Parliaments discuss oversight role and independent institutions in OSCE-organized regional seminar in Tirana

TIRANA, 21 December 2010 - The oversight role of parliaments and their relationship with independent institutions was discussed at a two-day regional seminar organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania, other OSCE field operations in the region and the Albanian Assembly that ended today in Tirana.

Parliament staff from South-Eastern European countries in which OSCE field operations work to support parliaments took part in the seminar.

Participants from Albania, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina agreed that parliaments and independent institutions and agencies need to work closely together to develop oversight and accountability in governance.

Participants studied various standards and best practices from South-Eastern Europe and developed recommendations that focus on independent institutions' reports to parliaments, independence and quality in the appointment process for heads of independent bodies, as well as financial autonomy.

"The experiences of parliaments with a longer history of co-operation with independent bodies demonstrate that parliaments that share their work related to executive oversight with independent bodies perform their oversight function more effectively," said Frank Dalton, Head of the OSCE Presence's Rule of Law and Human Rights Department.

OSCE/ODIHR Democratic Governance Officer Ruben Diaz-Plaja added: "The high level of discussion and intense interaction shows that the platform for regional sharing of best practices in the field of parliamentary strengthening provided by the OSCE is useful. Future initiatives will build on the recommendations and findings of this seminar."

Marlind Myftiu, Secretary General of the Albanian Assembly, added: "Seminars such as this one help the Albanian Assembly deal successfully with challenges on the path of reforms and European integration."

The event followed a series of similar activities that the OSCE Presence in Albania organized for parliamentarians and administrative staff to strengthen capacity, promote best legislative practices and highlight the role of parliament in the European integration process.