CONFERENCE ON INTEGRATION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN EUROPE

Skopje, June 7- 8, 2010

The Conference on the Integration of the National Minorities in Europe entitled as “Strengthening the Cohesion of European Societies: Effective Participation of Persons Belonging to National Minorities in the Decision – Making Process” was held on June 7-8 in Skopje.

The introductory note at the Conference was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Milošoski, who, in his capacity of Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, spoke of the importance of the Framework Convention on National Minorities to the protection of this significant category of human rights in the European context. “The issue of national minorities is recognized and reflected in the priorities of the Macedonian Chairmanship, with a focus on ensuring the social integration and the wide participation of persons belonging to communities in the decision-making processes” – stated Minister Milošoski during the Conference.

The conference provided the participants with a possibility to produce an overview, as well as provide an assessment of the current situation with the protection of the rights of national minorities in the CoE member states. At the same time, the conference made its contribution in the launching of a constructive debate on specific issues related to the implementation of FCNM in the CoE member states and the signatories to the Convention. The discussions produced an overview of the current situation in the member states, as well as an analysis of specific aspects of the Thematic Commentary of 2008 and the work, as well as the role of the FCNM Advisory Committee in the process of providing assistance to the member states aimed at an efficient fulfilment of their obligations. Furthermore, the participants at the conference emphasized the need for intensifying the efforts within the CoE for the purpose of getting the member states which have not yet signed or ratified the Convention to do so in the foreseeable future, etc. In addition, the participants also adopted specific conclusions on the future courses of action within the CoE aimed at a more efficient and as comprehensive as possible implementation of the provisions contained in the FCNM and the other key documents regulating the issue of enhancing the inclusion of persons belonging to national minorities into the European societies.

Two separate workshops under the titles of “Creating Conditions for Increasing the Efficiency in the Participation in the Political and Public Life in the Future: What Needs to Be Done in Order to Strengthen the Cohesion of our Societies, while Simultaneously Respecting Diversities” and “Synergies and Comparative Advantages of the Activities of the Council of Europe, the OSCE/HCNM, the EU, and the UN which Contribute to a Better Integration of the Minorities in the Decision-Making Process”.

The event was attended by around 120 representatives of a number of CoE member states, of the CoE bodies (the Parliamentary Assembly, the Secretariat, the President of the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention on National Minorities etc), the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as by representatives of several national ministries and institutions relevant to the issue of protecting and promoting the rights of the communities. It was also attended by renowned European experts working in the field of minority rights, as well as by representatives of international and domestic non-governmental organizations.

At the Conference margins, MFA Milošoski had a bilateral meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek at which Mr. Milošoski and Mr. Vollebaek discussed the thus-far cooperation with the Office of the HCNM as well as the implementation of the Strategy/Concept Document for integrated education which was promoted last October.