Committee Opinion | Doc. 14867 | 10 April 2019
Role and mission of the Parliamentary Assembly: main challenges for the future
Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 11.2, after the words “legal instruments should be” add “prioritised and”.
Explanatory note
In 2012-2013, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe carried out a comprehensive review of the Council of Europe conventions following which a series of measures was taken by the Committee of Ministers. Today the main objective would rather be to define on which conventions the Assembly could intensify its activities to compensate for the downsizing of intergovernmental co-operation due to budgetary restrictions.
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
Replace paragraph 14 by the following paragraph:
“Concerned by the consistency and effectiveness of the decisions and activities of the Council of Europe and aware of the importance of local democracy and the central role that local and regional powers play in relations with citizens, the Assembly decides to set in motion a reflection on mechanisms for periodical consultations and permanent co-operation between the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and their structures.”
Explanatory note
Article 2.2 of Statutory Resolution CM/Res(2015)9 relating to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe sets up a sound basis for co-operation between the Congress and the Assembly. Departing from the current wording is necessary to examine, prior to making a concrete proposal, if and how the exiting co-operation patterns have to be modified.
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 15.3, replace the words “within a fixed time-frame” by the following words:
“within three months which could be extended with another period of three months, up to six months in total, if specific circumstances require granting a State additional time to implement recommendations aimed at addressing the violation at stake;”
Explanatory note
It would be preferable to identify the time-frame to create additional guarantees that all parties are genuinely involved in addressing the violation concerned. The deadline of three months is the usual time-frame in relations between the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers when it comes, for instance, to giving replies to Assembly questions or recommendations or, for the Assembly, to deliver its opinion on a new draft Council of Europe treaty.
Amendment D (to the draft recommendation)
After paragraph 5.3, add the following paragraph:
“referring to its Recommendation 1999 (2012) on the follow-up by the Committee of Ministers to the work of the Parliamentary Assembly, reiterates the call it made to the chairs of the Committee of Ministers rapporteur groups and working parties to maintain regular working relations with the Assembly’s committee chairs, rapporteurs and general rapporteurs operating in the relevant areas. A steady practice of having an annual meeting between a general rapporteur and the relevant rapporteur group could be introduced”.
Explanatory note
Ministers’ Deputies are based in Strasbourg throughout the year and regularly meet within different rapporteurs’ groups and working parties. The representatives of the Assembly travel to Strasbourg a limited number of times per year. Having an exchange scheduled in advance would enable both parties to establish sustainable working relations and to set up an agenda in advance. For instance, a regular exchange between the Parliamentary Assembly General Rapporteur on the budget and intergovernmental programme and the Committee of Ministers’ Rapporteur Group on Programme, Budget et Administration (GR-PBA) would help to consider alternative ways of handling the current budgetary crisis.
Amendment E (to the draft recommendation)
In paragraph 5.4, replace the words “within a fixed time-frame” by the following words:
“within three months which could be extended with another period of three months, up to six months in total, if specific circumstances require granting a State additional time to implement recommendations aimed at addressing the violation at stake;”
Explanatory note
It would be preferable to identify the time-frame to create additional guarantees that all parties are genuinely involved in addressing the violation concerned. The deadline of three months is the usual time-frame in relations between the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers when it comes, for instance, to giving replies to Assembly questions or recommendations or, for the Assembly, to deliver its opinion on a new draft Council of Europe treaty.
Amendment F (to the draft recommendation)
After paragraph 5.4, add the following new paragraph:
“With respect to member States’ contributions, asks the Committee of Ministers to consult the Assembly by means of an ad hoc urgent procedure if and when a member State has not made its due contribution to the budget for a period in excess of six months;”
Explanatory note
According to Article 39 of the Statute, member States’ contributions to the Organisation’s budget must be paid to the Secretary General “not later than six months” after notification of the amount. Discussing the non-payment issue at an earlier stage would create an early-warning system and develop the synergy which is the proclaimed objective of the joint procedure foreseen.