Brussels to host Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum will gather in Brussels on November 16-17 under the auspices of the European Commission, the EU Presidency and the European Economic and Social Committee.



During the Forum, as suggested in the Concept Paper, thematic working groups could be establish reflecting the priorities of the multilateral track of the EaP, i.e.: 1. Democracy, good governance and stability; 2. Economic integration and convergence with EU policies; 3. Environment, climate change & energy security; 4. Contacts between people.



The final decision on the structure of the Forum will depend on participants themselves.



Civil society and non-governmental organizations play a crucial role, within their societies, in providing policy input, following new initiatives and in holding governments accountable. They can be active actors in promoting democratic and market-oriented reforms based on shared values, i.e. respect for democracy and human rights, the rule of law, good governance, principles of market economy and sustainable development. These are also the values and objectives of the European Neighborhood Policy, including the newly created Eastern Partnership.



In its Communication of December 2008 the Commission proposed "to support the further development of Civil Society Organizations" (CSOs) and, in particular, "to establish an Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (CSF) to promote contacts among CSOs and facilitate their dialogue with public authorities".