DEPUTY SPEAKER TO ATTEND COUNCIL OF EUROPE FORUM IN BUCHAREST

DEPUTY SPEAKER TO ATTEND COUNCIL OF EUROPE FORUM IN BUCHAREST

The Hon Michael Bonnici, Deputy Speaker, shall be attending a Forum on "Decentralisation, Democracy and Stability" which the Council of Europe is organising in co-operation with the Government of Romania, in Bucharest, on 23-24 February 2000.

The Forum is intended to serve as a launching-pad for measures under the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. In accordance with the sponsorship role assigned to the Council of Europe in this field, its purpose is to define policy guidelines for the development of local democracy and transfrontier co-operation in South-Eastern Europe, with a view to the adoption of an overall plan of action. It will bring together ministers, parliamentarians, representatives of local and regional authorities, relevant international organisations and NGOs.

Since viable local government is an essential prerequisite for democratic consolidation in this region, it calls for the generous provision of know-how and experience from other parts of Europe and the democratic world. It is thought that a strong political presence at this Forum would give a clear signal of its determination to reinforce these efforts.

The Forum will be inaugurated by Mr Petre Roman, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania. A welcoming address will be delivered by Mr Ion Diaconescu, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament.

A draft plan of action for local democracy and stability in South-Eastern Europe will be presented by Mr Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

The Forum will be closed by Mr Vlad Rosca, Minister for Public Administration.

22.02.2000