Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Setting up civil society organisations networks in the Black Sea region
Date: 2008-07-09
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: Black Sea, ESC opinion, civil society, crime, energy policy, environmental policy, governance, transport policy

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Opinion of

the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Setting up civil society

organisations networks in the Black Sea region’

(2009/C 27/29)

By letter of 15 July 2007, Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Member of the European Commission for External
Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, asked the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up an exploratory opinion on

Setting up civil society organisations networks in the Black Sea region.

The Section for External Relations, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the
subject, adopted its opinion on 12 June 2008. The rapporteur was Mr Manoliu and the co-rapporteur was
Mr Mitov.

At its 446th plenary session, held on 9-10 July 2008 (meeting of 9 July), the European Economic and
Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 143 votes to 1 with 4 abstentions.

1. Conclusions and recommendations

1.1
Black Sea Synergy is designed to focus political attention
on the region and to capitalise on the new opportunities gained
from Romania's and Bulgaria's membership of the EU. Black Sea
Synergy concentrates on five issues: good governance, transport,
energy, environment, and the fight against cross-border crime.

1.2
The Black Sea Synergy should also contribute to the
promotion of the European social model, and the principle of
social and civil dialogue. It should also address poverty reduc-
tion in the Black Sea region in cooperation with relevant inter-
national organisations.

1.6
The EESC promotes establishment and strengthening of
the role of national ESCs and Tripartite Commissions in all
Black Sea countries, and development of regional cooperation
among tripartite structures in the region. In countries without
national ESCs, social partners should be encouraged to engage
in the consultation process and creation of national ESCs.

1.7
The EESC encourages the carrying out of a comprehen-
sive research on the situation of the civil society and social part-
ners in the countries of the Black Sea region.

1.8
The EESC and the ILO will organise a joint conference in
November 2008 on the Role of Civil Society Organisations in
the countries of the Black Sea Region: Regional network crea-
tion and promoting social dialogue. The conference will involve
regional stakeholders and will be the follow-up of the explora-
tory opinion.

to involve civil

The EESC calls on the Black Sea governments, regional
1.3
and international organisations
society in
regional dialogue and cooperation and to offer a fresh perspec-
topics, such as sustaining political stability,
tive on major
democracy, rule of
law, human rights and fundamental free-
doms; promotion of economic reforms, development, and trade;
cooperation in the field of transport, energy and the environ-
ment; and people-to-people contacts.

2. Introduction

1.4
In the EESC's view there are significant opportunities and
challenges in the Black Sea region that require coordinated
action at the regional level involving civil society, especially in
key sectors such as energy, transport, environment, movement
and security.

for External Relations

2.1
The Committee is pleased to respond to the request from
and
the European Commissioner
European Neighbourhood Policy, Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner, to
draw up an exploratory opinion on Black Sea Synergy. The
Commission is particularly interested in an assessment on how
civil society organisations (CSOs) can be better involved in the
implementation of the Communication from the Commission
to the Council and the European Parliament on ‘Black Sea
Synergy — A new Regional
Initiative’
COM(2007) 160 final.

Cooperation

1.5
The EESC welcomes the different private and public
initiatives that have been set up to support active participation
of the civil society and social organisations in the shaping of the
future of the region. In particular, the EESC supports involving
existing cooperation networks for civil society and social organi-
sations in the Black Sea Forum for Partnership and Dialogue
(BS Forum) and Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Coop-
eration (BSEC).

2.2
The EESC welcomes the first joint meeting of the Foreign
Ministers of the 27 EU Member States with their colleagues
from the Black Sea region countries on 14 February 2008 in
Kiev. The EESC's participation as an observer in this meeting
was an important step for the implementation of the Black Sea
Regional cooperation strategy.

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2.3 Integrated development in the Black Sea region

zone of stability, prosperity and cooperation shared with all its
new neighbours-to-be.

The Black Sea region (1) is a geographical area rich in
2.3.1
natural resources and strategically located at the junction of
Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. More than ever
before, the prosperity, stability and security of the European
Union's neighbours around the Black Sea (2) are of immediate
concern and strategic importance to the EU. The Black Sea
region is
development potential
approaching 200 million inhabitants, a hub for energy and
transport flows, an area of confluence of different cultures and
also unsettled conflicts.

a market with great

Three EU policies are relevant

2.3.2
the
pre-accession process in the case of Turkey, the European Neigh-
bourhood policy with five eastern ENP partners (Ukraine,
Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) also being
active in Black Sea cooperation and the strategic partnership
with the Russian Federation based on four Common Spaces.

in this context:

The EESC backs the Commission's contribution to a
2.3.3
whole range of sectoral initiatives of regional relevance: human
rights and individual freedoms; the rule of law, cooperation on
justice, freedom and security; trade and economic integration
and regulatory convergence; transport, maritime policy, energy;
social
information society;
environment;
policy and equal opportunities; human capital, education; and
public health.

employment,

the

In the EESC's view there are significant opportunities
2.3.4
and challenges in the Black Sea region that require coordinated
action at the regional level especially key sectors such as energy,
transport, environment, movement and security.

The EESC considers that

2.3.5
the existence of different
formats, approaches and policies of the Black Sea regional orga-
nisations and cooperation initiatives underline the extent to
which cooperation in development and management of syner-
gies can be defined in the Black Sea area. An overview of
existing
initiatives,
programmes and policy analysis centres is available in the
appendices.

organisations,

cooperation

regional

2.4 The EU's goals in the Black Sea region

Over the past 15 years, the European Union has devel-
2.4.1
oped major efforts concerning the Black Sea region to stimulate
to support economic reforms and social
democratic efforts,
development,
sustain regional
and
cooperation.

to protect

stability,

The EESC considers

2.4.3
the Black Sea regional
approach should be targeted and used neither to provide an
alternative to EU membership nor to define the final frontiers of
the EU.

that

3. Characteristics of Black Sea

region civil

society

organisations

3.1
The historical, political and socio-economic background
in the ten countries of the Black Sea Area and consequently also
the conditions for civil societies differ considerably. During the
Soviet period the ‘social actors’ or ‘professional cooperation’
were reduced by the ruling party regime to simple ‘transmission
belts’. This can be seen as a common regional pattern for the
Black Sea area, except for Turkey and Greece. Since the early
1990s, all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have
been rapidly engaging in a political and economic transition
with important consequences also for the civil societies.

3.2
The EESC advocates supporting strengthened cooperation
between the EU and the Black Sea region countries based on a
shared understanding of common values,
free-
doms, commitment to open society, and dialogue based on
independence of civil society partners.

fundamental

The EESC considers the following main reasons for the
3.3
slow development of the CSOs in the Black Sea region: weak-
ness of the judiciary system and its dependence on govern-
ments, in most cases the judiciary system protects the interests
of the authorities against citizens; absence of a balanced distri-
bution of authority and responsibility between central and local
authorities; the tightening punitive and fiscal functions of the
governments; manipulation of officials through corruption and
bribery; the transforming of civil rights and liberties into ficti-
tious notions;
to information;
limitation on public access
governments maintaining a fake dialogue with selected represen-
tatives of
legal and
economic conditions to support real free civil society organisa-
tions; CSOs are based on international or corporate financial
sponsorship; the weak development of a democratic culture.

the so-called civil society;

the lack of

The EESC suggests that deeper EU involvement should
2.4.2
complement bilateral efforts,
invigorate regional cooperation,
ensure greater coherence and political guidance and focus poli-
tical attention at the regional level, which will foster the desired

(1) The Black Sea region includes Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Republic
of Moldova in the West, Ukraine and Russia in the north, Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the east and Turkey in the south. Though
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Moldova and Greece are not littoral
states, history, proximity and close ties make them natural regional
actors.

(2) With the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, the Black Sea

has become a European sea.

3.4
There is a need to undertake a comprehensive and
comparative study on the situation of the civil society organisa-
tions in the Black Sea region. This study has to cover the chal-
lenges defined by the current situation in the region, focus on
the present opportunities
society organisations
for
including the role of a regional network and analyse the emer-
ging initiatives for organised civil society at the regional and
European level. The study should also analyse the freedom of
associations, the registration and fiscal rules and procedures,
freedom of expression, functioning of tripartite consultations.

civil

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4. Networks of civil society organisations in the Black Sea

— Greece — Economic and Social Committee;

region

4.1
The EESC points out that it is the responsibility of the
civil society and social organisations to decide on the way they
organise themselves at national, regional and international level.

— Romania — Economic and Social Council — CES;

— Russia — Public Chamber;

— Ukraine — National Tripartite Social and Economic Council.

The EESC backs the Commission's approach not

4.2
to
create a new regional structure for civil society organisations
and encourages development of a civil society dimension in
existing networks, as well as participation of civil society organi-
sations in regional and trans-national networks.

5.2
The EESC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Russian Public Chamber. It is also planned to reinforce
cooperation with the Ukrainian National Tripartite Social and
Economic Council. Russia also has a tripartite commission,
which the EESC should be able to involve in a dialogue.

regional

The EESC recommends that the civil society and social
4.3
organisation networks established at
level develop
closer ties with the Organisation of the Black Sea Cooperation
(BSEC), which is the platform for economic cooperation in the
region and the most developed intergovernmental organisation
in the Black Sea region. The EESC considers that it would be
beneficial
to include an effective partnership with the civil
society organisations as a key dimension of the BSEC's political
orientations and activities.

4.4
The EESC considers that the BS Forum could become a
platform for open dialogue among the governments and
organised civil society, based on its experience of bringing
together NGOs from the region and facilitating governmental —
non-governmental interaction. The Forum was set up by several
Heads of States of various countries of the Black Sea in 2006. It
does not intend to establish a permanent structure and would
not duplicate the activities of the existing cooperation mechan-
isms in the region.

4.5
The EESC suggests that the civil society networks should
have the following priority areas of cooperation: defining
common interests, formulating medium and long-term strategies
to address civil society capacity-building, fostering greater syner-
gies among civil society organisations to create preconditions
for
regional cooperation projects, assessing
existing instruments, evaluating national and regional capacities,
identifying critical requirements, and preparing for the future in
a pro-active manner.

the success of

The established organised civil society and social organi-
4.6
sations networks should be open to the participation of every
interested civil society organisation in the Black Sea region.

5. Economic and Social Councils in the Black Sea region

5.1
The EESC cooperates with three national Economic and
Social Councils and two similar bodies from the Black Sea
region (see Appendix II for a detailed description), that are also
active in the International Association of Economic and Social
Councils (AICESIS) framework:

5.3
The EESC cooperates with Turkey through the Joint
Consultative Committee. The EESC supports the reform of the
existing Economic and Social Council in Turkey in order that it
has a well-defined institutional body and can participate in the
international networks of the ESCs.

5.4
There is the National Commission for Consultation and
Collective Bargaining in Republic of Moldova, a tripartite body
established on the basis of the law on collective bargaining. The
Commission is chaired by the First Vice-Prime Minister and the
secretariat support is provided by the Ministry of Economy and
Trade which also deals with labour issues. An Economic and
Social Council
the EESC
currently does not have cooperation with these bodies.

is also emerging in Georgia but

In countries without national ESCs,

5.5
social partners
should be encouraged to engage in the consultation process and
creation of national ESCs.

5.6
Strengthening cooperation at the regional level and inter-
national cooperation between the EESC and the ESCs of the
Black Sea region should be promoted. In the long term perspec-
tive, the EESC could contribute to the creation of a network
among the existing and emerging Economic and Social Coun-
cils, as well as other tripartite structures in the region.

6. Involvement of civil society in shaping national, regional

and international policies

6.1
Developing civil society offers a fresh perspective on
major topics, the EESC therefore calls on Black Sea govern-
ments, regional and international organisations to involve civil
society in more efficient participation in regional dialogue. In
the EESC's view the following four areas should receive primary
attention in dialogue and cooperation:

— Sustaining political stability, democracy, rule of law, human

rights and fundamental freedoms

— Promotion of economic reforms, development, and trade

— Cooperation in the field of

transport, energy and the

environment

— Bulgaria — Economic and Social Council;

— People-to-people contacts.

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6.2 Sustaining political

stability, democracy,

rule of

law, human

rights and fundamental freedoms

The EESC approach encourages the Commission to
6.2.1
the Black Sea Synergy and the European
make full use of
Instrument
for Democracy and Human Rights to promote
cross-border and regional cooperation among the civil society
organisations. The EESC underlines the significance of intercul-
tural dialogue aimed at conflict settlement, creating an area of
sustainable democracy, rule of
law, and good governance at
local and regional levels.

6.2.2
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,
including the respect of independence of the social partners and
the civil society organisations, and the freedom of press should
be at the core of the EU's external policy in bilateral relations
and in the regional approach.

6.2.3
Black Sea Synergy should also contribute to the
promotion of, the European social Model, the principle of social
and civil dialogue. It should also address poverty reduction in
the Black Sea region in cooperation with relevant international
organisations, in particular, the World Bank and the ILO.

6.3 Promotion of economic reforms, development, and trade

6.3.1
The Black Sea area has experienced significant political,
institutional, macroeconomic and regulatory reforms in the last
decade. There are significant differences between the economies
of the countries in the region in terms of availability of factors
of production, natural resources, production capacities, and
market size. Countries of the Black Sea region have different
levels of development, stage of
implementation of reforms,
degree of economic and social balance, and capacity to respond
to the basic needs of their citizens. Countries in the region have
to deal with the informal economy, corruption, migration and
poverty.

6.3.2
The countries in the Black Sea region experience a high
dynamism in the private sector. This is a major determinant as
to the competitiveness of
the economy and its long-term
growth potential. Support for small and medium-sized enter-
prises should be encouraged to contribute to the development
of economic and social balance.

6.3.4
The EESC underlines the need to improve the invest-
ment climate, to promote market economy reforms, encourage
liberalisation measures
in accordance with
and supports,
WTO principles, the creation of a free trade area in the Black
Sea region. The impact of technological innovation could open
up new fields for international cooperation, external investment
and the development of services.

6.4 Cooperation in the field of transport, energy and the environment

6.4.1
The EESC considers the Black Sea region to be a geopo-
litically and strategically important area as a production and
transmission region for diversification of the energy supply for
the EU. The EESC is in favour of encouraging diversity of supply
— further strengthening support for the definition and creation
of new, viable and secure, infrastructure and transport corridors,
suppliers and routes.

6.4.2
Rising oil and gas prices, the EU's increasing depen-
dency on a few external suppliers and global warming are also
concerns for the countries in the Black Sea region. The EU has
initiated a debate on the need for a European Energy Policy to
assure sustainable development, competitiveness and security of
supply (3). The EESC is aware that the economic and social
balances in the countries of the region can be highly affected by
the rise of energy prices.

6.4.3
New supplies route such as the trans-Caspian/trans-
Black Sea energy corridor (4) and the Nabucco pipeline (5)
(a pipeline project which will span 3400 kilometres and bring
31 billion cubic tones of natural gas per year) as well as the
INOGATE and TRACECA projects should constitute an adequate
framework for creating a competitive energy market. Russia has
initiated creation of the South Stream a pipeline running from
Russia under the Black Sea via the Balkans and Central Europe,
and the Nord Stream, a pipeline in the Baltic Sea.

industries, and support

regarding potential new energy

6.4.4
The EESC emphasises that efficient implementation of
corridors
foreign policy
supplying oil and gas from the Black Sea and Caspian Sea
regions should be founded on support for Azerbaijan to achieve
real independence as an energy supplier, helping to develop its
for Georgia,
national oil and gas
Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine as key factors to
provide new energy transit corridors to the European space. It
should be taken into account that Russia is also an interested
actor in this process. The EESC suggests that full support should
be given to the European companies involved in Eastern Europe
and Central Asia in oil and gas development and in pipeline
construction. The EU should also aim to reinforce the role of
Turkey as a stability factor in the region

6.3.3
In the EESC's view the long-term economic sustain-
ability of the Black Sea region is directly linked with the envir-
onmental situation, growing negative externalities, social respon-
sibility issues,
for common social standards and a
growing sense of eco-responsibility. The EESC emphasises the
importance of strengthening social, educational and cultural
services available to all citizens in order to combat poverty and
inequality.

respect

(3) The European Council of 8-9 March 2007 endorsed an Energy Policy
for Europe. Subsequently a two-year Action Plan (2007-2009) was
developed.

(4) The corridor includes projects that have already been carried out like the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline as well as energy infrastructure which
are currently under consideration or preparation like the Brody-Odessa
pipeline and the extension to Plock, the Constanta-Omisalj-Trieste, the
Burgas-Vlore and the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipelines.

(5) The project has been plagued by logistical delays, disputes over finan-

cing and a lack of political will.

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6.4.5
The EESC considers that the development of energy-
saving policies in the Black Sea region should be included as key
priorities in the EU's cooperation and technical assistance
programmes. Energy related programmes should contribute to
energy saving, reduction of costs and decreasing pollution.

6.5 People-to-people contacts

the financial

The EESC welcomes the coming Cross Border Coopera-
6.5.1
tion (CBC) programme for the Black Sea Basin in the framework
of
the European Neighbourhood
Policy (ENPI 2007-2013) and underlines the importance of
promoting people-to-people contacts in particular among the
young generations in the Black Sea countries.

instrument of

The EESC is

6.5.2
strengthening
in favour of
the cooperation to build mutual awareness and encourage
and promoting
economic,

contacts

cultural

further

social

and

Brussels, 9 July 2008.

people-to-people exchanges as a way of consolidating durable
growth, prosperity, stability and security in the Black Sea region.

The EESC emphases the necessity for effective imple-
6.5.3
mentation of visa facilitations and readmission agreements that
would facilitate educational and youth exchanges, business-to-
business contacts, mobility of researchers as part of increasing
and local
research cooperation,
authorities, NGOs and cultural groups.

among regional

contacts

6.5.4
People-to-people contacts can promote cooperation in
the field of education, training and research underlining the
importance of enhancing intercultural dialogue via available
EU programmes (6). Business-to-business contacts and coopera-
tion between employers' organisations
should be actively
encouraged to establish closer links and to transfer experience
and standards for activities.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS

(6) Tempus, Erasmus Mundus, Seventh Research Framework Programme,

CBC programme for the Black Sea Basin.

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APPENDIX I

OVERVIEW OF REGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE BLACK SEA AREA

1. Organisations are divided into four categories,

indicating the participating countries and aims of the regional

cooperation:

1.1 The first category — institutionalised organisations with a well-defined structure

— Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation — BSEC (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria,
Georgia, Greece, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine; 13 observers, including the EU
and USA)
implements multilateral political and economic initiatives aimed at fostering interaction among
Member States.

— Organisation of the Black Sea Commission — BS Commission (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey,
and Ukraine) aims at protection of the Black Sea against pollution, and implementation of the Bucharest Conven-
tion and the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan.

— Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development — GUAM (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of
Moldova, and Ukraine) aims at creating a Euro-Asian Trans-Caucasus transport corridor and a common space of
integration and security in the GUAM region.

— Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group — BLACKSEAFOR (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey,
and Ukraine) contributes to strengthening mutual confidence and stability in the region through enhanced
co-operation and interoperability among the naval forces.

— Commonwealth of

Independent States — CIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) Turkmenistan is an associate
member. The CIS endeavours to create a common economic space based on the principles of free movement of
goods, services, workers, and capital.

— Union of Black Sea and Caspian Confederation of Enterprises — UBCCE (representatives of private sector
industrial and employers' organisations from Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Georgia, Greece, Iran, Kazakhstan, FYR Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey) aims at favouring adoption of
policies conductive to the better functioning of a market economy and fostering development of a competitive
environment that encourages sustainable growth in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions.

1.2 The second category — forums without a formal decision-making structure

— The Black Sea Forum for Partnership and Dialogue (1) — BS Forum (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Greece, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine) is a platform for cooperation and commitment to
the development of a new regional strategy and a common vision.

— EU-Neighbourhood-East Parliamentary Assembly (EURO-NEST). The European Parliament decided in
November 2007 to create a joint multilateral forum of the EP with the Parliaments of Ukraine, Republic of
Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as pro-democracy observers from Belarus.

— Community of Democratic Choice — CDC (Members: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia, FYR Macedonia,
Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine; participants: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, the Czech
Republic, Hungary and Poland; observers: USA, EU, Council of Europe and OSCE) aims at reaching higher stan-
dards of sustainable development by strengthening regional cooperation, promoting democracy and protecting
human rights.

— The Black Sea NGO Network — BSNN (an association of 60 NGOs from Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia,
Turkey and Ukraine) is a CSO aiming at the protection of the environment, the promotion of democratic values,
and sustainable development in the region.

— The Baku Initiative (2) — (partners: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,

Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan; observer: Russia; EU representatives:
DG Transport and Energy, DG External Relations, EuropeAid Cooperation Office) aims at the progressive integra-
tion of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region energy markets with the EU markets.

(1) The Forum is a Romanian initiative.
(2) Related to the INOGATE Cooperation Programme.

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1.3 The third category — programmes developed mainly by the EU

— Interstate Oil and Gas Transport to Europe — (INOGATE) (Bulgaria, Georgia, Republic of Moldova,
Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, and 15 other countries) is an international co-operation programme promoting the
regional integration of the pipeline systems and facilitating the transport of oil and gas.

— Transport Corridor Europe — Caucasus — Asia (TRACECA) (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Republic of Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan)
aims at improving trade and transport along the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Corridor.

— The Danube Black Sea Task Force — DABLAS (Bulgaria, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia,
Turkey, Ukraine and nine other countries, as well as the International Commission for the Protection of the
Danube River (ICPDR) Secretariat, the Black Sea Commission, the International Financing Institutions and the
European Commission) aims at coordinating actions between all financial instruments operating in the region.
Civil society is involved in the various tasks carried out by the DABLAS Task Force.

1.4 The fourth category — analysis and funding of policy initiatives

— The German Marshall Fund — The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) (operates in Bulgaria,
Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine) is a public-private partnership aiming at
rebuilding trust and strengthening public institutions, affirming the value of citizen participation in the demo-
cratic process, and fostering regional and cross-border ties in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

— The International Centre for Black Sea Studies — ICBSS (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Greece, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine) ICBSS is an independent research and
training centre pursuing applied, policy-orientated research, to build capacity and promote knowledge on the
Black Sea region. It is a related body of the BSEC.

— Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) is a non-profit organisation that implements an initiative ‘Civil Society
Participation in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) — A Regional Approach to Conflict Resolution’. This
initiative aims at creating a regional partnership network of four leading NGOs/think tanks from Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Republic of Moldova to promote civil society dialogue with the respective governments.

APPENDIX II

EESC'S COOPERATION WITH THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCILS IN THE BLACK SEA REGION

Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria was established by a law ‘On the Economic and Social Council’ in 2001. The
Council is a consultative body and consists of a Chairman and 36 members appointed by managing bodies of the repre-
sentative organisations on the national level: 12 members from the employers; 12 members from employees and workers;
and 12 members from other organised groups that include also two independent academics appointed by the Council of
Ministers. It adopts statements on laws, national programmes, national plans, and acts of the National Assembly. The
Council issues annual memorandums on economic and social development, as well as analyses economic and social
policies.

Economic and Social Committee (OKE) of Greece was established by Law 2232/1994. It is tripartite organisation of
the represented interests: employers, employees and various interests group composed of farmers, representatives of inde-
pendent professions, local governments and consumers. The OKE consists of a President and 48 Members, who form
three Groups with an equal number of members. The aim of the OKE is the promotion of social dialogue through the
formation of common positions on issues concerning society as a whole or its particular groups.

Economic and Social Council (CES) of Romania is defined by the Constitution of Romania (revised in 2003) as a
consultative body of the Parliament and the Government in areas established by the Law on the CES organisation and
functioning. The CES is comprised of 45 members appointed as follows: 15 members as representatives of the employers'
confederation at national level; 15 members as representatives of the trade unions' confederation at national level; and
15 members appointed by the Government. The CES has an advisory function to develop strategies and economic and
social policies, and it acts as a mediator in case of disputes between social partners.

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Public Chamber of the Russian Federation was created on the basis of Federal Law No 32 of 4 April, 2005. The
Chamber consists of 126 members: 42 members appointed by the President of Russia who in their turn elect 42 other
members from the nationally active civil society organisations, and then all 84 choose the remaining 42 from the list of
the regionally active civil societies. The members work in 18 commissions as well as in the form of working groups with
participation of outside experts. The Chamber comments on drafts of new legislation, reviews existing laws and publishes
its own reports.

National Tripartite Social and Economic Council (NTSEC) of Ukraine was created on the basis of a Presidential
Decree in 2005 and acts as an advisory body to the President of the Republic. The NTSEC consists of 66 members:
22 members from the representatives of various professions and professional associations, 22 representatives of the
employers and 22 representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine at the level of Deputy Minister. The NTSEC is
supported by the ILO to develop civil and social dialogue at national level.

The EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee is composed of 18 members from the EESC and 18 members repre-
senting organised civil society in Turkey. It meets twice a year (once in Brussels and once in Turkey) to discuss different
topics of mutual interest which are relevant for civil society. The main purpose is to ensure the involvement of organised
civil society in the accession negotiation process: follow-up of the different chapters opened, to analyse the economic and
social consequences of the implementation of the Community acquis, meet with EU and Turkish authorities and make
recommendations.