visit of Croatian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Bosnia and

Herzegovina, 16-19 September 2003 40. Public Forum “The law on the protection of national minorities’ rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina”,

17 September 2003, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 41. Joint Visit to the National Assembly of Republic of Srpska, 19-21 September 2003, Banja Luka,

Republic of Srpska 42. Public Forum “Financing of political parties and electoral campaigns”, 23-25 September 2003,

Bucharest, Romania

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43. Public Forum “Commentary on the Draft Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance”, 22-24 October 2003, Belgrade, Serbia

44. Regional Exchange Visit of Macedonian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Romania, 30 November-4 December 2003

45. Regional Exchange Visit of Montenegrin Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Bulgaria, 1-4 December 2003

46. Feedback Meeting, Podgorica, Montenegro, 6-8 February 2004 47. Public Forum Sofia, Bulgaria, 23-25 February 2004 48. Regional Exchange Visit of Romanian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Macedonia,

25-29 February 2004 49. Publications, evaluations and progress reports 50. Opening of the L&C Regional Office in Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 May 2001 51. L&C website and internet reports

1. The preparatory visit to Croatia was carried out on 2-5 June 2001. The EWPPP was represented by Jill Adler, Director, Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, Project Manager, Radu Ghidau, Steering Committee Member, Aurela Isufi, Project Manager and Sonia Kanikova, consultant. The objective of the visit was to introduce the programme to the Parliament of Croatia, discuss programme implementation and division of tasks with both the Parliament and local NGO partner, set up the Croatian Consultative Committee and schedule a timeline of activities for Croatia. During the visit, meetings were held with Mato Arlovic, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament; Snjezana Biga-Friganovic, MP, Chairman, Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health Care; Darinka Orel, MP, vice-Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health Care; Vesna Pusic, MP, President of the Croatian People�s Party; Marija Lugaric, Member of Parliament; Tin Gazivoda, Executive Director, Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights; Gvozden Flego, Member of the Executive Board, Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights; and Bojan Munjin, Assistant Director, Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. The Croatian Consultative Committee, a cross-party advisory body that will determine the focus and the content of the in-country activities and will advise on the selection of the national and international participants, was established, including Snjezana Biga Friganovic (SDP); Zrinka Glovacki Bernardi (CSLP); Marija Lugaric (SDP); Luca Roic (CPP); and Pavle Kalinic (SDP). As regards the legislative feedback phase of the programme, the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, in cooperation with a number of other NGOs that will be involved in our programme, started preparatory work on the following pieces of legislation: Law on political parties; Constitutional appeal to the Croatian State Agreement with the Vatican; Law on the responsibility for damages resulting from terrorist acts; Amendments to the law on social welfare; Amendments to the criminal law regarding offences related to hatred, racial, cultural, political or gender discrimination; Drafting of the law on the accessibility of information; Amendments to a number of healthcare laws; and Law on the legal consequences for unjustified cancellations of tenancy 1991-2001 2. The first preparatory visit to Serbia took place on 16 and 17 July 2001. The EWPPP was represented by Project Manager Joeri Buhrer Tavanier and Sonia Kanikova, consultant. The objective of the visit was to introduce the programme to the Parliament of Serbia, to discuss programme implementation and division of tasks with both the Parliament and local NGO partner, discuss ways to involve the Federal Parliament, set up the Serbian Consultative Committee and schedule a timeline of activities for Serbia. Meetings were held with: Sasha Pasić, Vice President of the Parliament of Vojvodina, Chairman of the Vojvodina branch of DOS (Democratic Opposition of Serbia, now the ruling party); Stevan Lilić, MP, Democratic Centre; Djorde Mamula, MP, Democratic Party of Serbia; Nata�a Milojević, MP, Democratic Opposition. Together with a team of experts we have been working on the draft of the Freedom of Information Act. Meetings take place on a weekly basis. 3. A preparatory meeting with the Macedonian NGO partner, Forum, was held in Sofia on 11 August. The objective of the meeting was to discuss programme implementation and division of tasks with the local

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NGO partner, the make-up of the Macedonian Consultative Committee and to schedule a timeline of activities for Macedonia. The Macedonian Consultative Committee has been set up and includes the following members: Stojan Andov, President of the Parliament; Petar Goshev, MP, Liberal Democratic Party; Nikola Popovski, MP, Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia; Danilo Gligorovski, MP, VMRO � DPMNE; and Mersel Bilali, MP, Party for Democratic Prosperity. The MCC and EWPPP�s local partner Forum have identified the piece of draft legislation to be discussed within the framework of Legislatures and Citizens: �Legal regulation of the coverage of electoral campaigns in the electronic and printed media�. This (draft) law will be very important during the forthcoming elections, scheduled for this summer. Forum and MCC intend to prepare a draft bill. Experts who will take part in the programme will include: Zoran Bojarovski, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Forum Magazine; Borjan Jovanovski, Editor, TV Alfa; Andriana Skerlev - Cakar, Head of the Law Department at the Macedonian Broadcasting Council; and Snezana Trpevska, Head of the Programme Department at the Macedonian Broadcasting Council. 4. The preparatory visit to Albania took place on 9-13 September 2001. The visit was carried out by Jill Adler, Director, Aurela Isufi, Project Manager, and Gerrit Valk, MP, Project advisor. The objective of the visit was to introduce the programme to the Parliament of Albania, discuss programme implementation and division of tasks with both the Parliament and local NGO partner, set up the Albanian Consultative Committee and schedule a timeline of activities for Albania. Meetings were held with: Arta Dade, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania; Namik Dokle, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament; Nard Ndoka, MP, Reformed Democratic Party, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group; Sabri Godo, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republican Party; Mimoza Arbi, Secretary General of the Albanian Parliament; Arben Malaj, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of PS; Fatmir Xhafa, MP, Socialist Party; Ridvan Bode, General Secretary of the Democratic Party; Jemin Gjana, Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party; Maksim Begeja, Deputy Chairman of the Republican Party; Kozara Kati, Executive Director, Albanian Centre for Human Rights; and Niazi Jaho, Bord Member, Albanian Centre for Human Rights. The Albanian Consultative Committee, a cross-party advisory body that will determine the focus and the content of the in-country activities and will advise on the selection of the national and international participants, was established, including: Arben Malaj, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group, Socialist Party; Musa Ulqini, Chairman of the Committee for the Media, Socialist Party; Kastriot Islami, Secretary of the Committee for Foreign Policy and International Relations, Socialist Party; Fatos Beja, MP, Secretary for Elections and Human Resources, Democratic Party; Lublin Dilja, MP, Democratic Party; Jozefina Topalli, MP, Deputy Chair of the Democratic Party; Ridvan Bode, MP, Secretary General of the Democratic Party; Engjell Bejtja, MP, Social-Democratic Party; and Fatmir Mediu, MP, Chairman of the Republican Party. As regards the legislative feedback phase of the programme, the Albanian Centre for Human Rights suggested working on the draft law on ad hoc investigative parliamentary committees. 5. The first preparatory meeting in Bulgaria took place on 19 September 2001. The objective of the meeting was to introduce the programme to the Parliament of Bulgaria, discuss programme implementation and division of tasks with both the Parliament and local NGO partner, set up the Bulgarian Consultative Committee and schedule a timeline of activities for Bulgaria. EWPPP, represented by Project Manager Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, held meetings with: Ivo Christov, expert, Committee on Legal Affairs; Ivan Ivanov, MP, United Democratic Forces, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Transport and Telecommunications and Member of the Committee on Education and Science; Lenko Lenkov, Executive Director of Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation; Mikhail Mikov, MP, Coalition for Bulgaria, Member of the Committee on Economic Policy and of the Committee on Legal Affairs; Remzi Osman, MP, Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Chairman of the Committee on Local Self-Government and Member of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Chair of the LCC; Dimitri Panitza, Chairman of Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation; and Irena Varadinova, MP, National Movement Simeon II, Member of the Committee on Civil Society Issues.

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This group of MPs formed the Bulgarian Consultative Committee. The main topics on the agenda were: the selection of a piece of draft legislation (and the respective parliamentary committee). We should bear in mind the legislative priorities of the majority in the 39th National Assembly and of the Council of Ministers; the chosen draft legislation should be new and should be of significant public interest and should have a direct connection with the current harmonization with EU legislation; and the logistical details related to the upcoming launching meeting of the project, which was planned to be organized in Istanbul on 6 October 2001. In November, the BCC decided to work on a new draft bill regarding the Black Sea Coast region. An Expert Team within the Committee for local self-government and public works was established to debate the piece before its first reading. A list of NGOs and experts to be involved in the discussions was presented, as well as the conditions for organising a media campaign. LCC members identified NGOs with relevant expertise and held talks with two NGO networks. The FDBF in the meantime established contacts with the newly established Information Centre of the Parliament. A representative of the centre is present at all LCC committee meetings. EWPPP and FDBF had several meetings with the media to introduce the project to a larger public. Meetings were held with the weeklies �Kesh� and �Tema� and with the dailies �Dnevnik� and �Sega�. �Tema� and �Dnevnik� have promised us space in their publications. 6. The first preparatory visit to Romania took place on 25 September. The EWPPP was represented by its Steering Committee member Mr Radu Ghidau, and by Project Manager Joeri Buhrer Tavanier. The objective of the visit was to introduce the programme to the Parliament of Romania, discuss programme implementation and division of tasks with both the Parliament and local NGO partner, set up the Romanian Consultative Committee and schedule a timeline of activities for Romania. Meetings were held with: Emil Boc, MP (Chamber of Deputies), Democratic Party; Radu Feldman Alexandru, MP (Senate), National Liberal Party; Zsolt Szilagyi, MP (Chamber of Deputies), Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania; Cristian Ionescu, General Secretary of the Chamber of Deputies; Adrian Sorescu, Executive Director, Pro Democracy Association (PDA); Eugenia Rotaru, APD Coordinator for Relations with the Parliament, and Local Project Manager, PDA; and Răzvan Ionescu, (MP. Social Democrat Party, Chairman of the Committee for Defense, Public Order and National Security; The draft laws selected for Legislatures and Citizens are: The legislative proposal regarding lobbying activities in Romania and the electoral law. EWPPP, APD and the RCC decided to work in close cooperation with the Foundation for Civil Society Development, which is developing a similar project The Parliament and civil society. EWPPP has worked with representatives of this foundation during its programme for the Romanian Parliament, 1999-2000. 7. A planning/launching meeting with representatives of eight participating parliaments and NGO partner organizations was held on 17-18 November 2001, in Vienna. The purpose of the planning meeting was to share experiences and outline specific country strategies for programme implementation. The meeting focused on the following topics: (See Annex 1 for an agenda, list of participants and highlights of the launching meeting)

! Cooperation between civil society and parliaments in the legislative process o The NGO perspective (with an emphasis on the extent to civil society can influence draft

legislation at various stages) o The parliamentary perspective

! Strategies for project implementation o In-country activities for legislative feedback o Regional cooperation o International conferences

! Follow-up and planning

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Participants at the launching meeting included: 26 Members of Parliament; 18 civil society representatives; 8 international advisors; and 5 staff members. Outcome: an exchange of views concerning future strategies yielded various ideas about the specific areas of legislation to be targeted for NGO involvement � e.g. laws on elections, (the funding of) political parties, parliamentary rules of procedure, and lobbying. Laws on lobbying could formally allow (certain) NGOs to lobby in parliament in the field of their expertise. 8. Tirana Feedback Meeting, 22 February 2002 The first feedback meeting in Tirana took place on 22 February 2002. Participants in this meeting included Arben Malaj, Socialist Party; Fatos Beja, Democratic Party; Lublin Dilja, Democratic Party; Jozefina Topalli, Democratic Party; Ridvan Bode, Democratic Party; Engjell Bejtja, Social-Democratic Party; Qasim Tepshi, Democrat Party; Fatmir Mediu, Republican Party; Kozara Kati, ACHR Director; Niazi Jaho, ACHR Board Member; Erinda Bllaca, ACHR Lawyer; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director and Aurela Isufi, Project Manager. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss constructive Parliament-civil society relations, the needs of the parliamentary committees for cooperation with civil society, proposed legislation that could be used for the purpose of this programme as well as the in-country schedule of activities for the Legislative Feedback phase. The meeting started with a short presentation by Kozara Kati on the activities of the ACHR, its involvement in the Legislatures and Citizens programme and the work already commenced on the draft law on the set up of ad hoc investigative parliamentary committees, which was introduced to the Committee on Legislation by one individual MP. Mr Malaj began by expressing support for the NGO involvement in the discussion of the ad hoc parliamentary committee law and further added that NGO expertise might also be useful in drafting the law on private property. He also emphasised that the aim of this programme is to increase cooperation between Parliament and civil society and provide MPs with an important regional network. Mr Beja suggested that it is vital that we bring other NGOs into the process of legislative feedback in areas on which they have become experts. Mr Bode acknowledged that Parliament � civil society relations are very important and can be utilised in various ways. He added that for the purpose of this programme, we should give priority to the NGOs that recognise the most fundamental rights of citizens; the right to vote being one of them. Given that, in the framework of the EWPPP programmes, we have already discussed the shortcomings of the latest parliamentary elections in Albania and the set-up of the bi-partisan commission to identify political remedies and commence discussions on the review of the Electoral Code, we should first set priorities in the fields in which we want to cooperate with civil society and identify other NGOs that might help us in the process. Mr Mediu agreed that the ACC should set priorities for common areas of cooperation with civil society representatives. Mr Dilja added that some of the issues we might focus on could include corruption and the review of the electoral law. Ms Topalli noted that draft laws should be sent to interested NGOs for comment on a regular basis and that previous cases of cooperation between Parliament and NGOs should be considered as case studies. She further suggested inquiring into the possibility of opening an office for cooperation with NGOs for the purposes of this project in the Albanian Parliament. At the end, participants decided to continue the initiative taken by the ACHR to work on the draft law on the ad hoc investigative parliamentary committees in cooperation with the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation, Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and the Parliamentary Committee on Public Order; to identify other NGOs to be included in the first phase of the programme on legislative feedback and eventually start working on either one of the following: reviewing the Electoral Code drafting the Private Property Law or the set up of the parliamentary bipartisan commission. 9. Podgorica Feedback Meeting, 1 March 2002 The EWPPP in cooperation with the CEDEM organised a feedback meeting on 1 March 2002, in Podgorica, Montenegro. Participants at the meeting included Igor Luksic, Democratic Party of Socialists; Ranko Krivokapic, Chairman, Social Democratic Party; Dragan Koprivica, Socialist Peoples Party; Ferhat Dinosha, Democratic Union of Albanians; Srdjan Darmanovic, CEDEM Director; Miodrag Vlahovic, L&C Project Manager; Snjezana Bojovic, L&C Project Assistant; Stevo Muk, Director, Centre for

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NGO Development (CRNVO); Nebojsa Medojevic, Director, Centre for Transition (CT); Jill Adler, EWPPP Director and Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Project Manager. Topics discussed included constructive Parliament�civil society relations, the needs of the parliamentary committees for cooperation with civil society, proposed legislation that can be used for the purpose of this programme and the in-country schedule of activities for the Legislative Feedback phase. Upon introduction, Mr Vlahovic noted that the issue of statehood is overshadowing the rest of the issues in the country, adding that in this context, pre-timely elections might also be an option. As regards L&C, he noted that the Montenegrin Consultative Committee had already convened a meeting on L&C implementation during which they proposed that all materials (draft laws, parliamentary session agendas, etc) be delivered to CEDEM, which will distribute them to other interested NGOs and, if needed, provide legislative feedback and that NGOs - civil society representatives � be given access to the meetings of all parliamentary committees, especially to the Committee on Legislation, among others. Mr Vlahovic further explained that the purpose of the EWPPP delegation meeting with the Deputy Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, Mr Dragan Kujovic, was to officially confirm the above. Mr Luksic confirmed that NGO access to parliamentary committee meetings and sessions will be on the agenda of the March session, which is a very important development for increasing NGO presence in Parliament. Mr Krivokapic noted that introducing a draft law to the Committee on Legislation is not difficult, as any single MP could do it. The problem is that political parties are suspicious of the other side and thus MPs tend to vote alongside political affiliations. It is unfortunate that NGOs in Montenegro lack Western support, which is crucial in determining their influence and the outcome of their work. He further added that L&C could help a lot in this direction, by providing the opportunity for local NGOs to be associated with the Stability Pact and the EWPPP. Mr Medojevic stated that the L&C programme commenced at the right moment and provides the best way to check the real capacity of local NGOs. The CT has already prepared the draft law on anticorruption and has sent it to the Committee on Legislation. Mr Muk started by presenting some of the activities undertaken by the CRNVO, such as the document Principles and priorities for cooperation between the state and the NGOs, which was sent to both the government and the political parties. Unfortunately, the document did not make it to the Parliament. He further added that some of the major obstacles to the establishment of a democratic parliamentary practice include the lack of transparency in the law-making process (draft laws are not made available) as well as the fact that there are no budget hearings held in Parliament. The EWPPP and CEDEM representatives met with the Deputy Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, Mr Dragan Kujovic. After welcoming the guests to the Montenegrin Parliament, Mr Kujovic expressed his gratitude for the possibility of discussing and working on the legislative activity of the Parliament. He further noted that the Montenegrin Parliament is not yet working on its most important task, i.e. the law-making process. Politics seem to receive the full attention. In view of the law standardisation of Montenegro with the EU countries, this programme gains more importance. Furthermore, Mr Kujovic confirmed that the Montenegrin Parliament is now ready to provide access to reliable NGOs to attend the parliamentary committee meetings.

10. Sarajevo Feedback Meeting, 9-10 May 2002 The L&C feedback meetings in Bosnia and Herzegovina took place on 9-10 May 2002. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss actively constructive parliamentary-civil society relations and set a schedule and plan for the legislative feedback. Participants included Mariofil Ljubic, Chairman of the House of Representatives, State Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Branka Todorovic, Secretary General of the House of Representatives, State Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Zlatko Vukmirovic, Head of the Public Relations Office of the State Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ismet Briga, Chairman of the House of Representatives, Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Slavica Gebert, Secretary of the House of Representatives, Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Tomo Vidovic, Deputy Chairman of the Tuzla Canton Assembly, Member of the House of People of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Igor Rajner, Member of the House of People of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Rasim Kadic, Deputy Minister of European Integration, member of Council of Ministers; Zara Halilovic, Coordinator for Stability Pact, Working Table 1, Ministry of European Integration; Fadil Sero, Executive Manager, Civil Society Promotion Centre (CSPC); Omir Tufo, Project Manager, Civil Society Promotion Centre (CSPC); Zlatan Ohranovic, CCI Director; Tamara Ljubinkovic, Assistant to the CCI Director; Ivica

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Cavar, L&C Local Project Manager; Leila Deronja, L&C Local Project Assistant; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director and Aurela Isufi, Project Manager. Mr Ljubic emphasised the great need to adopt laws in various areas and noted the support given by the NGO-citizens in two cases, namely when discussing the law on the national minorities and the law on public holidays. He further expressed his confidence that the project Legislatures and Citizens will be very useful in giving NGOs the opportunity to contribute to the legislative process. For the purpose of this project, it is up to the MPs to decide which draft laws to include for legislative feedback and development. It was suggested that the draft law on national minorities and the draft law on gender equality might be interesting for the purpose of this project. Mr Ismet Briga emphasised the importance of the project Legislatures and Citizens at a time of the implementation of the constitutional amendments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After their entry into force, there will be some substantial changes in the institutional framework in the country. For instance, the role of the Federal Parliament will be more synchronised and state level will no longer be considered as separate. Mr Briga added that the state level parliament should be included in the project Legislatures and Citizens. Mr Briga also emphasised the large impact that this project might have on Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the NGO sector is a very important component of the civil society, which in many cases lacks professionalism and expertise. Mr Rasim Kadic noted that the government initiates over 80% of the laws passed in Parliament. The involvement of the civil society has so far been minimal. He further elaborated on the reasons for the backwardness of the NGO sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the war that broke out at a time when the non-governmental sector was just starting up. Mr Kadic noted that there is a great need for NGO involvement in the legislative process, which is the reason why the project Legislatures and Citizens could be very helpful. Tomo Vidovic started by congratulating the EWPPP for having chosen the CCI as the local partner for the implementation of the project Legislatures and Citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He pointed out the great value the project carries by aiming at building trust between the civil society and the elected representatives, increasing the accountability of the MPs vis-à-vis the civil society and initiating a dialogue across the countries of the Stability Pact, most of which have gone through serious internal conflicts. Citizens can sometimes feel disoriented and they should be more aware of their rights and the ways they can exercise them. With regard to the law-making process, Mr Vidovic noted that fifteen days before the parliamentary session, the drafts are sent to the committee for discussion. It could happen that MPs ask for expert opinions from outside Parliament, however this is more the exception than the rule. Mr Igor Rajner emphasised that the state parliament will have more powers due to the coming into force of the constitutional amendments. 11. In-country Meeting in Kosovo, 15-16 May 2002 On 15-16 May 2002, the EWPPP organised an in-country meeting in Kosovo. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the EWPPP programme Legislatures and Citizens to the newly elected Assembly of Kosovo, discuss parliamentary-civil society relations and set a schedule and plan for the first phase of the programme. Participants included Nexhat Daci, Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo; Mr Bujar Dugolli, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the AAK (Alliance for the Future of Kosovo); Mr Fatmir Limaj, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the PDK (Democratic Party of Kosovo); Hatixhe Hoxha, MP, Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of the PDK; Berat Lusha, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the PDK; Flora Brovina, MP, Democratic Party of Kosovo; Driton Lajci, MP, Democratic Party of Kosovo; Oliver Ivanovic, MP, Member of the Presidency of the Assembly of Kosovo; Sabri Hamiti, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo); Franc Boulen, Secretary General of the Assembly of Kosovo; Hubert van Eck Koster, Head of the Member�s Service, Assembly of Kosovo; Joe Reynolds, Head of the Legal Department, Assembly of Kosovo; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director and Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Project Manager. Mr Nexhat Daci expressed his gratitude to the EWPPP for including the newly elected Assembly of Kosovo in the programme Legislatures and Citizens. He emphasised his wish that Kosovo be part of the regional initiatives in parliamentary cooperation. With regards to the representation of the Assembly abroad, Mr Daci noted that Kosovo is not yet represented at the Council of Europe. There is, however, one Kosovar representative at the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe in Brussels. Mr Daci emphasised the fact that a delegation of the Dutch Parliament had already visited the Assembly of Kosovo. Concerning the interparliamentary regional exchanges in the second phase of the programme, Mr Daci noted that his preference would be a visit to the Parliament of Croatia. He further added that the place for an exchange of opinions between the Kosovar MPs and their counterparts is in the framework

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of the European institutions. Mr Bujar Dugolli noted that a lot has to be done in order to normalise relations between the political parties and their representation in parliament. He further added that as new MPs, they would need to work on improving the functioning of their institutions. Regarding the civil society, Mr Dugolli noted that the NGO sector lacks experience and expertise. With regard to the interparliamentary regional exchange visits, he added that his preference would be a visit to the Parliament of Albania, Croatia, or Bulgaria. Mr Dugolli agreed to serve as a member of the Kosovar Consultative Committee for the purpose of this programme. Mr Fatmir Limaj expressed his gratitude to the EWPPP for their involvement in Kosovo. He added that the programme Legislatures and Citizens will be very important and that he looked forward to its implementation. Mr Limaj continued by pointing out various difficulties encountered during the set up of the new Assembly, such as problems related to the internal structure of the Assembly. When asked about his preference for the regional exchange visits, Mr Limaj noted that he would like to visit the Parliaments of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. He further agreed to serve as a member of the Kosovar Consultative Committee for the purpose of this programme. Mr Oliver Ivanovic noted that inter-ethnic tolerance and open-mindedness were most needed. He added that as member of the new Assembly they should leave questions over the state status of Kosovo for later and deal with the everyday problems and the return process. Mr Ivanovic gave his full support to the programme Legislatures and Citizens and added that in the framework of the regional exchanges within the programme, he would like to visit the Parliaments of Croatia, Macedonia Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the current situation in the NGO sector in Kosovo, including almost exclusively aid and humanitarian relief organisations, and bearing in mind the legislative activity of the new Assembly, it was agreed to design a special programme to be implemented in Kosovo. The EWPPP will remain in close consultations with the members of the Assembly and the EWPPP programme advisors in order to schedule a timeline of activities for Kosovo. 12. Preparatory Meeting to Macedonia, 26-28 May 2002 On 26-28 May 2002, the EWPPP organised a preparatory meeting in Macedonia in order to set up the Macedonian LCC, agree on a timetable with the local partner, discuss possible pieces of legislation, introduce the programme to the Parliament and define the further development of this project as well as determine the new schedule of activities. The meetings of the Members of the now established Local Consultative Committee in the Macedonian Parliament under the "Legislatures and Citizens" project took place on 27 and 28 May 2002. Participants in these meetings included Mersel Bilalli, MP, Party for Democratic Prosperity; Jordan Boskov, MP, Liberal Party, Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee; Petar Goshev, MP, Liberal Party; Hulija Hilmi, FORUM Project Manager; Zoran Jacev, FORUM Executive Director; Vesna Jovanovska, VMRO-DPMNE; Radmila Sekerinska, Vice President of Social Democratic Union of Macedonia; Zivko Temelkovski, Project Co-ordinator, Forum and Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP, Project Manager/Regional Representative. To introduce the project in more detail to the LCC, Zoran Jacev and Joeri Buhrer Tavanier made short presentations about the project, the main activities to be developed in the future, the role of the LCC and the methodology of the project. All present confirmed their commitment to participate in the implementation of the project in Macedonia. The second subject on the agenda was the piece of legislation to be selected for discussion. In earlier meetings, LCC members proposed discussing a new draft law on the financing of local government. During the meetings on 27 and 28 May, however, MPs said that this law at second thought might be too complicated for discussion within Legislatures and Citizens. According to Mr Bilali, there are hardly any relations between NGOs and the Parliament. This project is therefore important because it will not just �improve� such a relationship, it will basically be among the first programmes that enable a �real� cooperation. There is an endemic fear to work with NGOs because the Parliament has no experience in cooperating with civil society. It is therefore important to choose a piece of legislation that is important for both sides. In this way, we would be able to ensure the MPs interest. Mr Goshev also noted this problem. He too advised to take a �simpler� piece of legislation, instead of the Local government financing draft. Ms Sekerinska also said the Local government financing act was too complicated. She mentioned the Parliament�s outdated rules of procedure. With the current rules, Macedonia will not become an EU member within 50 years, she said. New rules have to be adopted soon. The Members of the LCC decided to meet again to decide on a final piece of legislation for usage within the Legislatures and citizens project. FORUM will then prepare a detailed timeline of activities,

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which it will send to EWPPP for approval. The reason for the new schedule is the upcoming parliamentary election that will take place this September. Because of the elections, the Parliament stops working 60 days before the elections. This means working with the Local Consultative Committee will only be possible until July. It would be most practical to choose from the package of 16 laws based on the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which have to be adopted by the end of August.

13. Zagreb Feedback Meeting, 11 June 2002 The L&C feedback meeting with representatives of Parliament and civil society concerning the legislative process took place on 11 June 2002 in Zagreb. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with members of parliament the draft law on the functioning of the political parties prepared by representatives of civil society. Participants included Snjezana Biga-Friganovic, MP, Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health Care; Marija Lugaric, MP, Social Democrat Party; Zdravko Tomac, MP, Social Democrat Party; Nenad Stazic, MP, Social Democrat Party; Helena �timac Radin, MP, Liberal Party; Darko �antic, MP, Croatian Popular Party; Mi�o Zoranić, MP, Croatian Popular Party; Vesna �kare O�bolt, MP, Democratic Center; Dorica Nikolić, MP, Croatian Social Liberal Party; Dejan Palić, Croatian Law Center; Radmila Sučević, Women association B.a.b.e.; Goran Marković, HOMO; Zoran Malenica, Dalmatian Solidarity Committee; Ines Ćurin, Association of Youth; Srđan Dvornik, From Transition to Democracy; Dubravka Prodanović, Civil Committee for Human Rights; Davor Gjenero, Croatian Movement for Social Justice; Gvozden Flego, CHC Board Member; Bojan Munjin, CHC Acting Director for Civil Society; �arko Puhovski, CHC President and Ivica Cavar, Project Manager, Centres for Civic Initiatives (CCI), Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting commenced with a welcome by the co-ordinator of the L&C project and representative of the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Gvozden Flego, who was accompanied by the representative of the Croatian Consultative Committee, Snjezana Biga Friganovic. It was illustrated that the presentation of the Bill of Political Parties, which was developed by the expert group of the Croatian Legal Centre (participating Non Government Organisation) is proof of the agility of the civil society in Croatia. It also demonstrates the beginning of the collaboration between NGO's and legislative bodies. This was followed with a speech given by Ivan Prpic, Professor of the Faculty of Political Science and leader of the expert group for the formation of the Bill of Political Parties. He pointed out that the bill, formed in detail, resulted from the elementary request of the pluralistic organisation of the political parties. It is also a response to the idea of legitimacy of parties that is based on the national sovereignty. The representatives of Parliament and the Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Affairs and Legislation, as well as the leaders of political parties, were mainly polarised on the issue of the effectiveness of the great number of the bill�s regulations. That is, on the issue of whether the law, with its regulations, should impinge upon the details of the organisation and functioning of a political party. There was a conflict of opinion when the representatives of the non-government organisations demanded more administrative regulations in the law while the representatives of the legislative authority asked for less. The main argument of the expert group and NGO representatives in the discussion was that the law, which regulates in detail the functioning of political parties can only help democracy, not hinder it. Finally, the Members of Parliament decided to support the draft law, proposing it to Parliament for admission through the Committee on legislation. 14. Bucharest Feedback Meeting, 12 June 2002 On 12 June 2002, the EWPPP, in cooperation with the APD, organised a feedback meeting in Bucharest to discuss actively constructive parliamentary-civil society relations and make a schedule and plan for the legislative feedback component of the project. Participants in this meeting included Nicolae Paun, MP, Party of Roma in Romania, President of the Committee for Human Rights; Eberhard-Wolfgang Wittstockic, MP, Forum of the Germans in Romania; Mihaela Mandrea Muraru, MP, Social Democratic Party, Committee for Human Rights; Pavel Cherescu, MP, Great Romania Party; Bahrin Dorel, MP, Romanian Humanist Party, Committee for Defense, Public Order and Safety; Eugenia Rotaru, APD Program Manager; Traian Marinescu, Estuar Foundation; Gelu Maksutovici, Union of Albanians; Carmen Petrovici, Foundation for Civil Society Development; Traian David, Save the Children Organisation; Florentina Covaliu, National Council for Refugees; Liana Popa, Foundation for Pluralism; Dan Mihai, Helsinki Committee; Vera Campeanu, Accept; Alievici Gemile, Union of Albanians; Ecaterina Pacurar, ARCA; Mihai Cristian. BNS; Olaru Louise, European Movement; Florin Niculescu, Alianta Civica; Liana Ganea, Agency for Press Monitoring; Daniela Stan, Fundatia Pestalozzi; Alina Stancu, Radio Romania;

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Ileana Lucraciu, Romania Libera; Mirela Luca, Ziarul Financiar; Alina Zamfiroiu, Mediafax and Mircea Stroe, Jurnalul Bihorean. The main topic on the agenda was the Modification of �Title II� from the Constitution on �Fundamental rights�. During the meeting, the debate between civil society and Parliament regarding the modification of the Constitution was opened. Modifying of the Constitution requires a consensus on the level of both the political environment and civil society. Nicolae Paun opened the session by naming common interests of the Pro Democracy Association and The Human Rights Committee. He mentioned issues like the improvement of the electoral system and the dialogue with civil society. The civil society proposals referred to the following aspects of �Title II� of the Constitution: decreasing the number of signatures necessary for introducing in Parliament a legislative initiative from 250 000 to 100 000; modifying art. 3, § 3 which contains a restrictive stipulation and extending it with the possibility of establishing territorial communities; changing the Constitution must be sustained by an information campaign; introducing the principle of equal chances and equal access for women to elected positions � regulating this aspect also through an organic law and guaranteeing the right to property. (The right to property has been infringed by all governments until now) Furthermore, civil society introduced the following proposals: regulating more clearly the problem of arresting the persons since the term stipulated in the present Constitution in not constitutional; ensuring the right of free access to education; ensuring the right of free access to justice (presently this right is infringed by the system of taxes and it is a complicated juridical procedure); modifying art. 38, §2, reformulating the concept of social protection in the context of the international treaties signed by Romania and in the context of EU integration; modifying article 38, §4 in the sense of introducing the following �for equal work women and men should receive equal payment�; eliminating the obligatory military stage; modifying art. 35: allowing Romanian citizens with foreign citizenship or living abroad the right to be elected; ensuring foreigners the right to buy land in Romania and modifying art. 52 in the sense of the professionalisation of the army. All proposals were submitted to the Committee. 15. Sofia Feedback Meeting, 20 July 2002 On 20 July 2002, the EWPPP, in cooperation with the FDBF, organised a feedback meeting in Sofia. Participants in this meeting included Tatyana Doncheva, MP, Member of the Committee on Legal Affairs; Ivan N. Ivanov, MP, Deputy Chair, Transport and Telecommunications Committee; Tatyana Kalkanova, MP, Member of the Committee on Civil Society Affairs; Lyuben Kornezov., MP, Chair of the Committee on Citizen�s Petitions and Complaints; Nikolay Mladenov, MP, Member of the Committee on Civil Society Affairs; Milena Paunova, MP, Member of the Committee on Civil Society Affairs; Ivo Hristov, parliamentary staff member, Expert at the Committee on Legal Affairs; Lyudmila Georgieva, parliamentary staff member, Expert at the Committee on Civil Society Affairs; Milena Harizanova, Expert, Project Management Unit, Child Welfare Reform Project, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare; Mihail Ivanov, Secretary, National Council on Ethnic and Demographic Affairs, Council of Ministers; Velina Todorova, Director, Directorate �International Cooperation�, State Agency for Child Protection; Lenko Lenkov, FDBF Executive Director; Radoslav Genchev, Project Manager; Zhivka Vasileva, Project Coordinator, Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation; Valerie-Audrey Guidat, Council of Europe Information Centre in Sofia; Boryana Katzarska, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Sofia; Marian Diankov, Programme Director, Centre for Independent Living; Plamen Dimitrov, Program Manager, Democracy Network Program; Nikoleta Efremova, Project Coordinator, Foundation for Local Government Reform; Georgi Genchev, Director, Parliamentary Centre for European Law Foundation; Maria Georgieva, Programme Director, Every Child Foundation; Ema Gileva, Executive Director, Black Sea NGO Network Association; Petya Kabakchieva, President, Social Research Foundation; Tatyana Kovacheva, Programme Director, Save the Children Fund; Svetlana Lomeva, Executive Director, Political Academy for Central and SE Europe; Kapka Panayotova, Executive Director, Centre for Independent Living; Lyuben Panov, Director, Bulgarian Centre for Non-profit Law; Krasen Stanchev, President, Institute for Market Economy; Raina Timcheva, Programme Director, NGO Resource Centre Foundation; Gergana Zhuleva, President, Access to Information Programme and Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP, Project Manager/Regional Representative. Topics discussed included constructive Parliament-civil society relations, the need of the parliamentary committees for cooperation with civil society, proposed legislation that can be used for the purpose of this programme and the in-country schedule of activities for the Legislative Feedback phase. In the

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course of the debate, the parliamentary viewpoint was outlined by Ms Tatyana Kalkanova, Mr Nikolay Mladenov and Ms Tatyana Doncheva. The viewpoint of non-governmental organisations was presented by Ms Gergana Zhuleva, Mr Marian Dyankov and Mr Krasen Stanchev. The experience of their organizations� interaction with the National Assembly was presented as well by Ms Tatyana Kovacheva, Ms Nikoleta Efremova and Ms Rayna Timcheva. The stance of the state institutions was presented by Ms Velina Todorova and Mr Mihail Ivanov. They presented the institutionalised forms of NGO involvement in lawmaking at the level of the Executive: the National Child Protection Council at the State Agency for Child Protection (involving a significant number of NGOs, which can debate the first drafts of legislation); the lawmaking working groups at the National Council of Ethnic and Demographic Affairs involving NGO experts. The overall opinion was that the meeting actually turned into a forum of a lively and instrumental debate, which gave the participants rich food for thought and a good basis for the development of the expressed ideas. 16. Follow-up Visit to Skopje, 6 September 2002 A second preparatory visit to Skopje took place on 6 September 2002. The aim of this visit was to discuss implementation of L&C after the parliamentary elections of 15 September, define the further development of this project as well as determine the new schedule of activities. Because of the Parliamentary elections in Macedonia, to be held on 15 September 2002, we have not been able yet to organise a feedback meeting in Skopje. This short informal meeting was meant to discuss the implementation of Legislatures and citizens until the end of the year. Therefore, EWPPP Project Manager/Regional Representative Joeri Buhrer Tavanier met with Hulija Hilmi, Project Manager, Forum and Zivko Temelkovski, Project Assistant, Forum. Because of the elections there is now a considerable delay in activities. As soon as the new Parliament has been formed, Forum will contact the LCC again. It will first determine whether the LCC can function in its makeup of July 2002 or whether a new LCC has to be formed. This depends on which MPs will have been (re) elected. 17. Follow-up Feedback Meeting to Pristina, 2-5 October 2002 A follow-up feedback meeting to Pristina, Kosovo, was held on 2-5 October 2002. The purpose of this visit was to assess the parliamentary-civil society relations. The EWPPP delegation met with Nexhat Daci, Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo; Fatmir Limaj, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the PDK; Sabri Hamiti, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the LDK, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Kole Berisha, Deputy Chairman of the LDK; Bujar Dugolli, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the AAK; Gjylnaze Syla, Secterary General of the AAK; Isuf Demaj, Seretary Geneal of the Assembly; Franklin De Vrieze, Political Affairs Officer and ASI Coordinator, OSCE; Rita Taphorn, Programme Officer, OSCE; Valerie Sluiter, Head of The Netherlands Office in Pristina; Lars Tummers, Principal International Officer to the Prime Minister; Katherine L. Nichols, USAID; Fran Nazi, East-West Management Program; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director; Elisabeth Lubbers, Program Advisor and Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Senior Program Manager. Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, noticed that 18 committees have been set up and are now functioning in the Assembly. The Assembly Support Initiative set up by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has been coordinating the support of foreign aid and donors concerning the Assembly. Franklin de Vrieze noted that the first three laws have already been adopted, namely the law on pensions, the law on primary and secondary education and the law on higher education. Several other laws are at present in consideration. According to the ASI representatives, there is need for quality in the legislative process. The Acting Secretary-General of the Assembly, Mr Franck Boulin, noted that the Assembly of Kosovo intends to work in accordance with the standards of Western democracies, as set forth in the Constitutional Framework, which is why the work carried out in support of the new Assembly is of extreme importance. He added that some of the most pressing needs included the clarification of the relation between the Government and the Assembly, as well as the committee work with respect to receiving, drafting and amending laws. Mr Daci expressed his full support of the participation of the western MPs in support of the work of the Assembly. He further added that such a co-operation would be beneficial also to the western MPs, providing them first-hand information on Kosovo, free of media clichés. With the election of the Assembly of Kosovo and the President of Kosovo and with the increased transfer of powers to the local institutions, the capacity of the Assembly and its members to fulfil their basic functions such as representing the electorate and developing legislation in accordance to their needs is being tested on

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a day-to-day basis. At the Assembly level, a lack of access to accurate information and the ability to use such information in the debating and decision-making process is getting in the way of the development of an effective democratic parliamentary practice. It was emphasised that there is no long-term programme aimed at building trust and confidence among the members and the different political groups, the normalisation of the inter-party relations or the establishment of channels of communication between the members of the Assembly and their European counterparts. As regards the NGO sector, Katherine Nichols told us that the USAID is working on transparency and accountability programmes. The development, discussion and passing of the education bill in the Assembly are the first examples of co-operation between the civil society representatives and MPs. Civil society in Kosovo includes the NGOs, political parties and individual activists. The following NGOs were mentioned: the Gjakova Forum, the Forum for Democratic Institutions (FDI), the Kosovo Action Civil Initiative (KACI) and Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (CDHRF). The latter is one of the most experienced NGOs in Kosovo, established 12 years ago. The focus of the CDHRF is now on election monitoring, as well as government monitoring both at the municipal and central level. Some of the main problems facing the civil society in Kosovo include emerging trends towards the overly powerful executive, the role of the executive vis-à-vis Parliament, as well as the gap between the executive and Parliament.

18. Croatia Roundtable Debate, 10 October 2002 The Croatia Roundtable Debate was held on 10 October 2002 in Zagreb. Participants included representatives of the Croatian Parliament: Zdravko Tomac, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Social Democrat Party; Snjezana Biga Friganovic, Social Democrat Party; Marija Lugaric, Social Democrat Party; Viktor Broz, Croatian Social Liberal Party; Miroslav Furdek, Croatian Peasant Party; Zrinjka Glovacki-Bernardi, Liberal Party (Libra); Marijan Marsic, Croatian Peasant Party; Romano Mestrovic, Social Democrat Party and Ivo Slaus, Social Democrat Party. Representatives of Croatian NGOs included: Dejan Palic, Croatian Law Center; Bojan Munjin, Croatian Helsinki Committee; Radmila Sucevic, Women�s organization �B.a.b.e.�; Toni Vidan, �Green action�; Jelena Cukrov, �From transition to democracy�; Srdjan Dvornik, �From transition to democracy�; Dubravka Miskovic, Civil Committee For Human Rights; Ankica Gorkic, Serbian Democratic Forum; Biserka Milosecic, Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights; Ramiza Memedi, Roma organization; Irena Curin, National Youth Association and Milan Lucic, Association for Owners� Rights. EU and regional representatives included: Petro Koci, Member of Parliament, Albania; Branko Neskovic, Member of Parliament, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Otto Vos, Member of Parliament, The Netherlands; Gregor Niessen, Programme Director, One Europe Foundation, The Netherlands; Hulija Hilmi, Centre for Strategic Research and Documentation, FORUM, Macedonia; Ivica Cavar, Centers for Civic Initiatives, CCI, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Lejla Deronja, Centers for Civic Initiatives, CCI, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Tin Gazivoda, CHC Director; Bojan Munjin, L&C Project Manager; Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Senior Programme Manager and Lyda Doyle, EWPPP Project Assistant. Zdravko Tomac gave the opening speech. Topics discussed included co-operation between Parliament and Civil Society in the legislative process from the NGO perspective, co-operation between Parliament and Civil Society in the legislative process from the Parliamentary perspective, discussion of points of agreement and disagreement during the feedback on the draft law on the functioning of the political parties based on the Croatian Helsinki Committee Commentary, the dynamics of the legislative process and politics and building trust between legislators and civil society when dealing with hot political issues. The main views shared during the roundtable were the importance of co-operation between parliament and the NGOs and the benefits that have come about by meeting together in this forum. Wide support was shown for not only a strong relationship between the two sides but also a co-operative link between parliament and civil society. The participants shared their ideas on how to establish this link and how to make the most of these circumstances. The door should be open to all forms of discussion in order to create something concrete in the future. 19. Albania Roundtable Debate, 25 October 2002 The Albania Roundtable Debate was organised on 25 October 2002. The purpose of the debate was to take both an objective and critical look at various policy approaches to the legislative process and

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discuss the Paper/ Commentary developed by Albanian Centre for Human Rights, ACHR. Participants included Servet Pëllumbi, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament; Makbule Çeço, Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Socialist Party; Jemin Gjana, MP, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Group, Democratic Party; Engjëll Bejtja, MP, Deputy Chair of the Social-Democratic Party; Fatmir Mediu, MP, Chairman of the Republican Party, Chairman of the Committee for EU Integration and the Stability Pact; Musa Ulqini, MP, Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Information, Socialist Party; Petro Koçi, MP, Socialist Party; Durim Hushi, MP, Socialist Party; Ermelinda Meksi, MP, Head of the Permanent Parliamentary Delegation to the European Parliament; Ritvan Bode, MP, Secretary General of the Democratic Party; Fatos Beja, MP, Democratic Party; Gaqo Apostoli, MP, Social-Democrat Party; Prenç Zogaj, MP, Democratic Alliance Party; Hamdi Jupe, Head of the Cabinet of the Speaker of Parliament; Fatmir Xhafaj, MP, Socialist Party; Qazim Tepshi, MP, Democrat Party; Vangjel Mita, Head of Protocol; Pranvera Xhelo, Department of Interparliamentary Affairs; Vjollca Meçe, Director, Women's Advocacy Center; Rasim Gjoka, Director, Foundation for Conflict Resolution; Aurela Pano, Director, Albanian Center for the Children's Rights; Nikolla Gogo, NGO for Handicapped Durres; Sokol Lekaj, Foundation for Conflict Resolution; Jonida Jolldashi, Foundation for Conflict Resolution; Sokol Berberi, Director, Center for Parliamentary Studies; Merita Gjoka, Center for Rehabilitation of Trauma and Torture Victims; Brisejda Dengu, Center for Rehabilitation of Trauma and Torture Victims and Isa Gorica, Syndicate, F.I.N.C. Albania. Foreign guests included Malcolm Bruce, Member of the House of Commons, United Kingdom; Radu Ghidau former Member of Parliament, Romania; David Skaggs, Executive Director of the Democracy and Citizenship Program at the Aspen Institute in Washington, Member of the US Congress 1987 � 1999; Kevin Patrick, Lobbyist, USA; Miodrag Vlahovic, Project Manager, Centre for democracy and Human Rights, Podgorica, Montenegro; Vladimir Podoprigora, former Member of the Russian Parliament (1990-1995), Vice-Governor of Novgorod. Other participants included Stavri Koçollari, Representative of the Ombudsman Office; Elga Mitre, Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Albania; Miranda Veliaj, Representative of OSCE Office; Agron Lamku, International Organisation for Migration; Kozara Kati, ACHR Director; Niazi Jaho, ACHR Board Member; Ndue Zef Toma, ACHR Editor; Elma Tërshana, ACHR Coordinator; Edlira Shapllo, ACHR Lawyer; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director; Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Senior Program Manager and Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP Project Manager/Regional Representative. Topics on the agenda included opening remarks by Servet Pellumbi; discussion of the Paper/ Commentary, NGOs in the legislative process in Albania; NGOs utility to Parliament and accessibility to the legislative process; cooperation between Parliament and civil society in the legislative process from the Parliamentary perspective; dynamics of the legislative process and politics and building trust between legislator and civil society when dealing with hot political issues. Participants made various suggestions including that the Albanian Parliament must have the initiative to invite the different syndicate organisations to parliamentary sessions; in the legislative process, the role of civil society may be in opposition to Parliament, but not in disagreement at every point; Parliament needs to have the assistance of independent experts because it is very difficult to separate from political indication; the NGOs can be the means of providing validation and legitimisation to the politicians; politicians need to have public understanding and NGOs are seen as an effective and trustful resource of expertise and, within the Albanian Parliament, an "Information Office" needs to be set up because representatives from civil society or any one from the general public has the right and the possibility to be informed about draft laws in discussion. This is one way to inform the general public about Parliamentary activities. NGOs should be selected to be part of different Parliamentary Commission discussions depending on their specific expertise on the different topics.

20. Feedback Meeting, Skopje, 30 October 2002 On 30 October, EWPPP and Forum organised a feedback meeting in Skopje. Participants included representatives of the following NGOs: The Community of the organisations of the disabled in the Republic of Macedonia, The Union of the disabled persons of the Republic of Macedonia, The Union of the deaf people of the Republic of Macedonia, The Union of the blind people of the Republic of Macedonia, The State Centre for Assistance to the People with mental disability, the Union of the Labour Disabled People of the Republic of Macedonia, The National Coordinating Body for the issues of the disabled people and Polio Plus, as well as members of the Local Consultative Committee.

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Articles discussed included article 1 of the law for disabled persons, which stipulates the benefits for disabled in public transport. Article 3 stipulates which persons are considered as disabled persons that have the right to beneficiary transport. The next Article determines what is considered as a disabled handicap, damaged sight, damaged hearing and persons with intellectual problems. This Article determines the degree of the damage, which gives the right to beneficiary transport. In the conclusions of the meeting it was stated that the participation of the civil sector in the legislative process is necessary. Civil society was not only interested in having information on the content and the forms of the legislation process, but really participated in the drafting process. The participation in the preparation of the legal projects could be done in two ways. The first one is the participation of the NGOs in certain phases of the process of preparation of draft laws. In the preparation of the legal acts, the ministries should submit the proposals i.e. the prepared working texts for an opinion, suggestions or remarks by the respective NGOs. The second way is that the NGOs should make proposals themselves, initiate different legal proposals to the Parliament, as well as to be more persistent in proposing legal projects. A working group has been set up, consisting of NGO representatives and MPs.

21. Romania Roundtable Debate, 1 November 2002 The Romania Roundtable debate was held on 1 November 2002 in Bucharest. The roundtable took an objective and a critical look at various policy approaches to the issue, as well as a critical look at the Paper/Commentary developed by the NGOs involved in the project. Participants included Radu F. Alexandru, Senator, National Liberal Party; Costică Canacheu, MP, Democrat Party; Mona Muscă, MP, National Liberal Party; Victor Babiuc, MP, Independent Senator; Mihaela Mândrea-Muraru, MP, Humanist Party; George Serban, Counsellor, Romanian Senate; Iulia Huiu, Counsellor, Deputies Chamber; Ruxandra Costache, Juridical Counsellor; Alina Rădoi, Juridical Counsellor and Andreea Abruda, Expert, Ombudsman. The Romanian civil society was represented by over twenty national and international NGOs. Other participants included Dumitru Costin, Trade Union BNS; Cătălin Dancu, lawyer, BNS; Bogdan Hossu, Trade Union Confederation �Cartel Alfa�; Cătălin Croitoru, Federation of Educaţiei Naţionale; Sever Cartianu, Secretary General, Trade Union Federation of Transporters; Stefan Deaconu, Assistant professor, Law Faculty and Dan Pavel, Faculty of Political Sciences. Foreign guests included Nan Aron, Alliance for Justice, USA; Benjamin Feit, Deputy Chief of Party, DAI; Steven Blake, Political Officer, US Embassy; Mark Wentworth, Public Affairs Officer, US Embassy; Aurel Ciobanu Dordea, Pre-Accession Advisor, European Commission Delegation in Romania; Cristian Pârvulescu, APD President; Adrian Sorescu, Executive Director; Eugenia Rotaru, Coordinator for the relations with the Parliament; Radu Ghidau, EWPPP Steering Committee Member and Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP Project Manager/Regional Representative. Topics discussed included presentation of the projects �Romanian Legal framework of Lobby activity- Assessment & Raising Awareness Campaign� and �Legislatures and citizens�; regulating lobby activities in Romania; internal context and previous initiatives in this field; the concept of lobbying; lobbying in other countries; influencing public opinion in Romania and lobbying vs. trafficking of influence. At the end of the meeting participants decided to submit suggestions to be included in the law on lobbying, drafted by a consortium of NGOs. Based on this list, a joint proposal will be submitted. On 29 November there will be another meeting between the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Parliament and representatives of businesses, civil society and the media.

22. Bulgaria Roundtable Debate, 9 November 2002 The Bulgaria Roundtable Debate was held on 9 November 2002 in Varna. Participants in the roundtable debate included Anelia Atanasova, MP, NMS II; Atanas Vasilev, MP, NMS II; Borislav Ralchev, MP, NMS II; Ivan Kozovski, MP, NMS II; Ivan N. Ivanov, MP, UDF; Liubomir Panteleev, MP, Coalition for Bulgaria; Luchezar Toshev, MP, UDF, Chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Religious Denominations; Marina Dikova, MP, Parliamentary group of NMS II; Nasko Rafailov; Petia Gegova, MP, NMS II, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Self-government, Regional Policies and Town Planning; Stefan Minkov, MP, NMS II; Stelian Grozdev, MP, NMS II; Ivo Hristov, Chief Expert, Committee on Legal Affairs, National Assembly; Mariana Vitanova, Head, Parliamentary Information Centre Department; Savin Kovachev, Chief Expert, Committee on Self-government, Regional Policies and Town Planning; Antonina Doncheva, Senior Expert, Region with Administrative Centre Varna; Atanas Stoilov, Mayor, Aksakovo Municipality; Atanaska Assenova, Legal Advisor, Avren Municipality; Boris Kornovski, Deputy Mayor,

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Varna Municipality; Diana Ilieva, Head of Regional Development Department, Region with Administrative Centre Varna; Galia Stoyanova, Senior Expert, Regional Development Department, Region with Administrative Centre Varna; Georgi Tashev, Senior Architect, Primorsko Municipality; Ilian Tzonev, Mayor, Biala Municipality; Konstantin Galabov, Consultant, Ministry of Environment and Waters; Krassimir Gorchev, Senior Expert, Ministry of Environment and Waters; Nikola Nikolov, Deputy Governor, Region with Administrative Centre Varna; Rosen Pavlov, Senior Expert, Region with Administrative Centre Dobrich; Ventzislav Nikolov, Director, Black Sea Basin Directorate; Yani Yanev, Governor, Region with Administrative Centre Varna; Alexander Assenov, Martzianopolis Foundation; Ema Gileva, Executive Director, Black Sea NGO Network; Hristo Tzvetkov, Secretary General, Bulgarian Association of Yacht Ports; Ivan Lazarov, Executive Director, Association of Shipbuilders and Dockyard Workers; Juliana Yaneva, Youths Forum XXI Century; Luchezar Bratoev, Chairman, Bulgarian Association of Yacht Ports; Mariana Ivanova, Executive Director, Association of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities; Marina Dimova, Program Coordinator, Foundation for Local Government Reform and Lenko Lenkov, Executive Director, Free and democratic Bulgaria Foundation. Visiting guests included Eugenia Rotaru, Program Manager, Pro Democracy Association Romania; Guillaume Sainteny, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Political Studies, Paris; James Borger, Volunteer, US Peace Corps and Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP Project Manager/Regional Representative.

Topics discussed included an analysis of problems and achievements in the interaction between parliamentarians and NGO representatives during the first stage of the "Legislatures and Citizens" project; the need for modern legislation to regulate the Black Sea coastal area; issues, aims, scope and structure of the Law on the Black Sea Coastal Area; potential coalitions and legal initiative groups in the area of legal regulation of the Black Sea coastal area issues. There was a recurring emphasis on the complexity of the issues related to the Black Sea coast, given that this is an area which combines in a unique way possibilities for rapid economic growth in a number of directions with the imperative necessity to preserve the environment and use carefully the limited coastal area resources. Specific consideration was given to the need for combining and prioritising the different and sometimes contradictory interests at national and local levels, as well as the powers delegated to various institutions related to the coast. The importance of transparency and public debate was underlined in connection with efforts for attaining a balance of interests in the legislative regulations to be adopted. Apparently the Round Table could not find solutions to the whole range of problems raised in its course. It was decided that the Round Table transcript should be made available on the National Assembly�s and ABBSLA�s web-sites where citizens and non-governmental organisations will also be able to place their opinions, comments and proposals. The Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation believes that establishing this electronic forum would be a suitable component of the implementation of the second stage of the "Legislatures and Citizens" project as well.

23. Montenegro Roundtable Debate, 13 November 2002 On 13 November 2002, the EWPPP and CEDEM organised a roundtable debate in Podgorica, Montenegro, to discuss the legislative feedback phase of the project. The roundtable participants were welcomed by the Deputy Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, Mr Rifat Rastoder, whose remarks emphasized the importance of the cooperation with civil society. Other participants in the roundtable included Igor Luksic, MP, DPS; Miodrag Vukovic, MP, DPS; Ranko Krivokapic, MP, President of the SDP; Borislav Banovic, MP, SDP; Ferhat Dinosha, MP, DUA; Vuksan Simonovic, MP, SNP; Predrag Popovic, MP, NS; Goran Danilovic, MP, SNS; Miodrag Zivkovic, MP, LSCG; Branislav Radulovic, MP, SDP; Veselin Pavicevic, CEDEM expert on electorate law; Srdjan Darmanovic, CEDEM Director; Zlatko Vujovic, Centre for Monitoring of Elections; Nebojsa Medojevic, Centre for Transition; Marko Canovic, Centre for Democratic Transition; Stevo Muk, Centre for development of NGOs; Milenko Popovic, Director of Centre for International Studies, University of Montenegro; Nenad Koprivica, CEDEM assistant; Miodrag Vlahovic, CEDEM project manager; Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Senior Programme Manager and Lyda Doyle, EWPPP project assistant. Foreign representatives included Damir Masic, MP, Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Gregor Niessen, Programme Director, One Europe Foundation, The Netherlands and Gary Bass, OMB Watch, Washington D.C. The status of the civil society organisations and their tendency towards political affiliations were further debated. Foreign participants emphasised the importance of NGO independence from both government and political parties, which in turn would increase their public credibility.

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24. Serbia Roundtable Debate, 15 November 2002 The Serbia Roundtable Debate was held on 15 November 2002 in Belgrade. Participants in the roundtable included Stevan Lilic, MP, Democratic Centre; Đorđe Mamula, MP, Democratic Party of Serbia; Nata�a Milojevic, MP, Social Democratic Party; Milena Milo�evic, MP, Democratic Party; Dragana Djurasinovic, Assistant, Serbian Assembly Board of Foreign Affairs; Milan Nikolic, Center for Policy Research; Aleksandar Roknic, Ekonomist Weekly magazine; Aleksandra Jankovic, Danas Daily magazine; Gary D. Bass, Director, OMB Watch, Washington D.C.; Gregor Niessen, Programme Director, One Europe Foundation, The Netherlands; Nenad Koprivica, CEDEM, Montenegro; Dejan Milenkovic and Nevena Ru�ic, Yugoslav Association of Lawyers; Dragana Aleksandrić, EMINS Account Manager; �ivorad Kovačević, EMINS President; Dragan Lakicevic, EMINS Project Manager; Danijel Pantic, EMINS Secretary General; Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP Project Manager/Regional Representative, Lyda Doyle, EWPPP Project Assistant and Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Senior Programme Manager. Danijel Pantic welcomed all participants and explained the main goals of the programme and this meeting. Dragan Lakicevic then introduced the NGOs involved in the project and gave a brief account of undertaken activities. He explained the main reasons for choosing the Freedom of Information Act, i.e. the aim of this act is to introduce a higher level of transparency in the work of public institutions and the draft of this bill originated in the very heart of the civil sector. It was a joint effort of several NGOs to produce a draft that will contribute to an accountable state administration. Professor Stevan Lilic then explained the details of the recent parliamentary crisis in Serbia and reasons why the work of the Parliament was blocked � and the Parliament thus did not function - for more than four months. Part of his presentation dealt with the ten year long history of trying to introduce a draft law dealing with the Ombudsman. Ms Natasha Milojevic continued by giving some examples of successful cooperation between NGOs and the Parliament. She mentioned the joint work on the Broadcasting Act where several NGOs, Parliamentary Committees and independent experts were working together on no less than eight draft versions. Gary Bass described the long history of introducing the Access to Information act in the USA. Mr Bass further gave some important suggestions concerning the draft law in Serbia. The meeting was closed after planning for the next phase of the project was discussed.

25. Bosnia and Herzegovina Roundtable Debate, 26 November 2002 The Roundtable Debate on the co-operation between Parliament and Civil Society in the Legislative Process in Bosnia Herzegovina was held on 26 November 2002 in Sarajevo. Participants included representatives of the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina including Mariofil Ljubic, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Nikola Spiric, Speaker of the House of Peoples; Milos Jovanovic, MP, House of Representatives; Branka Todorovic, Secretary of the House of Representatives and Ibrahim Spahic, MP, House of Peoples. Representatives of the Federation Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina included Avdo Hebib, MP, House of Representatives (SDA); Damir Masic, MP, House of Representatives (SDP); Stjepan Mikic, MP, House of Representatives (HDZ); Slavica Gebert, Secretary General of the House of Representatives (NHI); Igor Rajner, MP, House of Peoples (SDP) and Nada Arnaut, Secretary General of the House of Peoples. Representatives of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska included Nevenka Trifkovic, MP, (PDP); Branko Neskovic, MP, (SNSD) and Remzija Kadric, MP, (S BIH). The Bosnian NGO community was represented by eighteen NGOs involved in the project including the Democracy Center New Hopes, the Ecology Association ''Kravice Waterfalls'', Citizens cooperation center, the Civil Society Promotion Center, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in BiH, Lex International and the Youth Communication Center in Banja Luka. Other participants included Otto Vos, former Member of Parliament, The Netherlands; Petro Koci, Member of Parliament, Albania; Gregor Niessen, Programme Director, One Europe Foundation, The Netherlands; Miodrag Vlahovic, Project Manager, CEDEM, Montenegro; Ankica Gorgic, Lawyer, Serbian Democratic Forum, Zagreb, Croatia; Borislav Graljuk, MP, representative of the national minorities, Parliament of Croatia; Hulija Hilmi, Program Manager, FORUM, Skopje, Macedonia; Nedjo Milicevic, Professor at the Law Faculty in Sarajevo; Jakob Finci, President of the Jewish Community in BiH; Saban Mujic, President of Association of the Roma; Zara Halilovic, Stability Pactv Coordinator, Ministry for European Integration; Elvis Zutic, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI); Josip Milas, Legal Expert from Council of Ministers; Zlatan Ohranovic, CCI Executive Director; Ivica Cavar, CCI Project Manager; Leila Deronja, CCI Project Manager; Majda Behrem Stojanov, CCI Spoksperson; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director; Lyda A. Doyle, EWPPP Programme Assistant and Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Senior Programme Manager.

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Topics on the agenda included the opening speech by Mariofil Ljubic discussion of the co-operation between Parliaments and civil society in BiH in the legislative process from the parliamentary perspective, the strategy for developing a sustainable non-governmental sector in BiH within the framework of co-operation between the governmental and non-governmental sector from the NGO perspective, involvement of NGOs in the legislative process; the Dutch experience, the rights of ethnic and national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of the Constitutional Amendments within the Entity level, the making of the draft law on the rights of the national minorities in the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the commentary on the draft law on national minorities and the regional perspective on the rights of national minorities.

26. Macedonia Roundtable Debate, 29 November 2002 The Roundtable Debate on the implementation of the project in Macedonia was held on 29 November 2002 in Skopje. Participants in the debate included Jani Makraduli, MP, SDSM; Zoran Shapurik, MP, LDP Group; Zoran Krstevski, MP, LP Group; Zamir Dika, MP, DPA; Ismet Ramadani, MP, Coordinator of Parliamentary Group, PDP; Abdulai Vejseli, MP, PDP Group; Agron Budzaku, MP, Coordinator of Parliamentary group, DUI; Andrej Zernovski, MP, Coordinator of Parliamentary group, LDP; Cedomir Kralevski, MP, VMRO; Nezded Mustafa, MP, SDSM Group; Zvonko Savrevski, President of "Polio Plus"; Miroslav Dobrevski, President of the Association of blind persons; Krume Mitkovski, Association of blind persons; Borce Batic, National Coordinative Body for Equal Rights of Disabled Persons; Branimir Jovanovski, Union of Handicapped; Vanco Karanfilov, President of the Union of Handicapped; Krsto Canev, President of the "Union of the Labour Disabled People�; Megdi Ramazanovski , President of the Union of the Labour Disabled People; Goko Gruevski, Union of the deaf people; Nikola Ognenovski, President of the Union of the deaf people; Dusan Nesevski, Community of the organisations of the disabled; Violeta Dimovska, General Secretary of "Poraka"; Cedomir Trajkovski, President of Poraka and Dr. Dijana Belevska, President of "Dobredojde". Other participants included Marin Dyankov, Researcher and advocacy advisor, Center for Independent Living, Bulgaria; Johan Hommes, OSCE Misson Macedonia; Lenko Lenkov, Executive Director, Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation; Gregor Niessen, Programme Director, One Europe Foundation, The Netherlands; Kapka Panayotova, Executive Director, Center for Independent Living, Bulgaria; Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, EWPPP Project Manager/Regional Representative; Ivica Cavar, CCI Project Manager, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Zoran Bojarovski, Project Coordinator CSRD; Zivko Temelkovski, Project Coordinator CSRD, Hulija Hilmi, Project assistant CSRD, Ana Janevska, Project assistant CSRD; Anzelika Misajlovska, Project assistant in CSRD and Olivera Tevceva, Project assistant CSRD. Topics on the agenda included a review of the undertaken activities and proposal of the draft law on determining the benefits for handicapped when using public transportation, MP's and citizens involvement in drafting legislation from the NGO perspective, MPs and citizens in drafting legislation from the Parliamentary perspective, exchange of experience in the law-drafting process by NGOs, integrated education of disabled children in Bulgaria through amendments to the Public Education Act, the dynamics in the legislative process and the responsibilities of the various actors and exploring opportunities for future cooperation. 27. L&C Mid-Term Regional Conference, Sofia Bulgaria, 6-7 December 2002 The Mid-term Regional Conference in the framework of the project Legislatures and Citizens was held on 5-8 December 2002, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Participants in the Mid-term Conference included representatives of the Parliaments and the civil societies of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia; representatives of EU Parliaments from Belgium, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom; representatives of civil societies from Hungary, Belgium, The Netherlands and the United States; representatives of inter-governmental agencies and members of the Steering Committee and staff of the East-West Parliamentary Practice Project. Unfortunately, representatives of the National Assembly of Kosovo were not able to take part in this conference due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr Younal Lutfi, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Bulgarian Parliament. Dr. Dobrin Kanev read a letter of welcome addressed to the conference participants from the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Georgi Parvanov.

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The first part of the conference focused on an exchange of best/worst practices derived from the first phase of the project: feedback and consultative meetings and roundtable debates. One representative from parliament and one from civil society from each country made a short presentation of the successes and challenges involved in their co-operation. These presentations pointed out that parliamentary co-operation with civil society varies from country to country, but as a rule, it needs to be improved and deepened. All of the Southeastern European countries still face challenges in the continually evolving relationship between legislators and citizens. Elected representatives need to be actively encouraged to reach out to civil society for support in both their parliamentary missions of developing effective legislation and communicating the results to the public. If included as an integral part of the process, in the end the civil society will have an investment in the success of the legislation. Non-governmental organisations often can offer a non-partisan platform for testing ideas, getting civic feedback, educating the public and promoting active citizen participation in public affairs. The second part of the conference focused on how EU member states deal with legislature � civil society relations, as well as the perspective from the region. The key to truly functioning institutions is practice and the desire of attaining EU membership is one of the common goals of all the countries of Southeastern Europe. The third session of the conference focused on planning for the second stage of the project, which will include the staging of public forums and regional exchange visits. In a democratic system, the public understanding of what is happening in Parliament is crucial. PR usually does not stand only for Public Relations, but also for Public Responsibility and Public Responsiveness. Transparency and citizen participation make democratic governing both legitimate and sustainable. Generating public involvement in legislation can happen with or without parliamentary engagement. It is almost always better for parliamentarians, and even NGOs and their leaders, when an issue is brought to a broader public through co-operation by the two. 28. Croatian Roundtable Debate “Labour Bill,” 24 January 2003 Participants included a significant number of NGO representatives, trade-union leaders, parliamentarians, and journalists. The trade unions and NGO organizations opposed the Labour Bill because it reduced the rights of employees regarding work contracts, period of notice and severance pay. The trade union and NGO representatives believed that the Labour Bill negotiations should be focused on the employees� requirements rather than the requirements of the international community for violation of employee rights. The President of the Committee for Work, Social Politics and Health Services of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia, Snjezana Briga Friganovic, determined that the Labour Bill was not definitive and she promised through the public forum dialogue the possibility of amending the bill. 29. Croatian Roundtable Debate “The new draft laws on indemnities for the damage caused by terrorist actions,” 17 February 2003: Participants included Parliamentarians, NGO representatives, representatives from foreign embassies, OSCE, Council of Europe, the UN, and journalists. The previous law about the obligatory relations according to which the state is obliged to compensate the damage done to citizens who have suffered terrorist attacks was repealed in 1996. The Government of the Republic of Croatia proposed a new bill to regulate this issue in February 2003. This new bill was found by many present to be unacceptable; its regulations are applied retroactively, which goes against the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia. During the debate, those opposing the bill explained to the representatives of the legislation their arguments against the bill. The conclusion of the representatives of the NGOs was to direct to each representative of the Croatian Parliament a letter with their critique of the content of the bill and to create a new bill taking into account the corrections. 30. Bosnia and Herzegovina Roundtable Debate “Law about national minorities’ rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” 14 April 2003 Participants included representatives of more than 40 NGOs, national minority representatives, and independent experts. The introduction was given by a law professor from Sarajevo and a law professor from Mostar. One conclusion drawn was that the title should be changed in: �Law about the protection of national minority member rights� the word �member� should be removed, since some rights cannot be realized without being considered collective rights. A possible new title �Law about the protection of national minorities� rights� was suggested in accordance with positive practice in most

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European countries. Another conclusion was that some parts of the law were too general. Also, representatives of the national minorities were not satisfied with regulating their participation in legislative authority; they believe that members of other political parties should not represent their interests in the parliament without their agreement. The national minorities would like to have national minorities elected and representing them in Parliament. There were also concerns about financing private educational institutions, using symbols and signs of the national minorities and using native language. It was also emphasized that some articles were prescribed from other countries� laws which were found to be inapplicable in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Public Forum was well represented in the media: television, radio stations, and BIH daily press newspapers. 31. Romanian Public Forum “The legislative reform of the electoral system in Romania,” 29 May 2003 The discussions were based on the Electoral Code Project, which would replace the current laws regulating the organization and development of the elections in Romania. A mixed compensation system (system with proportional representation and personalized selection) was introduced, based on the uninominal ballot of a majority, with a single round, for the Senate as well as for the House of Commons. The reduction of the number of parliamentarians and the establishment of a Permanent Electoral Authority was also proposed. The Permanent Electoral Authority was well received; participants agreed that it was not only useful but also necessary. The debate on this subject included positive reactions and suggestions for improving its function. The second topic, changing the electoral system for the Romanian parliamentary elections, was disputed; participants associated it with other problems of the Romanian political class. This discussion brought up much debate about the current system, what changes could be implemented and the problems those changes might cause. There were two conclusions drawn from the public forum: electoral reform is necessary and should be made a priority and the Permanent Electoral Authority must be created. 32. Regional Exchange Visit of Serbian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Albania, 5-9 June 2003 Participants included Serbian and Albanian Parliamentarians and NGO representatives. During the exchange visit in Albania, the Serbian delegation attended meetings with the Chief of the Cabinet of the Speaker of the Albanian Assembly, Chairman of the Human Rights and Minority Committee, Minister of Economy, Deputy Minister of Environment, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Public Order, leaders from local government and Albanian NGO representatives. Topics discussed included the Albanian experience with human and minority rights, access to state information, the role of civil society in controlling the Government, relations between Parliament and civil society and regional parliamentary cooperation. The delegation also learned about the functioning, experiences, achievements and difficulties of some Albanian State Institutions. 33. Regional Exchange Visit of Bosnian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Croatia, 16-19 June 2003 Participants included representatives from the BIH and Croatian Parliament and NGOs. The BiH delegation participated in a meeting with Croatian NGO representatives about the level of cooperation achieved between parliament and civil society in both Croatia and BiH. The delegation also met with the BiH Ambassador in Croatia who provided a briefing on the current relations between BiH and Croatia focusing on the open questions in the relationship and how to continue improving relations. The delegation had the opportunity to attend a Parliamentary session before meeting with Croatian Parliamentarians, including the Chair of the House of Representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting focused on the cooperation established between parliament and civil society in these two neighbouring countries, possibilities for improving this communication, and on current issues between these two countries. 34. Croatian Public Forum “Towards greater tolerance: Reform of the Croatian education system,” 17 June 2003 Participants included Croatian and BIH Parliamentarians, Croatian and BIH NGO representatives, professors, educational experts, and journalists. Topics discussed during the forum included educational

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reform: the basics of state culture, relations between genders: against stereotypes and intolerance in teaching, how to achieve high-quality education for civil values and human rights, permanent education of teachers, and relations of schools and non-governmental organisations in the process of teaching: widening the authorized circle. The main NGO groups present included: Croatian Helsinki Committee, Croatian Legal Centre, Women Association, Centre for Peace Studies, Civic Committee for Human Rights, Serbian Democratic Forum, Committee for Civil Initiatives and Amnesty International Croatia. The Croatian educational system is very traditional and according to the NGO representatives present - full of cultural, national and historic prejudices. There have been previous attempts to change the system with little success. The forum provided the NGOs a chance to provide evidence to support their arguments; it was a starting point for their campaign to change the educational system. 35. Regional Exchange Visit of Bulgarian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Montenegro, 21-24 June 2003 Participants included Bulgarian and Montenegrin Parliamentarians and NGO representatives. The delegation had meetings with Montenegrin parliamentarians including the Deputy Speaker and Secretary. Due to the political situation in the Montenegrin Parliament at the time (opposition parties were in negotiations with the ruling DPS-SDP coalition about returning to parliamentary session), there were two separate meetings - one with the governmental parties (DPS and SDP) and the other with the opposition parties (SNP, SNS, NS). In both meetings the parliamentarians exchanged experience and views on a number of issues related to the work and legislative activity of their respective parliaments. The Bulgarian delegation visited the old Montenegrin capital of Cetinje and was given tours of the Old Royal Court, residence of Petar Petrovic Njegos II - "Biljarda" and the National Museum of Montenegro. The delegation also had the chance to meet the mayor of Podgorica; the mayor confirmed interest in establishing cooperation between Podgorica and Sofia. The delegation met with Montenegrin NGOs. The delegation was divided into two groups: the Parliamentarians visited "Group for Changes" and the NGO representatives were the guests of CEDEM. �Group for Changes" (GfC) is a newly established think-tank organization active in Montenegrin politics; the group met and discussed their relationship with the Montenegrin Parliament. The Bulgarian NGO representatives met with CEDEM and discussed CEDEM activities, the goals they hope to reach, and the situation in the Montenegrin civil sector. A leading Montenegrin expert on parliamentary practice and the director of a newly established Media Regulatory Agency of Montenegro joined the delegation for dinner. It should also be noted that Montenegrin media expressed a considerable interest in the Bulgarian delegation; there were television and radio reports as well as articles in all Montenegrin daily newspapers. 36. Regional Exchange Visit of Albanian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Serbia, 2-6 July 2003 Participants included Serbian and Albanian Parliamentarians and NGO representatives. Topics discussed included the division in Parliament between the ruling coalition and opposition and State � Civil Sector relationships. The delegation met with Serbian Parliamentarians including Bojan Pajtic, Democratic Party, President of Club of DOS MPs, President of Legislative Board in Serbian Assembly; Sinisa Mitrovic, Liberals of Serbia, Vise - president of Club of DOS MPs, President of Environmental Board in Serbian Assembly; Natasha Milojevic, Democratic Alternative; President of Reducing Poverty Board in Serbian Assembly; Nada Kolundjija, Democratic Alternative, President of Foreign Affairs Board in Serbian Assembly; and Vera Markovic, SDU. Discussions focused on the political situation in Serbia, the relationship between parliament and civil society, the impact of the Thessalonica Summit on the Western Balkans and the new Serbian Ombudsman Law. The delegation also met with the European Movement in Serbia and other Serbian NGOs, the NGOs� current activities and their relationship with the Serbian Parliament were discussed. The delegation went on to visit the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro. All MPs from the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro received the Albanian delegation. The delegation met with Radoje Prica; Borivoje Mijatovic; MIodrag Isakov, Vise president of Governement of Serbia; and Ljiljana Colic, MP, Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro. There the delegation discussed current topics of interest for both countries: free visa regime for the citizens of whole Western Balkan, free trade in the region, etc. The

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delegation had the opportunity to visit Oplenac, a famous Serbian Church where Serbian Royal family Karadjordjevic is buried and Arandjelovac known for its mineral springs and gardens. The delegation also had the opportunity to the meet the Serbian press and representatives from the Albanian Minority in Serbia and Montenegro. 37. Preparatory Trip to Albania for the Regional Working Meeting in September, 8-10 August 2003 Upon the request from our NGO partners in the region and following the regional exchange visits, the EWPPP decided to organise an additional regional meeting to discuss regional parliamentary cooperation in the framework of the program as well as produce recommendations for follow-up during the second stage. Participants at this meeting included one NGO representative and one Member of Parliament from each of the nine parliaments involved in the project. 38. Albanian Regional Roundtable Debate “Follow-up and continuation,” 5-7 September 2003 The L&C regional working meeting in Tirana had three main objectives: to conduct an overall evaluation and review of activities to date; to plan second phase activities, which included exchange visits and public forums; and to come up with suggestions for a follow-up to the L&C programme, which will end in June 2004. Participants included representatives of partner organizations and parliaments in all participating L&C countries. The first part of the agenda was devoted to country reports on activities to date and the planning of second phase activities. Fatimir Mediu, MP and Chair of the Committee on EU Integration and the Stability Pact of the Albania Parliament, opened the meeting. He noted that in the framework of the Stability Pact, following the conflict in Kosovo, the EWPPP had undertaken a series of important regional parliamentary initiatives. He remarked on how significant it was that MPs from post-conflict societies which appear to have irreconcilable differences and tensions are now taking part in roundtable discussions in the framework of the L&C programme. These discussions reinforce the conviction that regardless of their differences, MPs have a common duty to establish contemporary legislatures and increase the authority of the parliament in monitoring the government. The participation of civil society representatives in these discussions has increased parliament�s transparency. He singled out the invaluable regional exchange visits between Albania and Serbia as evidence of the success of the L&C programme. Prompted by their experiences within the L&C programme, a group of Albanian MPs took the initiative to organize a high level Balkan gathering, with representatives of the EU and the US, aimed at building friendships. He stressed that the L&C programme needs continuity and a concrete follow-up for 2005 and beyond, focusing on regional thematic exchanges. The fact that some countries within the region are further along in the EU integration process does not diminish the importance of regional cooperation and exchange of experience. He expressed support for the creation of a regional parliamentary assembly. 39. Regional Exchange Visit of Croatian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 16-19 September 2003 Participants included BIH and Croatian Parliamentarians and NGO representatives. The Croatian delegation met with the Speakers of the House of Representatives and House of People from the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Ambassador of Croatia in BIH who provided a short history of the relations between the two countries; the NGO representatives from BIH; and representatives from the BIH Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main topics discussed included: parliament-civil society relations and minority rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 40. Bosnian Public Forum “Law on the protection of national minorities’ rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” 17 September 2003 Participants included BIH and Croatian Parliamentarians and NGO representatives. The Forum was about the current Law on protection of rights of members of national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was adopted with great urgency and did not allow for amendments. The delegation reached the conclusion that the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH, House of Representatives and House of People would accept discussions on all initiatives from non-governmental organizations, including initiatives from national minority organizations in BIH for changes and amendments to the recently adopted law. There was evidence of a mutual willingness for compromise. The public forum was followed by all BIH television stations in as well as by representatives of all printed media. 41. Republic of Srpska Visit to the National Assembly, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 19-21 September 2003:

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Participants included members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Parliament of Federation BiH, National Assembly and Council of People of Republika Srpska and NGO representatives. This was the first joint visit of a Croat, Muslim, and Serb Parliamentary delegation to the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska invited NGO Centers for Civic Initiatives (CCI) to be a more active participant in the process of drafting new Local Self-Governance Law of Republika Srpska, together with other non-governmental organization involved in the regional project �Legislature and Citizens�. It was agreed that better cooperation was needed between NGOs in Republika Srpska and the Office for Legislation of the RS Government- especially participation of the representatives of NGOs in the work of Parliamentary Committees and in the Manual (Working procedures) of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska. 42. Romanian Public Forum “Financing of political parties and electoral campaigns,” 24 September 2003 Participants included Members of the Romanian Parliament, NGO representatives, and two election/party specialists. Topics discussed included the importance of disclosing party financing and the benefits of transparency, disclosure requirements and legislative needs regarding the financing of political parties, the Court of Account�s view regarding political party financing and monitoring electoral campaigns and legal frameworks and practice in law enforcement. The specialists included a representative from the International Foundation for Election Systems and from the European Party Rights and Party Research and Development Organization. 43. Serbian Public Forum “Comments on the Draft Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance,” 23 October 2003 Participants included Serbian Parliamentarians, representatives of the OSCE Mission in Serbia, representatives of the Council of Europe, Serbian NGO representatives and Serbian academics. In their opening remarks the speakers all welcomed the draft law on �Free Access to Information of Public Importance� as a benchmark in the development of a transparent democratic society. Among the participants an ample discussion was held about the meaning of the word �right� to access of public information. According to the Council of Europe �all information is public�, unless restrictions are made, for example, regarding the security of the state. Other topics raised included whether or not to allow oral requests for information, International research shows that the majority of requests are simple oral questions. Another issue was whether or not to provide special provisions for the media; this was rejected by the majority of foreign participants and representatives of the NGOs who stated that the Law is for everybody- requests from the media would put pressure on the officials to respond. Another point raised was the issue of paying for information; the discussion focused on the payment for information sent by (post) mail which could lead to unequal access to information for people not living in the capital- the principle adopted by those in attendance was not to ask for payment as long as the request is in the interest of the public. Discussion was held about the independence of the Ombudsman; the Ombudsman should be independent and impartial, neither residing at the Presidents� office nor in the Governmental venues. In the Serbian opinion such a position should be elaborated on in order to free the position from political influence. The chairman concluded that the list of exemptions should be narrowed, the Law is for all citizens, with no preference for NGOs and media; it is up to the questioner to decide on the way to put forward a request (oral, in writing); the position of the Ombudsman should be clearly defined: independent and impartial; the Government should be encouraged to rewrite the Constitution according to EU-standards; and the participants appealed to table the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance as soon as possible in the parliament. 44. Regional Exchange Visit of Macedonian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Romania, 30 November-4 December 2003 Participants included Macedonian MPs and NGO representatives and Romanian MPs and NGO representatives. The Macedonian delegation visited the Macedonian Embassy and was provided a summary of the history of the Macedonian-Romanian relationship from a political and economic perspective. The delegation went to the municipality of Brasov where they met with the Mayor and Local Councilors and discussed local government and minority issues. The delegation also visited the Romanian Senate where they met with the head of the Foreign Policy Committee and exchanged

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experiences. This meeting was followed by a visit to the Romanian Parliament where they had the opportunity to exchange views with members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group. The delegation had a meeting with NGO representatives where discussion focused on the involvement of MPs and citizens in drafting legislation and on the Romanian Law for free access to information. The Macedonian delegation also had the privilege of participating in the Military March on Romania�s national day. The exchange visit created greater regional awareness regarding similar and different challenges facing Romania and Macedonia in the development of parliamentary-civil society relations and it served as grounds for continuation of regional communication. Partisan cooperation was intensified as MP�s from different parties had the chance to openly discuss current issues. Cooperation between NGOs and Parliamentarians was also intensified due to the opportunity provided to discuss current issues. 45. Bulgarian Regional Exchange Visit of Montenegrin Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation, 1-4 December 2003 Participants included Montenegrin and Bulgarian Parliamentarians and NGO representatives. The Montenegrin delegation met with the Deputy Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament, Members of the Bulgarian Parliamentary Group for Friendship with the Parliaments of Serbia and Montenegro, Chair of the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, Chair of the Committee on Civil Society Affairs of the Bulgarian National Assembly, Bulgarian NGO representatives, Regional Governor of Plovdiv, and the Director of the Plovdiv International Fair. Topics discussed included Bulgaria�s future entry into the EU, the relationship between parliament and civil society, civil society�s role in draft legislation, NGO funding, the Bulgarian bill on lobbying, the media and its involvement with parliamentary proceedings, draft procedures, political party funding and Plovdiv regional government operations. 46. Montenegrin Feedback Meeting, “Parliament and Civil Sector in Transition,” 6-8 February 2004 Participants from the Montenegrin Parliament included: Ranko Krivokapic, Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, SDP president; Dragan Kujovic, MP, DPS, Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Rifat Rastoder, MP, SDP, Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Miodrag Vukovic, MP, DPS; Miodrag Ilickovic, MP, SDP, Vice President; Borislav Banovic, MP, SDP, president of MCC; Ferhat Dinosha, MP, DUA president, member of MCC; Mehmet Bardhi, MP, DS president; Dragan Koprivica, MP, SNP, spokesman, member of MCC; Neven Gosovic, MP, SNP; Goran Danilovic, MP, SNS, Vice President; Miodrag Zivkovic, MP, LSCG; Krsto Pavicevic, MP, GP, President; and Branislav Radulovic, SDP,C chief of Speaker�s Cabinet. Participants from Montenegrin Civil Society included: Professor Veselin Pavicevic, CEDEM; Professor Nebojsa Vucinic, Group for Changes; Nebojsa Medojevic, Group for Changes; Zlatko Vujovic, CEMI, Center for Elections Monitoring; Marko Canovic, CDT, Center for Democratic Transition; Ivana Gajevic, NDC, Nansen Dialogue Center in Montenegro; Stevo Muk, CRNVO, Center for the Development of NGOs, Nenad Koprivica, CEDEM, L&C Project Assistant; Jill Adler, EWPPP Director; and Aurela Isufi, EWPPP Head of Programmes. Experts included: Albert Koenders, Social Democratic Party Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Dutch Parliamentarian; Malcom Bruce, Member of the House of Commons; Radu Ghidau, Former Romanian Parliamentarian; Vladimir Podoprigora, Vice-governor of Novgorod region, Chairman of the Assembly of Parliamentarians; and David Skaggs, Former Member of the U.S. Congress. Topics discussed included: parliament and civil sector in transition and possibilities for participation of civil sector in legislative activities. 47. Bulgarian Public Forum, 23-25 February 2004 Participants from the Bulgarian Parliament included: Anelia Mingova, National Movement Simeon II; Borisslav Tzekov, Movement Simeon II; Emil Koshlukov, National Movement Simeon II ; Ivan N. Ivanov, Union of Democratic Forces; Marina Dikova, National Movement Simeon II, Mihail Mikov, Bulgarian Socialist Party; Tatyana Kalkanova, National Movement Simeon II; and Yanaki Stoilov, Bulgarian Socialist Party. Representatives from NGOs and academic institutions included: Diana Kovacheva, Open Society Foundation, Programme Director; Dimitar Sotirov, Bulgarian Media Coalition, Executive Director; Dotcho Mihaylov, A.S.A. Agency for Research and Surveys; Hristina Kovacheva, Foundation for Local Government Reform, Programme Director; Iva Taralezhkova, Balkan Assist Association, Programme Director; Ivaylo Fitkovski, National Association of Bulgarian Minucipalities, Legal Advisor; Lenko Lenkov, Executive Director Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation; Ivelin Nikolov, Institute for Social Integration, Executive Director; Luben Panov, Bulgarian Centre for Non-Profit Law, Director; Dr. Petya

Kabakchieva, New Bulgarian University; Slaveya Hristova, Balkan Assist Association, Executive Director; Svetlana Lomeva, Political Academy for SEE, Executive Director; Dr. Svetoslav Malinov, Sofia University �St. Kliment Ohridski�; and Prof. Todor Todorov, Sofia University �St. Kliment Ohridski�. Other participants included: Ivo Hristov, Chief Expert, Committee on Legal Affairs, National Assembly; Professor Evgeni Tanchev, Member of the Constitutional Court; Plamen Kirov, Advisor on Legal Matters of the President of Bulgaria; and Ralitza Negentzova, Judge, Sofia City Court. Amendments to the Draft law on referenda were discussed. The draft law was presented by Mr. Yanaki Stoilov, MP, who highlighted the main changes to be introduced for the existing law: two types of referenda - decisive and consultative; legislative initiative for referendum by a number of voters (600 000); broader circle of questions which can be subject to a referendum; level of the referenda - national and municipal. The discussion focused on these issues with opinions supporting the introduction of consultative referenda and referenda on the municipal level. Largely discussed was the high number of voters needed to promote a national referendum and the possibility to lower this number. As for the national referenda the discussion focused on the repercussions a national referendum can provoke regarding the constitutional balance of powers. Opinions were expressed that referenda is a democratic tool of governance, which should be very carefully used. The participants agreed that the debate was very useful for clarifying positions of the different political actors involved and contributed towards creating larger public support for the main ideas of the draft law. 48. Regional Exchange Visit of Romanian Parliamentary and Civil Society Delegation to Macedonia, 25-29 February 2004 Participants from the Romanian Parliament included: Radu F. Alexandru, Senator, National Liberal Party; Dorel Bahrin, Deputy, Social Democratic Party; Costica Canacheu, Deputy, Democratic Party; Mihaela Mandrea Muraru, Deputy, Social Democratic Party; Mona Musca, Deputy, National Liberal Party; Virgil Popescu, Deputy, Social Democratic Party; Sogor Csaba, Senator, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania; and Zsolt Szilagyi, Deputy, Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania. Participants from Romanian civil society included: Ramona Lupu, Media Monitoring Agency; Codru Vrabie, Transparency International Romania; Oana Calenciuc, Civic Society Development Foundation; Mircea Marian, Journalist, Adevarul; Costel Popa, Deputy Director, Asociatia Pro Democratia; and Andreea Sorescu, Program Coordinator, Asociatia Pro Democratia. Participants from the Macedonian Parliament included: Ljupco Jordanovski, President of the Parliament; Liljana Popovska, Vice President of the Parliament. Participants from the political parties represented in Parliament included: Jani Makraduli, coordinator of Social Democratic Alliannce of Macedonia; Andrej Zernovski, coordinator of Liberal Democratic Party; Koce Trajanovski, coordinator of VMRO � DPMNE; G�zim Ostreni, coordinator of Democratic Union for Integration; Stojan Andov, coordinator of Liberal Party; and Zamir Dika, coordinator of DPA. MPs from the Committee on the Political System and Interethnic Relations: Zoran Shapuric, President; Roza Topuzova � Karevska, VicePresident; Janake Vitanovski; Ivan Anastasovski; Nezdet Mustafa; Cvetle Janevska; Kire Gestakovski; Adnan Kahil; Ordanco Tasev; Koce Trajanovski; Nedim Memisovski; Iljaz Halimi; Ljupco Meskov. MPs from the Parliamentary Group of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia for Cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of Romania included: Cvetle Janevska, President; Zoran Zaev; Georgi Trendafilov; Ilija Srbinovski; Talat Dzaferi; Nelko Stojanovski; and Dzevdet Nasufi. Macedonian NGOs represented included: Transparency Macedonia and MCMS. Representatives from the Centre for Strategic Research and Documentation included: Hulija Hilmi - Project Manager; Zoran Bojarovski, Project Manager; and Natasha Kolekevska Georgievska, Project Manager. 49. Publications, evaluations and progress reports

2001 Report on the Launching Meeting in Vienna, 18 November 2001

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Newsletter- L & C Update on activities within Legislatures and Citizens (electronic mail) Spring 2002 3 reports on activities by the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Report on activities by the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, Montenegro Report on activities by the Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation Report on activities by the European Movement in Serbia 2002 Newsletter- L & C Update on activities within Legislatures and Citizens (electronic mail)- Summer 2002 and Winter 2002 Report on the Tirana Feedback Meeting, Albania, 22 February 2002 Report on the Podgorica Feedback Meeting, Montenegro, 1 March 2002 Report on the In-country Meeting in Pristina, Kosovo, 15-16 May 2002 Report on the Sarajevo Feedback Meeting, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 9-10 May 2002 Report on the Zagreb Feedback Meeting, Croatia, 11 June 2002 Report on the Sofia Feedback Meeting, Bulgaria, 20 July 2002 Report on the Follow-up feedback meeting to Pristina, Kosovo, 2-5 October 2002 Commentary paper by the ACHR, Tirana, Albania, September 2002 Commentary paper by the APD, Bucharest, Romania, October 2002 Commentary paper by the CHC for Human Rights, Zagreb, Croatia, October 2002 Commentary paper by the CCI, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, November 2002 Commentary paper by the CEDEM, Podgorica, Montenegro, November 2002 Commentary paper by the Emin, Belgrade, November 2002 Commentary paper by the FORUM, Skopje, Macedonia, November 2002 Commentary paper by the FDBF, Sofia, Bulgaria, November 2002 Report on Zagreb Roundtable Debate, Croatia, 10 October 2002 Report on Tirana Roundtable Debate, Albania, 25 October 2002 Report on Bucharest Roundtable Debate, Romania, 1 November 2002 Report on Varna Roundtable Debate, Bulgaria, 9 November 2002 Report on Belgrade Roundtable Debate, Serbia, 15 November 2002 Report on Sarajevo Roundtable Debate, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 26 November 2002 Report on the Mid-Term Regional Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria, 6-7 December 2002 2003 Newsletter- L & C Update on activities within Legislatures and Citizens (electronic mail) - Summer 2003 and Winter 2003 Handbook as the result of the country presentations during the mid-term regional conference, �Cooperation between Parliament and Civil Society,� with a narrative of best/worst practices in the region (see Annex) Report on the Roundtable Debate, �Law about the national minority rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina,� BiH, 14 April 2003 Report on the Public Forum, �Electoral reform in Romania,� Romania, 29 May 2003 Report on the Regional Exchange Visit, Serbian Delegation to Albania, 5-9 June 2003 Report on the Regional Exchange Visit, Bosnian Delegation to Croatia, 16-19 June 2003 Report on the Roundtable Debate, �Towards higher tolerance: reform of the Croatian educational system,� Croatia, 17 June 2003

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Report on the Regional Exchange Visit, Bulgarian Delegation to Montenegro, 21-24 June 2003 Report on the Public Forum, �Draft law on free access to information of public importance,� Serbia, 23 October 2003 Report on the Regional Exchange Visit, Macedonian Delegation to Romania, 30 November-4 December 2003 Report on the Regional Exchange Visit, Montenegrin Delegation to Bulgaria, 1-4 December 2003 Public information brochures in Croatia, Romania, Macedonia, Serbia

50. Opening of the L&C Regional Office in Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 May 2001 The EWPPP programme management and coordination regional office. 51. L&C website and internet reports The L&C website � www.ewppp.org/lc � presents detailed information on the progression of activities, the calendar of events, and the legislative feedback process in each country. The EWPPP has encouraged partners to put up short progress reports on L&C implementation on their websites and include links to the participating partner organisations.

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