Conclusions

Prospects for co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Russian Federation in strengthening civil society and in improving interaction between civil society and public authorities in the development of a democratic society

The Meeting was organized by Council of NGO’s under the Chairman of the State Duma of Russian Federation and the Council of Europe in cooperation with International Federation for Peace and Conciliation (IFPC), with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation

The importance of the Meeting was confirmed by high level of participation. The Council of Europe delegation was headed by Mr. Klaus Schumann, Director General of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe. The Meeting was attended by Mrs. Eleonora Mitrofanova, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vladimir Lukin, vice-Chairman of the State Duma of RF, first vice-chairwoman of the Council of NGO under the Chairman of the state Duma Tatiana Yarygina.

The Council of Europe delegation was received at the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of RF and Ministry of Foreign Affaires of RF

The Meeting was attended by 90 participants from 75 organizations

Participants discussed the role of NGOs in Russian society and their interaction with public authorities as well as NGOs’ role at European and international levels. Particular attention was given to NGO’s contribution to gender equality and to fighting poverty and promoting social cohesion. They also looked at the application of Council of Europe standards on the status of NGOs in Russia and at possibilities for enhancing participation of Russian NGOs in Council of Europe activities. The meeting provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange of information and experience on relations between public authorities and NGO’s in Russia and Europe and the current problems.

Russian participants informed on the existing practice of NGO’s participation in contemporary social and political activities in Russia and cooperation with foreign respective structures.

The participants welcomed the new perspectives offered by the Council of the NGO’s under the Chairman of the State Duma of Russian Federation for improvement of the interaction between the Civil Society and public authorities in development of the democratic society.

Participants agreed that the development of partnerships and solidarity among NGOs would help to strengthen the position of the civil society in the dialogue with the public authorities. To this end, Russian NGOs will intensify participation in the associative life at national and international levels and strengthen co-operation among themselves at sectorial levels and enhance cooperation with European NGO’s.

Participants called on the State Duma to ensure adoption of a legislation concerning NGOs or affecting their work in conformity with European standards, and in particular with the Council of Europe’s Fundamental Principles on the status of NGOs.

Participants drew attention to the importance of European Convention 124 on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-governmental Organisations.

Participants welcomed the Council of Europe’s commitment to strengthening a genuine civil society in its member States and the possibilities for Russian NGOs to participate in these programmes, in particular in the Democratic Leadership Programme, the Civil Society Initiatives and the Confidence-building Measures Programme.

Participants took note with interest of the creation of a participatory status for International NGO’s and of partnership arrangements between the Council of Europe and national NGOs. They explored possibilities for enhancing the participation of Russian-based NGOs in these institutionalised relations with the Council of Europe. Particular attention should be given to possible relations between Russian NGO’s and the Council of Europe’s thematic NGO groupings.

Participants felt a strong need for substantial initiatives supporting the development and sustainability of a genuine civil society in Russia and the strengthening of the dialogue and cooperation between NGO’s and public authorities. They encouraged the Council of Europe to look into possibilities of launching a multi-annual co-operation programme in different regions with civil society partners in Russia on questions such as:

· The improvement of the national legislation on NGO’s and its application;

· Putting into practice mechanisms for consultations and cooperation between the NGO’s and public authorities;

· The development of interaction between NGO’s, authorities and business for overcoming challenges facing society.