► First Conference of Speakers of Parliament - Athens, 15-16 October 1997

Parliamentary cooperation and its institutional form were given a conceptual outline during the Greek Chairmanship-in-Office (1997 – 1998) when the First Conference of Speakers of Parliament in South East Europe was held. Then, for the first time, the concept of „regular meetings at the highest parliamentary level” took shape, with “meetings held on a rotation principle using the model of Speakers of Parliament meetings held by European Union Member States”. It was therefore proposed that the host country should at the same time hold the Chairmanship-in-Office and act as coordinator of South East European parliamentary cooperation. Creating a Working Group to include representatives and experts of each Parliament in South East Europe to work on the implementation of resolutions made at parliamentary summits was proposed. The Working Group was expected to discuss and reach an agreement on the issue of institutionalising the Parliamentary Assembly of South East European countries.

In this way, significant progress was achieved in parliamentary cooperation among South East European countries as, until then, it had mostly been based on bilateral relations such as Speaker's and friendship groups' visits. It was designed to be the most legitimate form of cooperation possible, in view of the fundamental role played by the parliaments in the political systems of countries participating in the process. There were also hopes that parliamentary mechanisms of cooperation would also involve civil organizations by including them in different formats of level and scope.


► Second Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of South East Europe, Skopje, 19-21 March 2001

After a four year break in the parliamentary cooperation on highest level, on initiative of the host country the next conference was held on 19-21 March 2001 in Skopje on the topic: “The parliamentary contribution to stability, economic growth, democracy and good-neighbourly relations in SEE”.

The Annex to the Skopje Declaration contained a detailed procedural mechanism for parliamentary cooperation between SEE countries. It also listed a specific proposal that Speakers of Parliaments during their annual meetings do not just limit themselves to political declarations to encourage parliamentary cooperation, but will also provide their assessment of the cooperation at governmental level, and the overall development of the Process. Another recommendation was that, at least once a year, dialogue and exchange of opinions and consultations should be held by parliamentary committees on priority issues. Also emphasised was the vital importance of coordination and cooperation among parliamentary delegations of SEE countries in PACE, OSCE, NATO, WEU, CEI, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other international parliamentary forums. Working relations between parliamentary committees and groups were to be actively developed on bilateral and multilateral basis.


► Third Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of South East Europe, Tirana, 5 March 2002

The Tirana Declaration is notable for the fact that, in addition to the above mentioned ideas and mechanisms, it also contained a proposal to establish a Parliamentary Assembly to enhance the active exchange of information and experience, strengthen cooperation, promote security and stability in the region, and step up the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The concepts and objectives of the meetings and the declarations signed at the SEE Parliamentary Summit in Skopje in 2001 and in Tirana of March 2002 were very similar, with the emphasis being mostly on cooperation in the field of economy, trade, fight against terrorism etc. Both declarations emphasised the   importance of the Stability Pact, but the focus was more on political issues. The desire for political dialogue was evident. Progress was noted in establishing a climate of mutual trust in the region. The declarations pay special attention to the need for stability and peace, and condemn intolerance, extremism and all forms of other activities that destabilize the region and Europe in general.


► Fourth Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Sarajevo, 27 March 2004

At the Sarajevo Conference /27 March 2004/, Speakers of Parliament  expressed their satisfaction with the reaffirmed European perspective for the Western Balkans at the Thessaloniki meeting of SEECP Heads of State and Government, which accelerated the process of stabilization and association.  Emphasis was placed on parliamentary cooperation among the countries and the exchange of experience to speed up the necessary reforms and transposition of the acquis. Parliaments were called upon to be more active at the national level in stepping up the process of European integration. Proposals were made for closer contact between parliaments as a way of improving cooperation and communication between them and for the first time the idea of more active participation of women in the work of parliaments and in inter-parliamentary cooperation was stressed. An initiative was launched for a greater number of joint projects, and the Stability Pact was again specifically mentioned as a process of improving cooperation among participant countries.


►  Fifth Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Athens, 17 March 2006

The fifth conference of Speakers of Parliament in the region took place on 17 March 2006 in Athens. The key topics discussed at the forum included: democratisation and development of civil society, promoting active regional cooperation and the European perspective of the countries in the region.

At this meeting,  participants unanimously agreed on the need to establish stability and security in the region, adhere to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of state borders in accordance with international law, and in particular with the United Nations Charter and the Final Act of Helsinki. In this context, the issue of the future status of Kosovo was raised, with participating countries uniting around the opinion that strengthening a democratic multi-ethnic society can be achieved through dialogue and compromise with assistance from the UN.

The meeting also underscored the vital significance of efficient measures to tackle crime, corruption, organised crime, extremism in all of its forms and manifestations, fanaticism, extreme nationalism, lack of tolerance and the violation of human rights and civil freedoms. The successful dealing with such problems would bring every country one step closer to meeting EU accession criteria, which is a priority in cooperation among countries in the region.


►  Sixth Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Zagreb, 16-17 April 2007

In June 2006, the SEECP presidency was taken over by Croatia. The objectives of the Stability Pact had, to a large extent, been achieved. The situation in the region was stable. The process of cooperation in SEE was irreversible. Numerous formats of cooperation in all priority areas were active. The idea of transforming the Stability Pact was beginning to take shape, especially in connection with the need to improve coordination between separate regional initiatives and formats. Such transformation was also becoming necessary due to the desire of SEE countries to take greater responsibility for the region's development in their own hands. The gradual process of institutionalisation and stronger coordination of cooperation started.

In Zagreb, the conference concluded that an entirely new role was now in place for South East European parliaments. Democratisation and European integration processes had entered a new phase. The European and Euro-Atlantic   perspective of the countries in „the new” South East Europe had been clearly outlined.

The meeting in the Croatian capital emphasised the new opportunities open to countries in the region for dialogue, tolerance and cooperation in political and public life. Further emphasis was given to the contribution of regional cooperation to democracy, political and social dialogue and tolerance, as well as in encouraging the protection of human rights and enhanced economic growth.

At the meeting in Zagreb, in order to ensure continuity in developing parliamentary cooperation at the change of the rotation presidency, the Troika was introduced /former, current and next president/. At the same meeting, Bulgaria was designated to host the Regional  Focal Point  for Parliamentary Co- operation in SE Europe / renamed in 2008 to Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation/.

The forum also welcomed the proposal for the establishment of a Regional Cooperation Council as a step to improve the coordination of activities of SEECP countries, the European Union and other international partners. The forum also noted the establishment of the Conference of the European Integration Parliamentary Committees of States participating to the Stabilisation of Association Process (COSAP) and welcomed the Republic of Moldova as a full member of SEECP.


► Seventh Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Sofia, 13- 15 April 2008

The Seventh Conference of SEECP Speakers of Parliaments was held on 13 - 15 April 2008 in Sofia and was dedicated to “Enhancing the Overarching Role of Interparliamentary Cooperation in South East Europe”. Participants in the forum united around the view that cooperation in the region had been brought to a new level after the phasing-out of the Stability Pact and its transformation into a Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and RSPC SEE. Participants in the Seventh Conference of SEECP Speakers of Parliament signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation.

The document aimed to ensure a stronger and accelerated cooperation between parliaments in the region.

The main goals outlined in the Memorandum were:
 

- coordinating the efforts of national parliaments in support to the RCC and SEECP,
- promoting further capacity building and institutional strengthening of South East Europe countries,
- promote exchange of information, and harmonisation of national laws with the acquis and international standards.

The meetings at different levels organised by the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office, with support from the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation, were expected to be a forum for dialogue and decisions on specific steps in implementation of common regional goals.


►  Eighth Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Antalya, 5-8 June 2010

The Eighth Conference of the SEECP Speakers of the Parliament was held in Antalya on 5-8 June 2010.

The title of the Conference was “Perspectives on establishing a Parliamentary Assembly”. The agenda of the Conference also included “Combating with the negative effects of World Economic Crisis on SEECP Member Countries” and “Cooperation of the SEECP Parliamentary Dimension with Parliamentary organisations and regional/international institutions”.

In Antalya the Speakers of SEECP Parliaments reaffirmed the engagement in making concerted efforts to promote all-round growth of good-neighbourly relations, friendship and cooperation based on international law and mutual interests, and to contribute more ambitiously to ensuring peace, stability, prosperity and development of the states and peoples in the region in light of the common European perspective.

They also underlined the importance of the regional ownership principle for the further stabilisation of the South East Europe and express their readiness to endorse regional cooperation and joint acts to contribute to assurance of sustainable regional stability and wealth of the region and on overcoming the negative impacts of the world economic crisis on SEECP countries.

In light with the proposal by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on establishing the SEECP Parliamentary Assembly, in their Final Declaration the Speakers of the SEECP Parliaments gave support on further institutionalisation of the SEECP Parliamentary Dimension.

The Declaration states:
 

“15. We welcome the initiative taken by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey as the CiO proposing to establish a Parliamentary Assembly of the SEECP Participating States.

16. We agree on establishing a Working Group with the aim to elaborate the guidelines and modalities for further development of SEECP Parliamentary dimension and leading to setting up a Parliamentary Assembly. The final outcome of the Working Group shall be presented at the forthcoming Conference of the SEECP Speakers of Parliament.

17. We will designate an MP and a substitute, together with the national coordinator to take part at the Working Group. In case of a bicameral system the designated representatives shall be one per Chamber. The first meeting of the Working Group will be held under the auspices of the SEECP CiO, the SEECP Troika and the SEECP Regional Secretariat in close cooperation with the RCC.”

The Conference upheld the activities of the RSPC SEE and its proposals for new and pragmatic forms of regional partnership using project-based and goal-oriented approach in various areas of cooperation, exchange of experience and best practices.


► Ninth Conference of the SEECP Speakers of Parliaments in Bečići, 13-15 June
 
Podgorica took over the Chairmanship-in-Office of the South East European Cooperation Process at the Istanbul Summit on 23 June 2010. In fulfilling its duties as CiO the Parliament in Podgorica organized two meetings of the newly established Working Group of the SEECP Parliamentary Dimension and the 9^th Conference of the SEECP Speakers of Parliament which took place in Bečići on 13-15 June 2011.

The main topic of the agenda of the 9^th Conference was dedicated to discussions on relations between Parliaments and Governments in the process of EU Integration – Strengthening the role and the capacities of the Parliament as a response to the framework set by the Lisbon Treaty. The agenda included presentation of the Report of the Working group of the SEECP PD in fulfilling the guidelines of the previous Speakers' Conference and adoption of a Final Declaration.

The Final Declaration of the 9^th Conference of SEECP Speakers of Parliament outlines that one of the main objectives of mutual cooperation in this framework must be the strong and unanimous endeavour for enlargement of EU and that SEECP is one of important networks and means for achieving political and economical stability in this part of Europe.

The Speakers of Parliament affirm the necessity of stronger proactive approach by the parliaments as regards all relevant areas, which should result in establishing various authentic regional initiatives and networks as close regional partners of the SEECP Parliamentary dimension.

As regards the deepening of parliamentary and overall cooperation, the Final declaration says:
 

" 15. We reiterate that the Memorandum of Understanding on Interparliamentary Cooperation in SEE, ratified by the Speakers of the Parliaments in Sofia, clearly determines institutional frameworks, forms and structures of parliamentary cooperation, such as the Annual Conference of the SEECP Parliaments, the Conference of the European Integration Parliamentary Committees of the States participating in the Stabilization and Association Process (COSAP), the Cetinje Parliamentary Forum, etc. We emphasize that the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation provides logistics support and that it is an important focal point and information centre regarding the SEECP parliamentary dimension;

16. We note that we have given new impetus to this process, in terms of  deepening parliamentary and overall cooperation within this region, by proposing guidelines and modalities for further development of SEECP Parliamentary dimension leading up to setting up a Parliamentary Assembly of SEECP;

17. We fully support the reinforcement of the work of SEECP Troika, having in mind the complexity of the issue of the institutionalization of the SEECP parliamentary cooperation and the necessity for a complete commitment in a long period of time and invite the next Chairmanship in Office to keep the continuity in the regular gathering of the Working Group in line with its mandate;

18. We call upon all the representatives of the SEECP participating states to contribute to outline a clear and achievable mission and vision of the new parliamentary institutional platform of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process taking into account the regional interests and priorities, in order to have the process of institutionalizations brought to an end."