Forum for the Future of Democracy 2011

‘The Interdependence of Democracy and Social Cohesion’

Closing session

Dr Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus

It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to make this closing address at the 2011 Forum for the Future of Democracy of the Council of Europe, and honored to have co-hosted, along with my colleague the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance and the Council of Europe, this important event in Cyprus. During the last two days representatives of governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities, as well as civil society, took part in a lively debate on strengthening democracy, political freedoms and citizen participation in member states of the Council of Europe.

I am also pleased that senior representatives and experts from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region participated in the forum. Cyprus, a member of the Council of Europe and future President of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2012, is fully committed in engaging the countries of our southern neighborhood, which are currently undergoing monumental changes on their way toward democratic transformation.

Enjoying very close historical and cultural ties with its Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern neighbors allows Cyprus to serve as a conduit between them, the Council of Europe and European Union institutions.

The development of the Southern Dimension of the European Neighborhood policy will be one of the priorities of our EU Presidency during the second half of 2012. We are ready to contribute toward the closer cooperation and coordination between the EU and the Council of Europe with a view to common action and concrete programs vis-a-vis our neighbouring states. The Progress Report on the Implementation of the Council of Europe policy toward its immediate neighborhood, issued by the Secretariat last September, provides a good basis for advancing this discussion.

In view of the tremendous challenges faced by our governments and institutions, the correlation between social cohesion and democracy is more pertinent than ever before. The current financial and economic crisis aggravates already existing problems, such as territorial conflicts, terrorism, environmental degradation, illegal immigration, xenophobia and intolerance. These pressures threaten the social fabric of societies and erode the trust of the citizens towards their elected representatives.

The correlation between democracy and social cohesion should be fully explored, since one presupposes another. The attainment of social justice, the fight against poverty and marginalization are necessary conditions for the development of the democratic process. This is a process that cannot remain static to the demands of our times and the genuine needs of the people with particular emphasis on young people. A stable democratic environment requires the active participation of the citizens in the democratic process. In addition to personal security, citizens must be given a sense of ownership in the democratic process and it must be matched by the growing accountability of elected leaders. In this respect, the core values of the Council of Europe, human rights, democracy and the rule of law are the steady compass towards social cohesion and ultimately the well-being of the citizen body.

President Christofias stressed yesterday that the democratic process can only take place in a secure environment, both within and between states. Strict observance by States, of the norms and principles of international law, and the avoidance of any form of provocative behavior, along with the exercise of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, will positively impact the development of the democratic process. Moreover, it will also prove beneficial economically, as the necessary conditions for economic development will be created. We are hopeful that Cyprus and its neighbors could become a model for such transformation.

Finally, I would like to thank our co-organizers, the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance of Cyprus and the Council of Europe for the excellent cooperation in the organization of the Forum. I hope that this has not just been a successful event but that participants, apart from having two days of intensive discussions, had also the chance to enjoy some of the beauties of our island.

We look forward to the discussion and further elaboration of the Forum conclusions and recommendations in future meetings of the Council of Europe on this important topic of Democracy and Social Cohesion.