Day two of the Conference of the European Integration Parliamentary Committees of the States participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process (COSAP) was marked by the exchange of opinions on the topics relating to practice and challenges in the energy field and cooperation of states through IPA programme.

Mr Šefkija Murić, member of the Committee on European Integration, spoke on the said topics on behalf of the Parliament of Montenegro, emphasising that the field of IPA programmes was very complex, not only due to the fact that it involved drafting of multiannual plans and strategic documents, but also demanded a great work which required capacities in human and technical sense. He added that it was necessary to work on development of clear awareness on complexity and duration of the process, emphasising that each next stage in the process of joining the EU carried with itself the obligation of stronger control and audit of spending the IPA funds, but also harmonisation of projects with state’s priorities in the accession process.

When it comes to regional cooperation within the energy field, the participants emphasises the importance of parliaments, not only through adoption of laws, action plans and strategic documents with the aim of harmonisation with the EU acquis, but also in the context of control mechanism in terms of following implementation of policies and actions aimed at improving efficiency of the relevant institutions’ work, through the election of members of the competent bodies.

The Joint Statement was adopted at the meeting, wherein the participant, inter alia, expresses confidence that existence of the consensus on the continuation of the EU enlargement opened a path towards strengthening of democracy, respect of human rights and sustainable development of the regional countries. Decisively turned to perspective of the EU membership, members of COSAP agreed on the need for implementing the necessary reforms, aimed at improving the quality of citizens’ life.

Within the closing remarks, Chairperson of the Committee on European Integration Mr Slaven Radunović, inter alia, emphasised that the sense of regional cooperation were not the requests by the European Union, but that strengthening of interstate cooperation was equally necessary for the states themselves and their citizens as the democratisation of society. With regard to that, the key is regional cooperation which leads to overall integration of the region in economic, security and political sense, Mr Radulović concluded.  

Albania assumed the presidency of COSAP initiative, so the XI COSAP meeting is expected to be organised in Tirana.

On behalf of the Committee on European Integration the following participated in the X COSAP meeting – Chairperson of the Committee Mr Slaven Radunović and members Mr Šefkija Murić and Mr Predrag Sekulić.