Bregu: Parliamentary dialogue and cooperation are an inspiration for the continuous struggle for democracy

SARAJevo, (Patria) - At a time when politics is in a difficult state, parliamentary dialogue between the Western Balkans and the European Union on the future of the region is urgently needed. That is why I would propose to start an institutionalized dialogue, which the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is ready to assist with," said the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, at the opening of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Integration of the Stabilization and Association Process countries of Southeast Europe (COSAP) held today in Tirana.  

"The Regional Cooperation Council is pleased to contribute to this new dynamic with the support it provides to parliamentary dialogue and cooperation, which are an inspiration for the continuous struggle for democracy. Addressing the political, economic, social, cultural, and security challenges in our region is not solely the responsibility of governments. Parliamentary support for undertaken reforms is necessary to ensure that the needs and voices of citizens are heard, which is also a very important part of the Berlin Process, and 2020 should be decisive in defining the role that parliaments should have in this regard. COSAP is the most suitable forum for initiating this process and determining the methods of maintaining and the content of the aforementioned dialogue," Bregu stated.

As the chair of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Integration of the Stabilization and Association Process countries of Southeast Europe during the Albanian presidency, Bregu proposed to the forum in 2015 the creation of a parliamentary dimension within the Berlin Process.

"I remain convinced that the involvement of national parliaments in this process means improving and further strengthening the oversight role of parliaments and has the potential to contribute to strengthening political stability and improving regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. I am pleased that at the summit in Poznan last year, leaders recognized the importance of this proposal to include citizens and their representatives in the Berlin Process," Bregu concluded.

The conference was opened, along with Bregu, by the Speaker of the Parliament of Albania Gramoz RUČI, Chairwoman of the European Integration Committee of the Albanian Parliament Rudina Hajdari, Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania Luigi SORECA, and Co-Chair of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee Taulant BALLA.

The meeting, which brought together parliamentarians from the region, was jointly organized by the Regional Cooperation Council and the Parliament of Albania, which currently chairs the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Integration of the Stabilization and Association Process countries of Southeast Europe, and whose presidency will be taken over by Bosnia and Herzegovina starting tomorrow.