Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group

- Draft Annual Report 2018 - (8th Legislature) Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group

- Annual Report 2018 -

CONTENTS

I. Introduction

II. Election observation activities

III. Parliamentary capacity building in third countries

IV. Pre-accession activities

V. Sakharov Prize Network and human rights action

VI. Mediation and dialogue

VII. International events and conferences on democracy

Annexes

1. Members of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG)

2. Lead members on DEG priority countries/regions

3. Organigramme of the Directorate for Democracy Support in 2018

4. Implementation of the 2018 work programme as endorsed by DEG

- 2 - I. Introduction

The year 2018 marked the final full year of the activities of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) during the eighth legislature of the European Parliament. The following report details these wide ranging activities, encompassing all areas covered under the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach (CDSA)

Election observation activities

There were twelve election observation missions in 2018 - eight in the regions covered by European Union Election Observation Missions (El Salvador, Sierra Leone, Paraguay, Lebanon, Tunisia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Madagascar) and four in the OSCE region (Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia and Armenia). As usual they were all fully integrated into the long-term observation missions and worked successfully alongside other international election monitoring organisations.

The DEG took a number of steps to further improve and streamline the work of election observation. In September 2018 it adopted a joint Code of Conduct for International Election Observation that had been promoted by the EP and prepared by the four assemblies observing in the framework of ODIHR-led missions. This document had been largely inspired by the EP’s own internal Code. In December 2018, DEG adopted a text which codified the procedures to be followed in cases of individual unofficial election observation by MEPs. Finally, as a wrap up not only to DEG’s 2018 activities, but to its work during the entire mandate, in December there was the adoption of a revised text on the “Democracy Support and Election Observation Group and Implementing Provisions Governing Election Observation Delegations”. This updated the previous Provisions which had been in place since 2012. The new version reflects the expanded range of activities taking place under the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach (CDSA) and details the procedures to be followed for the authorisation by the Conference of Presidents of all democracy support activities.

In October a high-level conference took place on the future of international election observation. This conference was jointly organised by DEG and the EEAS and addressed the main challenges confronting election observation and the integrity of democratic elections, coming up with a number of conclusions and recommendations to be taken forward by the EU institutions. The event was opened by President Tajani with HR/VP Mogherini as one of the closing speakers. Over 400 participants were present, including former heads of government, MEPs and national parliamentarians, as well as representatives of international organisations.

Parliamentary capacity building in third countries

Democracy support activities were carried out with seven priority countries (Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia, Peru and Nigeria) and one priority regional parliament (the Pan-African Parliament) - in addition to one priority region (the Western Balkans and Turkey) - detailed below. These countries have been reconfirmed as priorities until the end of the legislature. These democracy support activities covered incoming study visits and Democracy Fellows, as well as “outgoing” capacity building events such as seminars and conferences. Myanmar and Tanzania, which had originally been priority countries, were put on hold in view of the unfavourable political situation.

- 3 - As well as the high-level conference on the future of election observation mentioned above, DEG also organised a number of other significant large-scale events - often in partnership with other EP bodies, EU institutions or other organisations. These included the International Day of Democracy in September which was aimed at the democracy support community and focussed on the theme of “EU Leadership for Democracy”. Other events included a DROI hearing in June on enhancing human rights via democracy support and a conference in October, co-organised with the UNDP, entitled “Sustaining Peace through Elections”.

Pre-accession activities

In 2018 the Pre Accession Actions Unit (PAAC) gave a new dimension to its cooperation with Western Balkan parliaments in developing synergies with EU national parliaments involved with the region. This took the form of two co-organised events, one with the Chamber of Deputies in the Czech parliament, the other with the National Assembly of Bulgaria. Furthermore, PAAC took the initiative to exchange information on respective programmes and activities with all interested national parliaments of EU Member states, thus paving the way for future joint endeavours.

Building on the success of the first Round Table on the European Integration Process of the Western Balkans in November 2017, PAAC organised a new edition in cooperation with AFET as well as five regional conferences open to the civil society and the media, which brought together MEPs and MPs from the EU enlargement countries.

Sakharov Prize Network and human rights action

DEG continued to develop the human rights component of its democracy support activities this year. Activities included input for capacity building for parliamentarians from Montenegro and the Gambia to raise human rights awareness and to help mainstream human rights into legislation. DEG further refined its conceptual approach to focus human rights action on civil society as a vector of human rights. Under this approach, human rights defenders, women and media are primary target groups for capacity building, networking, and promoting dialogue between civil society representatives, parliaments and authorities.

DEG continued to rely on the Sakharov Prize Network to bolster awareness raising on human rights and promote EP human rights work. Continuous support was provided to Sakharov Prize laureates, including via silent diplomacy. Regular monitoring of their situations made it possible to react in time to emergencies, with specific action taken for the release of Salih Osman, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Lorent Saleh, and Oyub Titiev. Participation of numerous Members, including the President, Vice Presidents, AFET, DEVE and DROI Chairs, highlighted strong political ownership and contributed to high visibility of such action.

In early June, Parliament gathered 19 Sakharov Prize laureates and their representatives in Brussels to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sakharov Prize. DEG also contributed to the Human Rights Week (19-22 November) through an exhibition illustrating the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and a conference on civil liberties and gender equality in CDSA priority countries Morocco and Tunisia. The Sakharov week in Strasbourg in December saw the solemn awarding of the Prize to imprisoned Ukrainian film-maker Oleg Sentsov and full programmes for the representatives of the laureate and finalists. Wide media coverage accompanied this flagship event.

- 4 - The Sakharov Fellowship programme for human rights defenders successfully completed its third edition. The growing pool of Sakharov fellows is increasingly involved in DEG democracy support efforts and thus complements the activities of the Sakharov Prize Network. DEG human rights action also included communicating via EP liaison offices in Member States, where well-attended events with Members and laureates in EU capitals raised visibility and awareness on EP human rights work and the Sakharov Prize. Major promotion tools continued to be the Sakharov Prize 30th anniversary photo book “They defend our freedoms” featuring the stories of four Sakharov fellows and the related exhibition.

Mediation and dialogue

The growing political interest and recognised added-value in complementing other DEG’s democracy support activities, led to a continuous development of the wide-range of parliamentary mediation and dialogue activities, including inter-party dialogue and consensus building, prevention of election-related violence, parliamentary support to conflict prevention and peace processes as well as the EP Young Political Leaders Programme.

Prominent examples of such activities carried out in 2018 include the case of Ukraine (where the Parliament, in parallel to its full array of democracy support and capacity building activities, continued the implementation of the now well-established concept of Jean Monnet Dialogues); the extension of the concept to the western Balkans where, following the successful mediation by Commissioner Hahn and three Members of the European Parliament, a Jean Monnet Dialogue was established in the Macedonian Sobranie; a new regional parliamentary dialogue initiative in support of the parliaments of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia; the development of a new methodology focusing on pre-election violence prevention as a complementary soft tool to the EU Election Observation Missions (used for the first time in Kenya), as well as deepening activities in the extended EU’s Neighbourhood and Western Balkans under the Young Political Leaders Programme, including the use of the introduction of the new Policy Lab design tool.

The EP Mediation and Dialogue Support Unit continued to build upon the above-mentioned innovative concepts and methodology and responding to an increasing demand for support in the area of parliamentary mediation, facilitation of dialogue and conflict prevention.

David McAllister Linda McAvan

- 5 - II. Election observation activities

In 2018, the EP sent twelve delegations to observe elections: eight in the framework of European Union Election Observation Missions (EU EOMs): i.e. El Salvador, Sierra Leone, Paraguay, Lebanon, Tunisia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, and four in the framework of OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Missions (IEOMs): i.e. Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia and Armenia. In all cases they were, in line with standard practice, fully integrated into the long-term observation missions and worked successfully alongside other international election monitoring organisations. Full details are set out below.

In addition to the intensive level of election observation activity, the DEG took a number of steps to further improve and streamline the work of election observation. In September 2018 DEG adopted a joint Code of Conduct for International Election Observation that had been promoted by the EP and prepared by the four assemblies observing in the framework of ODIHR-led missions (i.e. the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. This document had been largely inspired by the EP’s own internal Code.

In December 2018 DEG adopted a revised text on the Implementing Provisions Governing Election Observation Delegations. This updated the previous (and outdated) Provisions which had been in place since 2012 and the new version now reflects the expanded range of activities taking part under the Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach (CDSA) and details the procedures to be followed for the authorisation of all democracy support activities by the Conference of Presidents. In December 2018 DEG also adopted a document which codified the procedures to be followed in cases of individual unofficial election observation by MEPs.

 General elections - El Salvador, 4 March 2018

A five strong EP delegation, from five political groups and five countries, chaired by Javier LOPEZ (S&D, Spain), observed the general elections which took place in El Salvador on 4 March. The EP delegation was integrated within the framework of the EU EOM which was led by Chief EU Observer Carlos IRURGAIZ (EPP, Spain).

Prior to the elections, meetings took place with leaders of most of the main political parties, including the ruling Frente Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, ARENA and (the usual kingmaker) GANA. Most stakeholders in this context admitted that the voting system was overly complex – with some of them asking whether this complexity was deliberate. Further meetings took place with representatives of civil society and other international observers, including the Organisation of American States. On election day, the EP Delegation split into three teams, observing electoral proceedings from opening to closing and counting in San Salvador, Cuscatlan and Ahuachapan.

The EP Delegation found the elections were generally well organised, despite the very complex system (proportional plus cross party preferential voting). The political parties accepted the preliminary results – including the ruling party, which quickly conceded and notified this in writing to the EP Delegation. The 4 March 2018 elections thus marked a

- 6 - significantly improved process when compared to the 2015 elections, when the proclamation of results had been delayed for weeks.

Furthermore, and despite El Salvador’s reputation for widespread insecurity, there was no political violence on Election Day. The EU EOM noted that the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (Electoral Commission) demonstrated its ability to deliver well-organised elections despite changes to the electoral system and budget constraints, and with procedures broadly followed. On the other hand, while all parties accepted the results, there were a number of weaknesses – in particular as the company in charge of the preliminary counting of preferential votes was not able to credibly deliver on time. This created initial uncertainty about which candidates were most likely to be elected.

The final results saw the victory of right-wing ARENA which won 35 seats in the 84-strong National Assembly, while the Farabundo Marti Front came second with 18 seats. Thus, for the first time since the 1992 peace accords which ended the civil war, one of the sides now finds itself without a blocking minority in the House.

During the final press conference held on 6 March, Mr Lopez paid particular tribute to the maturity of Salvadoran political parties, praising the work of the Tribuna Suprema Electoral, but also underlined a number of weaknesses which could be corrected (including electoral system complexity; delays in opening of the polling stations; updating the voting rolls; training of polling officers), especially with a view to the presidential elections to be held in 2019.

 Presidential and general Elections - Sierra Leone 7 March 2018

A six-member EP delegation, led by Neena GILL (S&D, UK), observed the presidential, parliamentary and local council elections in Sierra Leone that took place on 7 March 2018. The EU sent a long term observation mission headed by Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK) into which the EP delegation was integrated. These elections were a milestone in the consolidation of democracy in the country, following a quarter of a century marked by civil war, Ebola and other humanitarian crises.

The EP delegation met leaders or representatives of most of the main political parties, including Mr Maada Bio, the presidential candidate of the leading opposition party, the Sierra Leone People's Party. Meetings also took place with the heads of the National Electoral Commission, civil society, domestic and international observers, and the media. The Head of the EP Delegation met the President H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma. Many interlocutors spoke of their strong commitment to building a democratic society that was free from corruption. Talks also indicated that there was broad support for a strengthening of the EU-Sierra Leone relationship.

On Election Day, the EP delegation split into three teams, observing in the city of Freetown, the Freetown peninsula and the Bo region in the south.

MEPs noted that the elections were competitive and that the public was able to vote in a generally peaceful atmosphere. There was a large turnout of citizens and a significant involvement of civil society in the observation of voting. Most polling station officials performed effectively. However, the positive role played by women as voters and in polling stations was not matched by their participation in the political process where their - 7 - representation was low. There were isolated incidents of violence and intimidation and long- standing divisions in the country based on tribal allegiances. The official prohibition of travel by private vehicles on Election Day led to confusion and problems for some citizens in travelling to polling stations. There were also instances of the use of state resources to the benefit of the governing party. MEPs commented critically on the activities of party agents who appeared to be interfering with the process in some polling centres. At the press conference, the Head of the EP delegation raised these issues and underlined the commitment of the European Parliament to Sierra Leone.

No presidential candidate reached the 55% threshold required for victory in the first round and a second round of voting between the first two candidates therefore took place on 31 March. It was not possible for the EP delegation to observe but the EU EOM remained in place. In the second round opposition leader Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won 51.8% of the vote, defeating Samura Kamara of the ruling All People’s Congress.

 Presidential Elections - Montenegro 15 April 2018

A six-member EP delegation, chaired by Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFDD, Italy) observed the presidential elections that took place on 15 April in Montenegro. The EP team formed part of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission (IEOM), along with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The EP delegation held meetings with leaders or representatives of most of the main presidential candidates. They also met the Head of the State Election Commission, representatives from civil society involved in election observation, the media, and the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption. In addition, there were meetings with Foreign Minister, Srdjan Darmanović and Speaker of the Parliament, Ivan Brajović. Discussion covered both the elections (the EP side underlined that the contest represented a "screen shot" of the state of democracy in Montenegro) and also Montenegro's European aspirations (the EP side stressed that enlargement should be merit based). The Montenegrin side emphasised that membership of NATO - and (in due course) the EU - were a confirmation of Montenegro's values and independence.

On Election Day the EP delegation split into three teams, observing in and around Podgorica, the coastal area near Kotor, and the mountainous region to the north of the capital around Kolašin and Berane. Proceedings took place in an orderly manner and voting and counting were assessed positively in almost all polling stations observed.

The overall assessment of elections by the IEOM was that "fundamental freedoms (were) respected (although the) governing party had (an) institutional advantage". Candidates were able to campaign freely and the media gave them a platform to present their views. The legal framework provided a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections and recent amendments (albeit generally more technical) signalled a broad willingness by the authorities to engage in electoral reform.

However, MEPs were particularly concerned about the lack of financial autonomy of the media, and the consequent polarisation of reporting. They were also unhappy that the State Election Commission did not display sufficient transparency in its workings by failing to publish its decisions and minutes and not opening its sessions to the media. There remained a number of omissions and ambiguities in the legal framework, notably the lack of regulations

- 8 - on verification of signatures supporting candidates and sanctions for violations. Other issues of concern were dispute resolution procedures, tabulation of results, and campaign finance. The ongoing boycott of the Montenegro Parliament by many opposition MPs had resulted in the failure to enact a number of important and urgently needed electoral reforms, which need a two-thirds majority.

The presence of the MEPs provided an opportunity for the EP delegation to urge the political forces in Montenegro to move away from the current polarised political climate in which some opposition parties were boycotting the Parliament. This boycott had impacted on the EP's ongoing parliamentary cooperation with the Montenegrin Parliament. MEPs underlined the importance of constructive dialogue and cooperation in Montenegro – which is crucial to maintaining its position as a "front-runner" candidate country.

Former President and Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, candidate of the governing DPS-led coalition won the elections with 53.9% of the vote and there was therefore no need for a run- off. He stated that his victory was "a confirmation of the (country's) determination to continue on the EU integration path" and that he expected the end of the integration process to be concluded during his five-year mandate.

 General and Presidential elections - Paraguay, 22 April 2018

Six MEPs from four political groups and three countries, led by M. José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SANCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP, Spain), constituted the EP Electoral Observation Delegation which was fully integrated in the EU-EOM led by Chief EU Observer Renate WEBER (ALDE, Romania).

The EP delegation met the two main presidential candidates, Mario Abdo Benitez (ANR – Colorado) and Efrain Alegre (Alianza GANAR); exchanges of views also took place with former President (and current President of the Senate) Fernando Lugo, with Minister of External Relations Elladio Loizaga and with the Presiding Magistrate of the Tribunal Superior de Justicia Electoral (TSJE or Electoral Commission). Members also met representatives from civil society, EU Member States HoMs, and were extensively briefed by the EU EOM Core Team. The Chair of the EP delegation also met with the Organisation of American States which had deployed an international observation team led by former Costa- Rican President Laura Chinchilla.

On Election Day, the EP delegation split into three teams, observing from opening to closing in and around the capital city Asuncion, Ciudad del Este, and in the Central and Cordillera districts. Preliminary results for the Presidential Elections, released in the evening of the same day, indicated that the ANR-Colorado candidate Mario Abdo Benitez (46,44%) would win with a four points lead over his main rival from the GANAR Alliance, Efrain Alegre (42,74%). As the President’s election required only a simple majority, this meant that no second round would be foreseen – but the difference was much smaller than expected, an element which underlined the unreliability surrounding the exit-polls practice in the country, some of which had foreseen a win by a 20-point lead for M. Benitez.

The overall assessment of elections found that voting procedures had “ensured the integrity and transparency of the process”, but “in a context of institutional fragility, weakness of political structures and judicial inertia”. While the TSJE was considered to be politicised, this did not hinder its ability to administer the electoral process efficiently and to take key - 9 - decisions in a balanced way. Candidates were able to campaign without restrictions, and, for the first time, a law regulating political financing was applicable (even though not fully implemented in a satisfactory manner). Long standing practices such as corralones –i.e. the manipulation of indigenous populations in order to facilitate vote-buying - were not observed to the extent that they were in 2013.

On the other hand, the electoral legal framework was assessed to be ambiguous and contradictory, superseding constitutional provisions, and resulting in legal uncertainty. The root cause seemed to be a politicised judiciary, subject to political pressure and control; electoral appeals were not addressed by the Supreme Court in a timely manner ("judicial inertia"), which bred uncertainty on fundamental issues such as the eligibility of former Presidents and the composition of the civic boards (juntas civicas) which were part of the electoral process.

• Lebanon- Parliamentary Elections - 6 May 2018

A seven-member EP delegation, led by José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SANCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP, Spain), observed the parliamentary elections in Lebanon on 6 May 2018. These elections took place almost one decade after the previous elections in 2009. The country introduced a new electoral law in 2017 and many recommendations that were made under the 2009 EOM were taken into account, such as the introduction of a new proportional system, the fact that Lebanese voters living abroad could vote in their country of residence combined with improvements in the secrecy of the ballot. The elections were well conducted, in a calm and consensual atmosphere, despite a lower turnout than in 2009.

Prior to Election Day, meetings were held with the representatives of the main political parties. The EP delegation met President Aoun (Free Patriotic Movement), Prime Minister, Saad Hariri (Future Movement), the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Mr Nouhad Machnouk (Future Movement), the Secretary General of the Lebanese Forces, Chantal Sarkis, the Vice President of the Kataeb Party, Dr Salim Sayegh, the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Mr Walid Joumblatt and the Head of Hezbollah International Office, Ammar Moussawi.

On Election Day, the EP delegation split into three teams, observing from the opening to the closing of polling stations in the capital Beirut, northern Lebanon (Batroun, Jbeil, Amshit and Beirut) and Chouf and Aley. The three observation teams confirmed that the voting process was peaceful, efficient and transparent. Although lawful campaign activities are permitted, they were sometimes conducted too close to the polling stations. Additional efforts should be considered to facilitate access for the elderly or those with reduced mobility, which was not satisfactory in many polling stations.

The EP delegation underlined that the representation of the women, particularly in the Parliament, was too low and that their crucial role in the political sphere should be strengthened. In addition, it would be desirable in the future to guarantee the transparency of campaign financing through an electoral framework that avoids conflicts of interest and allows fair access to the media. The conclusions and recommendations of the EU EOM (led by Chief Observer, Elena VALENCIANO, S&D, Spain) were presented two months later in the mission’s final report.

 Tunisia - Local Elections - 6 May 2018

- 10 - The EP delegation, chaired by M. Santiago FISAS AYXELA (EPP, Spain) and composed of six MEPs from five political groups, was integrated in the EU EOM led by the Chief Observer Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFDD, Italy).

The local elections were the first since the 2011 uprising (Arab Spring) and the subsequent regime change: in this regard, they closed the first democratic electoral cycle of the new regime, following the elections of the representatives to the Constituent Assembly in 2011 and the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014. Nevertheless, these elections had been postponed and rescheduled several times, due to conflicting views of the main political parties.

Although the EU does not generally observe local elections, the DEG considered that a fully- fledged EOM should be deployed in Tunisia, which is a priority country for EP democracy support, a crucial partner for the EU in the region, and a country that has delivered on its commitments to democratisation since 2011.

A few days before the elections, the Tunisian parliament succeeded in adopting the long- awaited and indispensable Code of Local Municipalities, which would allow the newly elected local authorities to carry out their duties after 6 May.

The EP delegation highlighted some main conclusions during the joint press conference and in its final report: - role of youth, women and persons with disabilities: very progressive provisions were introduced in the electoral code regarding these categories of citizens; - the election management bodies followed a very strict and sometimes incoherent interpretation of the existing provisions, which led to the cancellation of several lists; - turn out: abstention was unfortunately very high, especially among young people (less than 25% of 18 to 21 year olds registered for the vote) - this was possibly as a consequence of the steps taken by the election management bodies which are outlined above; - adoption of the code on Municipalities: its very late adoption, a few days before the elections, did not contribute to a genuine debate between candidates, since the scope of responsibilities of the newly elected municipalities were not clarified.

 Pakistan - parliamentary elections - 25 July

A seven-member EP delegation, led by Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK), observed the parliamentary elections in Pakistan that took place on 25 July. The EU sent an observer team headed by Michael GAHLER (EPP, Germany) into which the EP delegation was integrated. The elections followed - for the first time in Pakistan’s history - two elected civilian governments completing their full terms. Nevertheless, there were many allegations of interference in the electoral process by the military-led establishment.

The EP delegation met the (caretaker) Foreign Minister, the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Head of the EU Delegation and Heads of Mission, representatives of civil society (with a particular focus on election observation, human rights and women’s rights groups), members of the Ahmadi religious minority and the media. It was possible to have a meeting with only one political party. The Head of the EP delegation, together with the CO, held a meeting with the military at the latter’s request.

- 11 - On Election Day, the EP delegation split into three teams, observing in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Jhelum. They noted generally sound and transparent voting procedures, despite some problems in the counting process with staff not always following procedures and instances of parallel tabulation being carried out by the military during the counting process. The findings of the MEPs were similar to those of the Long Term Observers (LTOs). Election Day was marred by two deadly attacks in Balochistan province, which followed earlier acts of terrorism during the campaign. The last minute revocation of the accreditation of all local assistants/interpreters had a detrimental effect on the work of the LTOs who had to observe in the polling stations without support.

Overall, observers considered that the elections marked a step backwards in the consolidation of civilian rule. On the positive side, the new Elections Act improved the legal framework and the Election Commission of Pakistan took many initiatives to improve accountability and transparency and to increase the participation of women and minorities. There was greater confidence in the Commission thanks to its regular consultations with political parties and civil society organisations.

However, these positive changes were overshadowed by restrictions on freedom of expression and an unequal opportunity to campaign. There were severe restrictions on media outlets and an extremely high level of self-censorship. There were allegations that the military-led establishment was interfering in the electoral process and that the judiciary was playing a political role. Despite legal provisions aimed at ensuring a level playing field, there was a lack of equality of opportunity and candidates with large political appeal and significant financial resources - the so called “electables” - were reported to have dominated the campaign. The Head of the EP delegation underlined that the recommendations contained in the final report of the EOM would be a factor in the GSP Plus monitoring process.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was the largest in the new parliament with 116 of the 270 seats. The former governing party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) won 64 seats. PTI leader Imran Khan became Prime Minister on 17 August with the support of smaller parties and independents.

 Presidential and general elections, Zimbabwe, 30 July 2018

A seven-member EP delegation, led by Norbert NEUSER (S&D, Germany), observed the harmonised elections in Zimbabwe on 30 July. The elections - including presidential, parliamentary and local ballots - were the first since former president Robert Mugabe stepped down from power after 37 years in office. For the first time since 2002, the EU sent to the country an election observation mission, led by Chief Observer MEP Elmar BROK (EPP, Germany), into which the EP delegation was integrated.

Before Election Day, the EP delegation met the EOM Core Team, the EU Heads of Mission, leaders or representatives of the two main political parties (including the MDC Alliance presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa); the Head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Priscilla Chigumba; the Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga; the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Mtata; civil society representatives, experts and analysts, domestic and international observers.

On Election Day, the delegation split into three teams, observing in the city of Harare, Mashonaland West and Bulawayo and surroundings.

- 12 - MEPs assessed the elections as competitive, the campaign and Election Day were largely peaceful and, overall, political freedoms during the campaign, including freedom of movement, assembly and speech, were respected. There was a large turnout of citizens who displayed a strong commitment to exercising their democratic right to vote and expressed an unambiguous message of hope for a new future. However, the misuse of state resources, instances of coercion and soft intimidation, partisan behaviour by traditional leaders and overt bias in state media, all in favour of the ruling party, meant that a truly level playing field was not achieved, which negatively impacted on the democratic character of the electoral environment. The post-election period saw grave instances of abuse and violence, notably the killing of six people by the military on 1 August as presidential results were being announced.

At the press conference immediately following the ballot, MEP Neuser underlined that the elections were a crucial step - but only a step - in Zimbabwe's reform process. Elections were not an end in themselves, but an important part of a process of change. He also pointed out that the people of Zimbabwe had high hopes for the future and it was the duty of the political leaders to work to improve the lives of all citizens.

On 3 August, the ZEC chairperson declared the presidential results with the incumbent, Emmerson Mnangagwa of ZANU-PF, receiving 50.8% of the total votes cast, while the main opposition candidate, Nelson Chamisa of MDC Alliance, received 44.3%. For the National Assembly results were officially announced for each constituency, with ZANU-PF winning 144 of the 210 constituencies and the MDC Alliance securing 64 seats.

 Elections - Bosnia & Herzegovina - 7 October

A five-member EP delegation, chaired by Frank ENGEL (EPP, Luxembourg) observed the general elections that took place on 7 October in Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH). The EP team formed part of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) along with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The EP delegation followed the standard briefing programme with the other parliamentary delegations and there was also a well-attended meeting with the EU Heads of Mission. On Election Day, the EP delegation split into three teams, observing in and around Sarajevo, Pale, Sokolac, Zenica and Kiseljak - thereby covering the ethnic makeup of BiH and including polling stations in the Republika Srpska.

The elections were assessed as genuinely competitive with a wide choice of candidates who were able to campaign freely. Overall, the upper levels of the election administration ran the elections efficiently. Freedoms of speech, movement and association were generally respected and the elections were considered by the EP delegation to be “materially credible”.

However, long-standing deficiencies in the legal framework persisted, with discussions to fill gaps in the Electoral Law stalled due to political disagreements, thus leading to a further erosion of trust in public institutions. The dependence of the media on political and business interests often caused biased coverage and instances of pressure on voters were not effectively addressed. The number of reported irregularities increased significantly in the weeks prior to Election Day. There was continuing segmentation along ethnic lines and

- 13 - candidates focused more on personal attacks and fearmongering than on discussing political alternatives.

Election Day took place in a calm atmosphere and was generally orderly with a large presence of citizen observers contributing to the overall transparency of the process. (Pod Lupom or “Under the magnifying glass” (the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, which consists of six nationwide NGOs, covered 80% of the polling stations with 3,800 independent citizen observers). However, there was a high percentage of invalid ballots on Election Day (over 10% of the votes for the BiH Presidency in 10% of the polling stations). MEPs agreed with the conclusions of other international observers, nevertheless, they considered that there could be streamlining of some of the more cumbersome procedures and were concerned at the prominent role played in polling stations by political party officials, which could have had an influence on voters.

Looking ahead, the EP delegation stressed that the status quo was “not an option” and that BiH needed to be “reset” as a functioning state with effective institutions and laws that are implemented. The Head of the EP delegation specifically stated in the press conference that there is “no wish to have two and a half interlocutors - we want one”. MEPs questioned whether the outcome of the elections would have any positive affect on BiH as a state with functioning and effective institutions. They called for “at least the beginning of the end” to the “longstanding systemic and legal issues that have been around for too many years”. The EP delegation regretted the “persistent inability of (its) counterparts in the BiH parliament to reach agreement on the rules governing meetings between the two legislatures”. As a result, there had been no inter-parliamentary meeting for almost three years. MEPs urged all stakeholders to show political maturity and to give priority to the country’s interests in order to restore the trust of citizens and renew their faith in the future of the country.

 Presidential Elections - Georgia (1st round: 28 October; 2nd round: 29 November)

Ms Laima ANDRIKIENE (EPP, Lithuania) led the EP delegation which observed the Presidential elections in Georgia which took place in two rounds on 28 October and 29 November. The EP team formed part of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) along with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (the latter for the first round only).

In addition to the joint programme with the partner Parliamentary Assemblies, the EP delegation met outgoing President Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Bakhtadze and the EU Heads of Mission. These latter meetings were organised in close cooperation and with the excellent support of the EU Delegation in Tbilisi.

On Election Day, which the EP delegation observed from opening to closing and counting, there were no notable incidents of violence in either round, although Georgians could not vote in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. There were some occurrences of intimidation of voters - particularly in the second round - through party ‘coordinators’. In addition on Election Day - although it was not prohibited by the law - the ruling party orchestrated a mass sending of text messages and phone calls. The elections were, nonetheless, well administered and took place in a competitive environment in which candidates were able to campaign freely. - 14 - The pre-electoral debate focused too often on negative campaigning and personal attacks - including very harsh accusations - rather than on concrete visions for the future. This negative trend was further exacerbated during the second round, with acrimonious rhetoric observed. The deeper polarisation of the media landscape in the second first round, in both public and private channels, did not help to provide a non-partisan platform for debate between the candidates. While independent civil society organisations demonstrated a high level of engagement, some of them became the target of intense verbal attacks by “high State authorities” (such as “accomplices of fascism”). Such attacks against civil society, which were condemned by the EP delegation during the first round, seemed however to have ceased during the second round.

Despite some improvements in the electoral framework, the same concerns on campaign financing were observed as in 2016: strong imbalances in resources, influence of business in politics, and no level playing field and fair competition being ensured between candidates. Furthermore, the paying off of the debts of 600,000 citizens (total amount €500 million) by a bank widely associated with the Chairman of the ruling party was perceived as a form of large-scale vote buying and described as such in the preliminary statement.

In summary - and despite some positive elements (such as the high engagement of women in running the electoral process, notably in the polling stations, and a higher turnout by approximately 10 points) - the second round was globally assessed as a regression when compared to the first round. Although the extent of the victory of Ms Salome Zurabishvili (independent, backed by Georgian Dream) over Grigol Vashadze (UNM) was very clear (60% to 40% margin), the electoral process proved to be very divisive, introducing much antagonism into society which would require a healing process. The Chair of the EP delegation underlined, in often critical terms, these challenges and priorities at the final press conference which took place on 30 November.

 Presidential elections - Madagascar (7 November and 19 December)

The EP delegation was led by Mrs Lidia GERINGER DE OEDENBERG (S&D, Poland), and observed both rounds. It was integrated into the EU EOM headed by Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, Romania).

These elections were the first to be organised by the Malagasy authorities since the post transition period (2009-2013). Among 36 candidates, including four former Heads of State and three former Prime Ministers, the two main actors of the political developments over the last decade (and notably the 2009 crisis) reached the second round. Andry Rajoelina, Head of the High Transitional Authority (2009-2013), was elected with 55.66 % of the votes.

The EU mission and the EP mentioned publicly and in private meetings their disappointment with the non-implementation of some of the recommendations from the 2013 elections, and notably the absence of any ceiling in campaign expenditures and of any control over the origin of campaign funds. This created a huge imbalance between the candidates and distorted fair competition.

On the two Election Days, the situation was surprisingly calm and peaceful, as compared to previous elections in the country. A rather disappointing turnout (47.5%) was nevertheless to be noted. The management of the vote clearly improved between the two rounds, thanks to

- 15 - the efforts made by the election management bodies which took on board the comments by the international and national observers.

The last days of campaigns for both rounds were marred by some accusations of fraud and misdoings (vote-buying, interference, production of fake IDs, etc.) which were however not substantiated with concrete proof. The EU mission decided not to comment on allegations about incidents that it had not observed.

 General elections - Armenia, 9 December

The six-member delegation was chaired by Ms Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, Finland), and integrated into the long term International Election Observation Mission led by the ODIHR.

These snap elections, eight months after the series of anti-government protests known as the “Velvet Revolution” which brought Nikol Pashinyan to power as Prime Minister, were assessed as “very well organised, free of pressure on voters, and with minimal irregularities, unlike in 2017 when vote-buying & abuse of administrative resources were observed. As a result, public trust in the electoral process was high.” In the limited time-frame of the campaign, the performance of the Central Election Commission was assessed as “very good”, and the work and engagement of the civil society was commended

Unfortunately, the campaign showed that intolerant rhetoric remains a problem, notably against women and online. In addition, one party abused the access given to civic observers by recruiting and paying “non-observing observers” in order to obtain extra accreditations for their representatives (or maybe a discreet way of buying votes). Turnout was somewhat disappointing (48.63%).

While the Chair of the delegation remained in Yerevan, the EP delegation split into two additional teams, travelling to Ashtarak and Artashat. Prior to their deployment, most teams observed the opening of the vote in Yerevan.

As PM Pashinyan’s party received over 70% of votes, expectations were high to deliver reforms and better living conditions. The Republican Party, which had dominated Armenian politics for nearly two decades before being toppled in the spring, fell just short of the 5 per cent threshold, and went down from 58 to 0 seats.

- 16 - III. Parliamentary capacity building in third countries

At the end of 2014 DEG agreed on a global concept for the development of EP democracy support activities - the “Comprehensive Democracy Support Approach” (CDSA). The main objective of the CDSA is to ensure that all EP parliamentary support activities are carried out in a coherent and complementary manner, to be achieved by bringing together the different areas of DEG support and focusing as much as possible on providing EP assistance and resources to a limited number of countries - in addition to the Western Balkans and Turkey (see separate section).

In December 2017, on the basis of the impact of the activities conducted so far, the elections that the European Parliament observed, and the commitment of the EP partners, the DEG decided to reconfirm seven priority countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Morocco, Tunisia, Peru and Nigeria) and a priority regional parliament (the Pan-African Parliament), putting on hold activities in Myanmar and Tanzania because of the unfavourable political situation in the two countries. In addition pre- and post-electoral activities were carried out with a limited number of other countries. In this context, activities in 2018 took place as follows.

 Ukraine

Lead Member: Elmar BROK

In the framework of the Needs Assessment Mission conducted by former EP President Pat Cox in September 2015-February 2016, a Memorandum of Understanding between the EP President and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and an Administrative Cooperation Agreement between the two Secretary Generals were signed. Both documents were been renewed in 2017 until the end of the 8th Legislature of the European Parliament.

Most activities directed at the staff of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine are conducted in the framework of the EU funded project “Rada za Evropu”, implemented by the UNDP. It foresees the provision of expertise, guidance, staff exchanges and study visits. In 2016 and 2017, several study visits from officials of the Verkhovna Rada and missions from EP officials were conducted in the field of human resources, legislative planning, calendar setting, research, IT, and communication. In 2018 however, due to the fact that Phase I of the “Rada za Evropu” project was coming to an end with uncertainties regarding the scope / resources for Phase II (which will start in early 2019), plans for study visits had to be put on hold.

In March however, the lead member together with Pat Cox participated in the Conference “NAM Two years on: retrospective and perspectives” organised in Kyiv; this event aimed at assessing the efforts carried by the Verkhovna Rada on its reform path (legislative capacities, administrative support to members, openness and transparency, etc.), and draw conclusions for the future.

The political dimension of parliamentary capacity building takes place mainly within the framework of an EP mediation and consensus building process known as the Jean Monnet Dialogues, put in place to facilitate decision making (see section further below).

 Georgia

- 17 - Lead Member: Ana GOMES

Georgia was included in December 2016 on the list of priority countries for EP capacity building activities, following the 2016 parliamentary elections.

In February 2018, a study visit was organised in Brussels on parliamentary oversight. The high level Georgian delegation (headed by the First Vice Speaker, and composed of two Vice Speakers, three committee chairs, and three committee deputy chairs) followed a two day programme focusing on tools and mechanisms for oversight in the legislative field; on security and defence oversight; on budgetary oversight; on oversight in the fields of taxation and fiscal policy; on ex ante impact assessment and ex-post evaluation; and on EU-Georgia relations. Several EP committee chairs / vice-chairs actively participated in the programme, together with high level officials from DG IPOL and EPRS, with member of a Commissioner’s cabinet, and with representative from the Bundestag who provided the oversight perspective from the point of view of an EU national parliament.

In September, the lead member conducted a two day fact finding mission in Georgia, focusing on Human Rights and the Rule of Law. She met activists from various NGOs, representatives from several civil society organisations, and the Public Defender. The preparation for the campaign of the forthcoming presidential elections (October - November) was also discussed at length with the various interlocutors.

Furthermore, in June an official from the Secretariat General of the Parliament of Georgia was seconded for a month to the Euronest / Russia Unit of DG EXPO, within the framework of the Democracy Fellowship programme, enabling her to share best practices on the conduct of the work of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.

 Moldova

Lead Member: Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

A study visit for senior officials of the Parliament of Moldova took place in February 2018 in cooperation with the UNDP. This focussed on the management of the pre and post-election transition of a parliament in anticipation of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova. Items covered included support to members (research facilities, briefings, etc.) as well as technical services (allowances, IT support, offices). There were also meetings with the Lead Member/Rapporteur and the Chair of the EP Delegation and the group visited the Belgian Parliament.

Three officials of the Parliament of Moldova undertook Democracy Fellowship programmes in September/October 2018 in DG TRAD, DG LINC and DG Presidency (National Parliaments).

The Code of Conduct for Members of the Parliament of Moldova - which has been an area of focus of democracy support, including study visits in previous years, - was on the agenda of the EP Committee for Foreign Affairs and the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee during the meetings in April 2018.

- 18 -  Tunisia

Lead Member: Michael GAHLER

In the aftermath of the Tunisian week which was held in Brussels in May 2017, two seminars were hosted by the European Parliament in its premises in 2018:

The first targeted nine senior officials of the Assemblée des Représentants du Peuple (ARP) on 1 to 4 October, and was organised jointly with the French Assemblée Nationale (jumelage / twinning programme), which took care of many of the logistical aspects of the visit. The programme, which was developed by the European Parliament on this occasion, allowed for participants to deepen their knowledge about the activities covered under a “parliamentary diplomacy” chapter at the European Parliament. ARP colleagues therefore participated actively at the sessions which tackled issues including the relations between committees and delegations, how committees scrutinise the executive (also in the field of commercial relations), and the ways and means used by parliamentarians in the area of foreign affairs in order to advance EP priorities. This visit also allowed for informal contacts to take place at Secretariat level, and to explore possible areas of further cooperation / activities to be organised, in Brussels or Tunis, in 2019.

A second seminar, held on 19 to 22 November allowed 20 final year graduates (cadets) from the Tunisian Institut Diplomatique to become acquainted with the role the European Parliament plays in the field of shaping EU foreign policy, prior to taking up their duties within the Tunisian diplomatic service. These study days, organised jointly with the EEAS, also coincided with the high-level conference organised at the EP on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights. Participants were thus able to attend most events organised in this framework, in the presence of President Tajani and HRVP Mogherini, but also to participate in specific Q&A sessions with Vice President M. Castaldo, Chief EU Observer (local elections June 2018) and D-MAGH Chair Ms Ayala Sender.

 Peru

Lead Member: Renate WEBER

Peru was included in December 2016 on the list of priority countries for EP capacity building activities, with EU Chief Observer (2016 general and presidential elections) Renate Weber being appointed by the DEG as lead member for democracy support activities. A fact-finding visit took place in May 2017, providing opportunities to explore possible areas of cooperation.

In this framework, a seminar was organised in Lima on 15 and 16 February, allowing for EP best practices on Petitions to be presented to an impressively large number of Peruvian participants (more than 150 officials and political advisors) within the premises of the Peruvian Congreso, and for CDSA activities in support of Peru to benefit from large visibility in the country itself.

The seminar provided an opportunity for the following themes to be tackled and presented at length, by Members having specific expertise on Petitions related issues: a presentation by M. Carlos Iturgaiz MEP of the internal guidelines of the PETI Committee; explanations from Ms - 19 - Bodil Valero MEP of the relations the PETI Committee enjoys with the European Ombudsman and of the "European Citizens" initiative; a presentation by Ms Angela Vallina MEP of the current trends in the PETI Committee based on her experience, highlighted by some petitions of relevance to Peruvian citizens (practical case-studies). Finally, lead Member Renate Weber MEP underlined the role petitions can play in further empowering parliaments, with particular emphasis on the related recommendations issued in the EU EOM 2016 report.

 Morocco

Lead Member: Pier Antonio PANZERI

In December 2016 the EU Court of Justice Grand Chamber had set aside an earlier judgement of the EU Court of Justice on the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement thus allowing cooperation to gradually resume often in partnership with the French Assemblée Nationale, which is in charge of the EU twinning project.

Thus, seven Members of the House of Representatives participated in a three day seminar organised in 22/24 January 2018, focusing on participative democracy and the role of the petitions committee. The Moroccan MPs present exchanged experiences on best practices with officials from the Committee on Petitions, and held exchanges of views with DROI Chair and lead member Mr Panzeri and Ms Ayala Sender, Co-Chair of the EP-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee.

A second visit organised on 7 June 2018, in close cooperation with the FEMM Committee focussed on gender issues. The seven participants from the Moroccan House of Representatives learned about the work carried out by the FEMM committee in matters falling under its responsibility. In addition they informed MEPs and EP officials about the current state of play of the Government’s plan for gender equality in Morocco, underlining the institutional and social challenges still lying ahead in the country.

 Nigeria

Lead Member: Santiago FISAS

In 2018 the DEG continued its support to the National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS), with all activities taking place in Brussels. In January - as a follow up to the joint EP-NASS seminar on “Inter-party relationship in the legislature”, organised in Abuja in October 2017 - Nigerian legislators took part in a study visit in Brussels on the topic of “Developing a culture of parliamentarism and the role of political parties”. In June, several members from the NASS Youth Committee and the Young Parliamentarians Forum, visited Brussels for meetings with MEPs to discuss best practices on the establishment of youth strategies and youth policies. In June and in December some 20 high-level officials exchanged best practices with relevant EP officials in the area of committee and plenary work, research, oversight, IT and communication policy.

In line with the overall EU efforts for enhancing the follow-up to EOM recommendations, and the need to strengthen the parliamentary dimension in this follow-up process, there was also an attempt to organise a Parliamentary Electoral Dialogue (PED) with the Nigerian parliament at the end of June. The delegation - authorised by the Conference of Presidents – - 20 - unfortunately had to be cancelled, due to an insufficient number of MEPs being able to attend.

 Pan-African Parliament

Lead Member: Michael GAHLER

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) continued to be the only transnational priority parliament for the EP for capacity-building in 2018.

Besides exchanges of best practices between PAP and EP officials in the form of study visits or fellowships to Brussels on various administrative topics and a training in the PAP in Midrand on IT-related solutions, in April DEG organised a special three day training of a PAP parliamentary delegation with the aim of strengthening capacities related to “Election Observation, Conflict Prevention and Mediation”. As the visit coincided with plenary week in Strasbourg, there was a very fruitful contribution of former MEPs in the programme of the visit, including former President Pat Cox. The PAP members benefited from a series of comprehensive presentations on the EU and EP’s role in election observation, conflict prevention throughout the electoral cycle and parliamentary mediation, carefully coordinated with the responsible units in the EP and with their counterparts in the European External Action Service. A simulation/role play exercise gave the participants a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of a hostile and violent election environment during two moments, namely in the run-up to the election and on the day of the announcement of election results. It thus allowed the participants to put into practice the methods and lessons learned over the previous two days.

 Post-election countries

In some countries where the elections were observed by the European Parliament, cooperation and assistance were foreseen for the implementation of some specific recommendations or for the development of certain capacities of the Parliament. In such cases, post-election activities were organised under the leadership of the Chief Observer.

The Gambia

Two visits of newly elected MPs and high level staff from the Gambia's National Assembly were organised in early 2018 in Brussels. These visits followed significant democratic developments in the country: presidential elections in December 2016, followed by the April 2017 parliamentary elections, which were observed by the European Parliament. In its final report, the EP election observation delegation explicitly recommended that the European Parliament should contribute to the strengthening of the newly elected Gambian Parliament by offering capacity building activities. During their study visits, Gambian participants held lively discussions with MEPs, including Miroslav Poche, Chief Observer to the Gambia, Jean Lambert, Head of the European Parliament's election observation delegation, and Linda McAvan, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Development. Exchanging best practices on a comprehensive set of topics, participants touched on the role of a parliament, the function of parliamentary committees, the budget process, relations with civil society and the electorate, human rights, gender equality and empowering women in parliaments, dialogue, building coalitions and consensus.

- 21 - Niger/Cote d’Ivoire

As a follow-up to his visit to Niger in July 2018, President Tajani requested the DEG’s support to develop some targeted EP capacity-building activities for the National Assembly of Niger in the second half of 2018 and first half of 2019. Following DEG's approval, a study visit of MPs and staff - joined by several high-level officials from the parliament of Cote d’Ivoire (including the Secretary-General) was organised at the end of November. The visit focused on topics such as parliamentary Rules of Procedure, the work of committees, oversight of the executive, communication policy, IT solutions and Intranet, as well as the EP administration and human resources policy.

- 22 - IV. Pre-accession activities

In 2018 PAAC gave a new dimension to its cooperation with Western Balkan parliaments in developing synergies with EU national parliaments involved with the region. This took the form of two co-organised events, one with the Chamber of Deputies in the Czech parliament, the other with the National Assembly of Bulgaria. Furthermore, PAAC took the initiative to exchange information on respective programmes and activities with all interested national parliaments of EU Member states, thus paving the way for future joint endeavours.

Building on the success of the first Round Table on the European Integration Process of the Western Balkans in November 2017, PAAC organised a new edition in cooperation with AFET as well as five regional conferences open to civil society and the media, which brought together MEPs and MPs from the EU enlargement countries. Two of these events were held in the region, two in EU Member States and two in Brussels.

In addition, a study visit was organised for newly elected Members of Parliament from Albania, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and PAAC contributed to the International Day of Democracy event by ensuring participation of MPs from the Western Balkans and Turkey.

The Fellowship Programme, which was established in 2013, continued throughout 2018, enabling eight officials from the beneficiary parliaments to work in different services of the European Parliament for a period of up to six weeks.

Lead Member: Eduard KUKAN

 High-level Round Table on the European Integration Process of the Western Balkans in a Regional Perspective (Brussels, 27 November 2018)

The European integration process requires from each country concerned substantial adjustments ranging from the legislative transposition of the acquis communautaire to its implementation, structural reforms and even changes to its political and societal culture. Each country’s evolution is judged upon its own merits, in particular via the mechanism of the European Commission’s annual reports. However, the regional dimension - cross-border cooperation, developing connectivity and sharing best practices - is an essential part of the integration process, which is often overlooked.

The Round Table gives a unique opportunity to focus on the regional dimension. During this closed-door session, 17 MPs from the Western Balkans parliaments held an exchange of views with Vice-President Járóka, the AFET standing rapporteurs and the relevant EP Delegation Chairs. This allowed a particularly extensive and frank discussion including candid comments on the reform agenda and its implementation in the framework of the EU accession process and on the prospects for a permanent thaw in the bilateral relations between Balkan countries. Country-specific issues were discussed with the respective standing rapporteurs and delegation Chairs.

- 23 -  Conferences

The power of the purse: EP budgetary powers and procedures

The role of the European Parliament in the EU budgetary procedure was the focus of this conference, which was held in the premises of the Assembly of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 26 February 2018.

During the conference, which brought together MEPs and MPs from the Western Balkan countries and Turkey, the MEPs explained in detail the procedures and negotiations for the adoption of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) focusing also on the current debates around the next MFF in the light of Brexit. The ensuing debate centred on the financing of policies which are of most interest to the pre-accession countries, such as the pre-accession funds, the agriculture and cohesion funds.

The MEPs also presented the annual budgetary procedure focusing in particular on the role of the EP in the adoption of the EU budget. The scrutiny by MEPs of the implementation of the EU budget and the upcoming EP report on the external financial instruments were also discussed in detail. The MEPs urged their counterparts to follow the example of the EP in their respective parliaments' budgetary procedures and seek to "translate" in their national budgets their political priorities.

The EP delegation included the following Members: Mr Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PL), Mr John Howarth (S&D, UK), Mr Angel Dzhambazki (ECR, BG), Mr Igor Šoltes (Greens/EFA, SI) and Mr André Elissen (ENF, NL).

The conference was organised in cooperation with the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Budgets.

Interparliamentary Conference – The Pre-Accession Instrument on Rural Development (IPARD): Lessons learned and future prospects

The Pre-Accession Instrument on Rural Development was the focus of an interparliamentary conference, which was held in the premises of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on 13 April 2018.

The conference, which brought together MEPs and MPs from the Western Balkan countries and Turkey, provided an overview of the three IPARD axes (Improving Market Efficiency and Implementing Community Standards; Preparatory actions for implementation of the agro-environmental measures and Leader; Development of the Rural Economy) and focused on the lessons learned since its establishment as well as its future prospects.

The MEPs made clear to their counterparts from the region that setting up the necessary structures to administer CAP payments involves considerable human and administrative resources. Aligning support systems was therefore important to ensure farmers were well prepared and informed on the systems and schemes operating in the EU.

They added that - notwithstanding the EU support and financial assistance to tackle these challenges - the primary responsibility remained with the beneficiary countries. In this

- 24 - context, the MPs should seek both to strengthen the parliamentary oversight and to step up the monitoring and auditing of results and the fight against corruption. The EP delegation included the following MEPs: Mr Czesław Siekierski (EPP, PL), Ms Maria Gabriela Zoană (S&D, RO), Mr Ivari Padar (S&D, ET), Mr Angel Dzhambazki (ECR, BG) and Ms Eleni Theocharous (ECR, CY).

The conference was organised in cooperation with the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.

Inter-parliamentary conference - Upholding the freedom of expression, including media freedom, in the EU and beyond

The importance of the respect of the freedom of expression in the context of EU accession negotiations was underlined by all MEPs during the interparliamentary conference, which took place in the Czech Chamber of Deputies on 14 and 15 June 2018.

The conference, which was organised in cooperation with the Czech Parliament, was very timely, as it was held after a series of assassinations of journalists both inside the EU and in Western Balkans.

The subjects discussed included the following topics: • The role of the media in the political debate • Media ownership, transparency and regulation • Dealing with fake news and disinformation • Civil society as a source of information and a support for political reform • Individual freedoms, privacy, encryption, social media tracking, defamation law • Ensuring the protection of journalists and whistle-blowers

The EP delegation consisted of the following MEPs: Ms Barbara Spinelli (GUE, IT), Ms Michaela Šojdrová (EPP, CZ), Mr Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ) Ms Eleni Theocharous (ECR, CY) and Mr Jiří Payne (EFD, CZ). The conference participants included MPs of the Czech Republic and the six Western Balkan countries as well as investigative journalists and media activists and academics, ensuring a lively and, at times, heated debate.

Interparliamentary conference – Sound management of EU funds: the EP budgetary control powers

The EP and its budgetary control powers can be a role model for pre-accession parliaments. This was one of the main conclusions of a conference on the sound management of EU funds, which took place in the EP premises in Brussels on 11 and 12 July 2018.

The MEPs presented to their counterparts from the Western Balkans the activities of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the EP discharge procedure. In this context, the Committee Chair stressed the importance of the MEPs' scrutiny over how the EU funds are spent as well as the need to guarantee transparency towards the EU taxpayers.

The MEPs also underlined the importance of bodies such as the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in ensuring that EU funds are well managed and fraud is properly combatted. Moreover, they urged their national counterparts to ensure that they also properly audit the EU funds invested in their countries.

- 25 - Finally, the MEPs highlighted the necessity of the implementation of EU standards and regional cooperation as a prerequisite for the countries to join the EU.

This conference, which was organised in cooperation with the Committee on Budgetary Control, was a follow-up to the one which took place in Skopje on 26 February 2018 on the EP budgetary powers and procedures.

Interparliamentary conference - A parliamentary perspective on the role and the future of EU accession process

As a staunch supporter of the EU enlargement policy, the European Parliament supports regional cooperation initiatives in the Western Balkans. On 5 October in Sofia the EP organised jointly with the National Assembly of Bulgaria an inter-parliamentary conference involving Members of EU national parliaments as well as members of the Western Balkan parliaments to review the outcome of the Berlin Process Summit and of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, including the Sofia Priority Agenda, thus providing them with a parliamentary dimension.

The conference took stock of the state of preparedness and reforms in the different countries of the region. However, the focus was put not so much on individual countries’ progress but rather on the commonalities of challenges facing the region, cross-border cooperation and regional institutions and instruments.

The role of National Parliaments and the European Parliament in strengthening the European perspective of the Western Balkans was the focus of intense debate, with MPs from the states who joined the EU most recently sharing their own experience in the accession process. Ms Lívia Járóka, Vice-President of the European Parliament (EPP, HU), insisted in her keynote speech on the integration of minorities and the fight against poverty

Other Members of the EP delegation were the following: Mr Eduard Kukan (EPP, SK), Ms Julie Ward (S&D, UK), Mr Georgi Pirinski (S&D, BG).

 Study visit

Study visit for newly elected MPs from Albania, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Twenty-two MPs, who were elected for the first time in parliamentary elections in Albania, Kosovo, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, paid a study visit to the EP on 22 and 23 January 2018. The aim of this visit - which was a follow-up to the European Parliament election observation missions to the three countries - was to give the newly elected MPs the opportunity to become acquainted with the European Parliament, its structures and work but also its role in the EU enlargement policy.

Eleven MEPs, who work closely with the three aforementioned countries both in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and in Delegations, contributed to the study visit. They underlined the importance of 2018 as a window of opportunity for the EU enlargement policy and advised the newly elected Parliamentarians to be proactive and fight for the necessary reforms which will bring their respective countries closer to the EU.

- 26 - In addition, they repeatedly said that the EU, and in particular the EP, is a staunch supporter of the accession of the Western Balkan countries in the EU, adding though that it is the individual countries' responsibility to move forward. They also made clear that boycotting the Parliament is not a solution and should stop, as it sends the wrong message to the public and the EU. In this context, they argued that dialogue, negotiations and compromise between the different parties is the only way forward.

The Albanian delegation referred to the recent improvement in Greek-Albanian relations; the Kosovo delegation repeatedly complained about the stalling of the visa liberalisation scheme (for which the MEPs urged them to fulfil all preconditions, including the Kosovo- Montenegrin border demarcation); while the MPs from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on various occasions, urged the European Parliament to intervene in their country's favour during the ongoing name dispute negotiations with Greece.

 Pre-Accession Fellowship Programme 2018

In 2018 PAAC hosted eight Pre-Accession Fellows for a period of up to six weeks. Fellows were placed in the relevant services of the Secretariat General in Brussels and Luxembourg and were assigned to a mentor, who followed them closely and guided them. They also had the opportunity to attend relevant committee and delegation meetings as well as the plenary session. The Fellows came from the administration of the Parliaments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Turkey. In order to underpin the exchange of best practices and facilitate contacts between the former Fellows the use of a dedicated Pre-Accession Fellows Network was further developed.

 Mediation and Dialogue activities in the Western Balkans

In the 2018 the Young Political Leaders Western Balkans regional platform “Bridging the Gap” bringing together young parliamentarians and youth organisation activists was extended with the inclusion of thematic Policy Labs, together with the Commission’s JRC and DG NEAR. There was a strong regional ownership with the Macedonian Sobranie hosting the event.

In 2018, a Jean Monnet process was launched with the Macedonian Sobranie, building on the work of the 3 MEPs who acted as mediators, together with Commissioner Hahn, during the negotiations and the implementation of the Przino agreement.

(For more on Mediation and Dialogue see the dedicated section)

- 27 - V. Sakharov Prize Network and human rights action

 Human rights action

Human rights action provides a key component to overall democracy support efforts led by the DEG in line with the CDSA. It aims at supporting partner parliaments in mainstreaming human rights into legislation and overseeing their implementation, linking civil society as a crucial vector of human rights to parliaments and government authorities, and building capacities of human rights defenders, empowering women, and strengthening free media as agents of democratic change. Human rights action continued to unfold along a double track: action contributing to democracy support efforts led by the DEG and action in support of the human rights agenda of the European Parliament and its visibility.

Action contributing to democracy support efforts

 Visit of Members from the Gender Equality Committee of the Parliament of Montenegro and representatives of Montenegro's Women's Political Network, Brussels 20-21 February (four MPs, nine + three MEPs) A very useful visit contributed to enhancing the capacity of women legislators and civil society representatives from Montenegro. Exchanges with the visitors also enriched the discussion in the FEMM Committee. There was excellent participation of Members in the programme. They reiterated that gender equality is a priority in the accession process and called on the visitors to make progress, with laws and action plans followed by reform efforts and practical steps to improve the situation of women. Gender issues will remain on the agenda of EP-Montenegro parliamentary contacts and Members support a continued EU assistance for the Women’s Political Network of Montenegro.

 Human rights component of the Study visit of Members of the Gambian National Assembly, Brussels 20-22 February, (8 MPs and 4 staff members) A visit to the EP of newly elected members and high-level staff of the National Assembly of The Gambia focused on human rights, gender equality and women empowerment in parliament, as well as on dialogue, building coalitions and consensus. Gambian parliamentarians were inquisitive, eager to learn best practices, committed to make a difference back home, while combining this with a down-to-earth approach on what is feasible in view of the realities of their country. Visitors were interested in core democratic concepts, procedures and practices and appreciated presentations on the EP structure and functioning, especially concerning a parliamentary culture of inter- party dialogue and consensus-building.

 Conference on Networking and advocacy strategies for Human Rights Defenders from Central Asia and South Caucasus, Brussels, 19-20 March; 28 human rights defenders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, MEPs Preda, Tokes and Stetina. The conference was an example of the EP successfully joining forces with OSCE/ODIHR to organise a big capacity-building and networking event for human rights defenders (HRDs). The aim was to foster dialogue with Parliament and EU institutions while also providing space for advocacy. Possibilities for bilateral meetings with MEPs were highly appreciated. There was very positive feedback from the human rights activists and partners from the ODIHR about the conference. In their assessment, HRDs from Central Asia were pessimistic and expected stronger governmental control of communications and

- 28 - further repression on the pretext of fighting extremism. International donors are seen as retreating from Central Asia and a strong plea was made to the EU not to do so. The joint event strengthened the basis for further collaboration with ODIHR on human rights topics.

 Interparliamentary Conference on Upholding the Freedom of Expression, Including Media Freedom, in the EU and Beyond, Prague, 14-15 June; nine journalists from Western Balkan countries. The conference was organised by the DEG in cooperation with the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament. The human rights aspect was ensured by inviting media activists and journalists from the most of the Western Balkans countries. This contribution that was highly appreciated. Informative presentations by the MEPs and by the invited experts provoked interest of the parliamentary delegations and ensured frank and lively exchanges, with the debate involving on equal footing the invited journalists and civil society activists.

 Conference on individual liberties and gender equality in Morocco and Tunisia - a look at ongoing societal debates, Brussels, 22 November. Organised in cooperation with the Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries as part of the EP Human Rights Week, the conference gathered civil society representatives and parliamentarians around a cross-regional stock taking in CDSA priority countries Morocco and Tunisia. It aimed at accompanying local debates and reform efforts on translating constitutional guarantees into legislation and ultimately implementing them. Speakers from from Morocco and Tunisia covered in three panels questions of freedom of conscience - constitutional guarantees and practice; equality of inheritance and the fight against violence against women - what societal and economic impact?, and identity and choice of sexual orientation - private or public matter?

 European Endowment for Democracy (EED). The DEG continued to contribute to the close implication of the EP in the daily activities of the EED. It maintained political support for the Endowment and oversight of its EC funding. This was achieved by close personal involvement of DEG, as three DEG members sit on the EED Board. Members who sit on the EED Board of Governors attended two meetings of the Board, on 27 June and on 5 December. On each occasion, preparatory meetings were organised in the EP, for Members with the EED Executive Director and for political groups’ advisers with EED’s Director of Operations.  On 27 June, the DEG organised, in cooperation with the EED, a Conference entitled Supporting People Striving for Democracy to mark the 5th Anniversary of the EED. The event highlighted Parliament’s key role in establishing the EED and continued support for its activities. Vice-Presidents Telička, and Hautala, DEVE Chair McAvan, MEPs Brok, Auštrevičius, Fleckenstein, Grzyb, Preda, Wenta, and Meszerics, as well as diplomats, EED grantees and NGOs attended.

Action in support of the EP human rights agenda and its visibility

 International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, Geneva, 12 March. The EP co-presented the documentary film "Women of the Venezuelan Chaos" related to its 2017 Sakharov Prize laureate to an international audience of around 300 guests, followed by a substantial debate including Lilian Tintori, Venezuelan activist and wife of Sakharov Prize laureate 2017 Leopoldo López via video link and Luisa

- 29 - Ortega Díaz, former General Prosecutor of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The event gave also occasion to present at Maison du Gruëtli, one of the Festival venues, the 30 years of Sakharov Prize exhibition ‘They defend our freedoms’ displaying profiles of Sakharov fellows.

 One World Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Brussels, 25 April. The EP joined forces with the NGO “People in Need” to participate in the largest film festival on human rights in Europe. The screening of the documentary “Women of the Venezuelan Chaos” sensitised on the country of the 2017 Sakharov Laureate through the intimate portrait of five very different suffering women. Vice-President Telička by video message and MEP Becerra Basterrechea addressed an audience of over 100 participants. A panel discussion with Maria-Alejandra Aristeguieta, Coordinator of Iniciativa Por Venezuela, Amanda Flores from OHCHR Geneva, and filmmaker Margarita Cadenas deepened the understanding of the serious social, economic and political crisis in Venezuela and explored avenues for addressing it.

 EP Open Days, Brussels, 5 May / Strasbourg, 10 June. Secretary General of “Reporters Without Borders”, Christophe Deloire, representing 2005 Sakharov Prize laureate in Brussels and his Deputy Antoine Bernard in Strasbourg, took part in public debates on the issue of fake news and trust in the relationship between politicians, media and citizens.

 European Youth Event (EYE), Strasbourg, 1-2 June. Sakharov Prize laureates 2014 Dr Mukwege and 2016 Lamya Haji Bashar alongside Vice-President Wieland represented “Voices of humanity” debating with youth in this flagship event organised by the European Parliament. Dr Mukwege also addressed a wide audience in a panel on “Changing Africa: New perspectives in the smartphone era”.

 ELYX - exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the signature of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Brussels, 20-22 November. As part of the EP cooperation with the United Nations under its 2018 Human Rights Week, DEG sponsored an exhibition where ELYX, the first digital UN Ambassador illustrates the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Vice-President Hautala inaugurated the exhibition in the presence of ELYX author Yacine Ait Kaci.

 Sakharov Week 2018

The 2018 Sakharov Prize was awarded to imprisoned Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov with the Strasbourg ceremony organised against the backdrop of a serious military stand-off between Ukraine and Russia over access to the Azov Sea. Consequently, media coverage was considerable as the award was perceived as a strong message to Russia. Many articles pointed to the broader picture showing that Mr Sentsov stands for about 70 other Ukrainian prisoners illegally detained in Russia.

In the absence of Oleg Sentsov symbolised by an empty chair, his cousin Natalya Kaplan received the Prize and addressed the Plenary on his behalf. Together with Sentsov’s lawyer Dimitriy Dinze, she took part in meetings with, AFET/DEVE/DROI, most of the political

- 30 - groups, the Ukraine and Russia Delegations, seminars with students and journalists, and gave 26 interviews with major European and international media.

The other finalists - i.e. the eleven NGOs saving lives of migrants across the Mediterranean, and the parents of imprisoned Moroccan finalist Nasser Zefzafi - also attended the award ceremony, met with a large number of MEPs and took part in seminars with hundreds of journalists and students. The NGOs advocated for the full protection of the right to life by EU authorities regardless of any political consideration; an effective Search and Rescue System compliant with international law to be established by the EU in the Central Mediterranean; and the stopping of criminalisation of civil search and rescue ships. Nasser Zefzafi’s parents raised the injustice of his imprisonment, denounced the lack of due process and rule of law in his detention and trial, as well as brutal crackdown on the Hirak movement by Moroccan authorities. The tragic terror attack in Strasbourg on 11 December led to the cancellation of the Sakharov events foreseen in cooperation with the City of Strasbourg: a public debate on Defending Human Rights - where do we stand? and the screening of the film “The Trial - the State of Russia vs Oleg Sentsov” followed by a debate with filmmaker Askold Kurov.

Natalya Kaplan and Dimitriy Dinze further participated in awareness-raising events organised with the local EP Liaison Offices in Paris (involving the City of Paris and the French Foreign Ministry) and in Berlin involving MEP Rebecca Harms.

 Sakharov Prize Network (SPN) activities

The activities organised under the SPN offer support to the laureates, facilitate contact with the MEPs and raise the European Parliament’s visibility on human rights through the Sakharov Prize brand.

Continuous monitoring of the situation of the laureates and the political situation in their respective countries provided all interested MEPs and political bodies with valuable information and enabled them to react swiftly, when appropriate.

The monthly SPN Newsletter continued to strengthen links among MEPs and the laureates themselves, facilitating mutual understanding of the respective activities. The communication with laureates and larger public is accompanied via Sakharov Prize Network website.

Political support to the laureates, including through silent diplomacy, involved numerous Members of the European Parliament - in particular, but not only, EP Members of the Sakharov Prize Network: President Tajani, Vice-Presidents Hautala, Castaldo, and Telička, AFET Chair McAllister, DEVE Chair McAvan and DROI Chair Panzeri. Specific action on the release of Salih Osman, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Lorent Saleh, and Oyub Titiev was undertaken to defend the laureates.

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr Mukwege and Nadia Murad brought the number of Sakharov Prize laureates who subsequently received this high distinction to five. At the same time, discussion among Members of the European Parliament were ongoing on the possible withdrawal of the Sakharov prize from Aung San Suu Kyi in relation to her weak response to the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

The Sakharov Prize, the Network and the Sakharov Fellowship have become important tools to communicate the EP human rights engagement. After DEG involvement in the new

- 31 - Sakharov photo book and campaign conceived together with DG COMM, both continued to serve as major promotion tools for the 30th anniversary of the Sakharov Prize. As an off- spread of the photobook the exhibition “They defend our freedoms – 30 years of Sakharov Prize” toured the Member States in 2018. It illustrates emblematic fights for human rights ideals through the stories of four Sakharov Prize fellows, portrayed by the famous photo agency Magnum.

Conference 30 Years of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, Brussels, 4 - 5 June. Embedded in a continued EU-UN commitment to universal human rights around the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration, the conference reconnected the Laureates with the European Parliament, took stock of key achievements of the Sakharov Prize Network and allowed Laureates to bond. 19 Sakharov Prize Laureates or representatives participated whereas Berta Soler (Ladies in White, Cuba 2005) and Asmaa Mahfouz (Egypt, 2011) were prevented from travelling. Ali Ferzat (Syria, 2011) and Wei Jinsheng (China, 1996) did not manage to obtain their visas.

A joint extraordinary DROI/AFET/DEVE meeting introduced by the Co-Chairs of the Sakharov Prize Network, Vice President Hautala and Patricia Gutierrez, wife of 2017 Venezuelan Sakharov Prize Laureate Daniel Ceballos, celebrated the work of human rights defenders and reflected on their support and protection. A workshop of the Sakharov Prize Network took stock of the Sakharov Fellowship Programme and the Sakharov Traineeship (with presence of fellows and trainees) as key deliveries following ideas put forward at the 25th anniversary conference of the Sakharov Prize. Laureates seized the opportunity to underline the impact the Sakharov Prize has on their lives and exchange on their current work. To the extent possible, HRAC facilitated bilateral meetings were organised for laureates with President Tajani and other Members including for Dr. Mukwege, Ensaf Haidar, Hauwa Ibrahim, Nurit Peled, BAJ, Aliaksandr Milinkevich, the Venezuelan Democratic Opposition and Nadia Murad (with the Queen of Spain).

Sakharov Fellowship for Human Rights Defenders – Brussels and Venice

Complementary to the laureates’ activities under the Sakharov Prize Network, the Sakharov Fellows act as multipliers - amplifying and carrying the spirit of the Sakharov Prize into their communities. Thus, the programme provides increased visibility for EP action in many countries, and for the Sakharov brand in particular. The programme is on track, woven into parliamentary work and well-connected to the Members as well as to key stakeholders from EP secretariat and political groups, the EEAS including EU Delegations, and DEVCO.

In its third year, the Sakharov Fellowship programme was organised around the 30th anniversary conference of the Sakharov Prize, thus enabling a cross-fertilising experience between veteran laureates and the next generation of human rights defenders.

In 2018 there were several hundred applications for the 14 available Fellowships. With two candidates dropping out for visa issues, the 12 participating Fellows originated from Armenia, Bolivia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, Sudan, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela. Their areas of activities covered: disabilities, protection of human rights defenders, political prisoners, torture, migrants, media freedom, environment, indigenous rights, gender-based violence, women’s rights, and LGBT rights.

- 32 - The Sakharov Fellows successfully completed a two-week human rights training programme in Brussels (4-8 June) and attended the human rights summer school at the European Inter- University Centre in Venice (9-16 June). The programme involved Vice-Presidents Hautala and Castaldo, DROI Chair Panzeri, MEP Ana Gomes, 16 MEPs in individual bilateral meetings with Fellows, and 10 MEPs in the 30th anniversary conference of the Sakharov Prize. 2005 laureate Hauwa Ibrahim (Nigeria), 2016 laureate Lamya Haji Bashar (Iraq) and Vice-President Hautala gave lectures at the Venice School of Human Rights;

Follow-up action to the programme included participation of Bosnian Fellow Jadranka Milicevic at an EPLO event in Dublin, Ireland on 21-23 January (cancelled due to a visa issue), participation of Georgian Fellow Salome Zurabishvili and Belarussian Fellow Andrew Shoshko (2016 Fellow from Belarus) in the EU-NGO Forum in Brussels on 20-22 November, and participation of Tunisan Fellow Asma Kaouech in a Conference on 22 November in Brussels on individual liberties and gender equality in Morocco and Tunisia as part of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Week.

Sakharov Prize Network meetings with MEPs/Committees and events

 Tatiana Glushkova representing 2009 laureate Memorial (Russia) SPN participated in a DROI Sub-Committee exchange of views on freedom of the press in Russia and the human rights situation in the Russian-occupied and disputed territories, Brussels 22 March

 Andrei Bastunets and Zhanna Litvina representing 2004 laureate Belarusian Association of Journalists participated the presentation of a study on 'Human rights in Belarus: The EU's role since 2016' in a DROI Sub-Committee meeting, Brussels 19 June

 Ensaf Haidar, wife and representative of 2015 laureate Raif Badawi, met in Ottawa with members of a DROI Subcommittee delegation on a visit to Canada, 30 October

 Ensaf Haidar further participated on 19 and 20 November during the European Parliament’s Human Rights Week in an exchange of views on the EU Human Rights policy with Saudi Arabia at a DROI Subcommittee meeting and the high-level Conference '70th Anniversary of the Universal declaration of Human Rights'.

Events involving MEPs and Sakharov Prize laureates in Member States organised in cooperation with the EP Liaison Offices (EPLOs)

The events help increase EP visibility on human rights and spread the laureates’ human rights messages to a broader public, thus raising awareness in different Member States.

2018 saw a slight decrease in demand by EPLOs to organise Sakharov Prize Network events involving laureates and citizens in the EU Member States. However, the five events scheduled in Malta, Rome, Paris and Berlin, involving AFET Chair McAllister and local MEPs were very well attended, and in some cases included meetings with members of governments.

- 33 -  Malta - Michal Janczuk representing 2004 Sakharov Prize Laureate Belarusian Association of Journalists, Pauline Ades-Mevel, representing 2005 laureate Reporters Without Borders, MEPs Metsola, Zammit Dimech and Sabt, Valletta, 2 February

 Italy - Sakharov fellow Asma Kaouech participating in a conference on Women, Media and Technologies: What future in the digital age? and in opening the exhibition “They defend our freedoms”, Rome, 9 March

 Italy - 2017 Sakharov Prize laureate Lorent Saleh from the Democratic Opposition in Venezuela participated in his first SPN event after his liberation in October 2018, a live broadcast of the Sakharov Prize Award Ceremony from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Rome 12 December

 France, Germany - the ‘European tour’ completing the Sakharov week, 2018 laureate Oleg Sentsov’s representatives Natalya Kaplan and Dimirtiy Dinze held awareness-raising events in Paris (including a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on 13 December and in Berlin (involving David McAllister) on 14 December.

- 34 - VI. Mediation and dialogue

In line with an increasing international demand for mediation, dialogue and conflict prevention activities, the EP has established a wide range of parliamentary mediation and dialogue activities to complement overall EU capacities.

Members of the European Parliament engaged in mediation and conflict prevention have been using this recognised soft power tool, including in key thematic areas, such as inter- party dialogue and consensus building, prevention of election-related violence, parliamentary support to conflict prevention and peace processes as well as the EP’s Young Political Leaders Programme primarily in the extended Neighbourhood, the Western Balkans, the CDSA’s priority countries.

The EP Mediation Support and Dialogue Unit has been further developed its working methods and continue to provide expert policy advice and practical operational support to Members active in the area of parliamentary mediation, facilitation of dialogue and conflict prevention.

 Jean Monnet Dialogues for Peace and Democracy

A particularly innovative instrument has been the Jean Monnet Dialogues. The aim of the Jean Monnet Dialogue (JMD) concept, a mediation and dialogue process launched at the historical Jean Monnet House in Bazoches, enables the EP to facilitate inter-party dialogue, thereby allowing political leaders to focus on building consensus on key issues of institutional or national reform away from the media and political spotlight of Brussels and national capitals.

Ukraine Following the first successful Jean Monnet Dialogue with the Speaker, Prime Minister and faction leaders of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in October 2016, Given the progress in the implementation of the commitments reached so far in the Jean Monnet Dialogue process with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, two more high-level Dialogues, led by former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox and Lead Member for Ukraine Elmar Brok, were organised again on 25-27 March 2018 in Lausanne and on 13-15 October 2018 in Bazoches.

By this time, the work of the European Parliament and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has received international recognition, including by the Fondation Jean Monnet pour l’Europe which contributed to this important process by providing another discreet location for the Dialogue in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The fourth and fifth Jean Monnet Dialogues, facilitated by Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament, and Elmar Brok, the EP lead Member for Ukraine, facilitated discussions over wider topics, otherwise difficult to address within the constraints of daily life in the Rada.

The Conclusions signed at the end of each Jean Monnet Dialogue by the Speaker and parliamentary party leaders covered a full list of topics where consensus was reached as well as focussed dialogue on legislative initiatives, electoral reform, the High Anti-corruption Court and the further reform of the Committee structure and competences.

- 35 - The law establishing the High Anti-Corruption Court, in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, was eventually adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in June 2018. The law is one of the conditions for continued cooperation between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund.

Western Balkans

In 2018, a JMD process was also launched with the Macedonian Sobranie, building up on the work of the 3 MEPs who acted as mediators, together with Commissioner Hahn, during the negotiations and the implementation of the Przino agreement. The 2018 annual Commission’s report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia acknowledges the JMD as a key tool for delivering on the reform priorities of the Parliament, including the amendments to the Rules of Procedure and the adoption of an Ethics Code.

The first JMD helped in building the consensus needed for the adoption of the Code of Ethics, which was later voted in plenary with a substantial crosscutting majority. Another major outcome was the setting up of a working group including MPs and Staff members to follow up on the items agreed and prepare the upcoming JMD meetings.

A JMD meeting was also held in December 2018 focusing on the Rules of Procedure and the ambitious administrative reform of the institution, providing also a much-needed platform for dialogue and consensus building to the Sobranie.

 Mediation, Facilitated Dialogue and Contribution to Conflict Prevention

Facilitated dialogue in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The capacity of the three MEPs to intervene as mediators if needed in view of the complicated political situation in the country was maintained throughout 2018, in parallel to their engagement with the JMD.

Regional Parliamentary Dialogue (RPD)

In 2018, the European Parliament provided support to a new tri-partite initiative of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. An Informal Working Group on Disinformation (IWG-D) was established with the support of the EP and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). In 2019, the EP will continue its support to the Regional Assembly and the Informal Working Group with the next expected meeting in Moldova.

Draft AFET report on building EU capacity on conflict prevention and mediation

MEP Soraya Post is the AFET rapporteur for the draft own-initiative report on building EU capacity on conflict prevention and mediation which is expected to be adopted by early 2019. The report is building on the EU Global Strategy and looks into the tools, instruments and synergies the EP can use across the EU institutions. Concretely, it suggests ways to improve the EU’s coherence and effectiveness notable with the EEAS and the Commission but also in cooperation with international (UN) and regional actors (OSCE), in conflict prevention and mediation in third countries. The report is also acknowledging the EP’s own role in mediation and conflict prevention and takes stock of the lessons learned in this field.

- 36 - Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Ukraine

The first Pre-Election Assessment Mission in the OSCE area and the first time jointly with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) took place to Ukraine from 12-17 November 2018. It resulted in a successful implementation of a new methodology with the mission being divided into two phases, a technical assessment carried out at staff level and followed by a political phase with full participation of MEPs. The delegation was received at the highest levels including President, Prime Minister, leading expected Presidential Candidates, Civil Society, Media, Central Election Commission, and National Public Broadcaster. The final Joint Statement includes seven priority, out of 51, recommendations. The majority of counter-parts appreciated the symbolism of Trans-Atlantic unity and support to Ukraine, particularly as the country is facing a number of difficult challenges not least an increase in disinformation and cyber-attacks ahead of the elections (e.g. see recommendations on Facebook and disinformation). The Joint Statement is one of the first by the international community of observers and represents a substantial input in preparation for an expected European Parliament Election Observation Delegation to the Presidential elections in March 2019.

Training on Conflict Prevention and Mediation for MEPs and Chief Observers

Since 2017, on the initiative of DEG, the EP catalogue of training for Members of the European Parliament includes a new Parliamentary Mediation Training Programme. In addition, “train the trainers” approach will be organised for staff members of partner parliaments (e.g. the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and in framework of JMD).

In 2018, the EP contributed for a second year in a row to the European External Action Service High Level Coaching Seminar for EU Ambassadors and EU Special Representatives.

 Young Political Leaders (YPL) Programme

Supported by the DEG Lead-Member for the Young Political leaders Programme, Mr Fabio Castaldo, the implementation of the second Annual Programme for 2018 focused on:

Armenia and Azerbaijan

The YPL Programme included for a second year in a row an event on Armenia and Azerbaijan fostering dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, bringing together 9 participants from each country, coming from political parties, the non-government sector and academia. The programme’s ambition was again to encourage young leaders to be a critical part of the peaceful dialogue and the search for solutions to the conflict between the two countries.

The three day programme included sessions with MEPs in key institutional roles vis-a-vis the region, academics and two focussed facilitated case studies introducing the group to the Northern Ireland Peace Process and on the role of Peace-builders in conflict. The facilitators directed the group to reflect on their own situations and identify opportunities for their own contexts.

- 37 - The YPL initiative has a demonstrable value added to the overall EU approach in the region of supporting the peace process by involving societies and preparing them for peaceful solution. It also supports the work of the key EU initiative in the region - the European Partnership for the Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (EPNK), by including for the second consecutive year, key young political leaders from the core team of the initiative amongst the participants and discussing ongoing EPNK projects.

Western Balkans

In the 2018 we further developing the successful Western Balkans regional platform “Bridging the Gap” which brings together young parliamentarians with youth organisations activists for a two days high profile conference. The cooperation with DG NEAR and the JRC was extended this year with the inclusion of four thematic Policy Labs - Youth engagement with politics, Youth Employment, Enterprise and Brain Drain, Fake News and Disinformation as well as Reconciliation and Legacies of the Past.

The Labs presented a blueprint for setting up national platforms on promoting youth policies and youth participation. There was a strong regional ownership with the Macedonian Sobranie hosting the event in September and acting as a full-fledged partner both in terms of content and logistical aspects of the programme.

Youth, Peace and Security

The “EU Conference on Youth, Peace and Security”, taking place in the EP on 23-24 May 2018, represented a milestone in the EU's engagement in the agenda, and promoted EU-UN cooperation on youth in peacebuilding. Since the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (UNSCR 2250) in 2015, the EU has been stepping up the work on the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda. The Youth, Peace and Security conference delivered on the goals envisaged in the DEG 2018 Annual Work Programme and the European Parliament's Young Political Leaders' Programme (YPL). This event, which was co-hosted by the EEAS and the EP, was unique in the way it brought together both high- level participants from the EU and the UN, combined with a very diverse range of civil society actors, especially youth organisations across the EU and globally. The EP was very well represented by the President, Vice-Presidents and MEPs as well as several EP YPLs which gave the event a high degree of visibility as demonstrated by the active social media coverage and web-streaming of the event.

- 38 - VII. International events and conferences on democracy

High-Level Conference on the Future of International Election Observation - 10 and 11 October 2018

A High-Level Conference on the Future of International Election Observation was jointly organised by the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group and the European External Action Service on 10-11 October 2018. The conference was opened by Mr Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament and other high ranking representatives from the EU, the UN and the African Union, and wrapped up by Ms Mairead McGuinness, First Vice- President of the European Parliament, Mr Roger Nkodo Dang, Speaker of the Pan-African Parliament and Ms Federica Mogherini, HRVP.

Through a series of panel debates, over 400 participants - gathering MEPs, former heads of government, national parliamentarians, representatives of international organisations, election observers, donors and civil society - addressed the major challenges confronting electoral observation and the integrity of democratic elections. These included the rising use of information technology in elections management, the challenge posed by the misuse of social media and disinformation, and how to prevent electoral violence.

A number of conclusions and recommendations emerging from the conference would be taken forward by the EU Institutions. The conference also addressed how to strengthen trilateral co-operation (EU/AU/UN) in this area, and generated support for concrete actions to be adopted by the different parliamentary assemblies to ensure greatest level of independence and impartiality during election observations.

International Day of Democracy 18 September 2018

On 18 September 2018, for the third year in a row, the European Parliament hosted a conference to mark the International Day of Democracy. The event, which is aimed in particular at the community of democracy support practitioners, took place in association with the European External Action Service, the European Commission and four democracy support organisations: the European Endowment for Democracy, the European Network of Political Foundations, the European Partnership for Democracy, and the Office of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

The conference attracted more than 200 participants with around 20 external speakers, including former Members involved in democracy support - Edward McMillan Scott and Véronique de Keyser, as well as former EP Vice President and current EU Special Representative for human rights, Stavros Lambrinidis. There was a video message from HR/VP Federica Mogherini. In cooperation with the Pre Accession Unit (PAAC), six MPs from the Western Balkans and Turkey were also present.

In the first session, entitled “EU Leadership for Democracy: Internal and External dimensions”, speakers noted that the EU is seen as an important supporter of democracy worldwide and examined how an EU leadership based on such values can become more effective, particularly against a backdrop of shrinking of civil space in some EU Member States in recent years. In the second session entitled “Advancing democracy through

- 39 - inclusion”, participants looked at the challenges faced both within Europe and externally in ensuring more effective representation and participation of all citizens.

The plenary discussions were followed by four workshops covering the following subjects: technology and the changing public sphere (social media misuse/crisis of legitimacy and credibility); political leadership for engagement (globalisation and voters’ alienation); advancing democracy through female leadership (practical solutions to achieve gender equality); and the state and future of democracy (“autocratisation” and the decline of democracy in the context of the Varieties of Democracy database).

DROI hearing, in association with DEG, on “Human Rights enhancement via democracy support” - 19 June 2018

The hearing, organised on 19 June, addressed the issue of how to promote human rights and the rule of law throughout the electoral process, with a focus on the influential role played by election observation missions (EOMs). Best practices for a meaningful and consistent follow- up to election observation recommendations were also discussed. Focusing on the roles of the executive, the parliament and civil society, speakers presented case studies on Nigeria, Pakistan and Timor Leste to illustrate the variety of tools and issues at stake.

The hearing highlighted that - just as elections are not one-off events - election observation missions are not ad hoc tools. For these missions to be effective, they must be perceived as long-term EU democracy instruments that bring positive change, propose reforms to fill the gaps in countries' democratic systems, and advance human rights and fundamental values.

EU UNDP conference - 8 to 10 October 2018

From 8 to 10 October 2018 the EU-UNDP Global Conference entitled “Sustaining Peace through Elections” took place in Brussels. The European Parliament co-organised the conference together with the European External Action Service, DG DEVCO and the UNDP. It was coordinated by the EC-UNDP Joint Task Force on Electoral Assistance. The conference was part of the wider project aimed to develop a toolbox on electoral conflict prevention, for use by the EU Delegations and UNDP Country offices in designing joint activities. The conference was opened as well by Pietro Ducci, Acting Director-General for External Policies, in the name of the European Parliament.

Three Members of the European Parliament gave their contribution in the panels of the conference adding their experience and political perspective of the process. Marietje Schaake (ALDE, the Netherlands) spoke on the panel of Electoral Justice as a central feature of credible and stable electoral processes as a primordial tool for the establishment and the prevention of the use of electoral violence. Judith Sargentini (Greens, the Netherlands) shared her experience as a former Chief EU Observer during the elections in Tanzania and in Mozambique in the session focused on Dialogue and Diplomacy. Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany) addressed the session on Democracy Strengthening as a holistic approach of conflict prevention. He focused on the case of Tunisia, for which he is a Lead Member in the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG).

The conference brought together nearly 200 participants from more than 60 countries, including representatives from 20 Electoral Management Bodies, representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as high-level government officials. During the

- 40 - discussions experts identified democratic strengthening approaches as essential components to the prevention of election-related violence. Such strategies are not limited to the pre- electoral, electoral and post-electoral periods, but should be developed throughout the whole electoral cycle.

- 41 - Annex 1

Composition of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG)

Co-Chairs

NAME GROUP Mr David McALLISTER (Chair AFET) EPP Ms Linda McAVAN (Chair DEVE) S&D

Members

NAME GROUP Mr Michael GAHLER EPP Mr Cristian Dan PREDA EPP Mr Andrzej GRZYB EPP Ms Inés AYALA SENDER (Chair of the Conference S&D of Delegation Chairs) Ms Elena VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO S&D Mr David MARTIN S&D Mr Ryszard CZARNECKI ECR Ms Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA ALDE Ms Judith SARGENTINI Greens/EFA Ms Marie-Christine VERGIAT GUE/NGL Mr Fabio Massimo CASTALDO EFDD

Ex-officio Members (without voting rights)

NAME Mr Pavel TELIČKA, EP Vice-President responsible for Human Rights and Democracy Mr Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, EP Vice-President responsible for Human Rights and Democracy Ms Heidi HAUTALA, EP Vice-President responsible for the Sakharov Prize Network Mr Pier Antonio PANZERI, Chair of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights

- 42 - Annex 2

Lead members on DEG priority countries/regions

Ukraine Elmar BROK (EPP, DE) Georgia Ana GOMES (S&D, PT)

Moldova Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (ALDE, LT) Tunisia Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) Morocco Antonio PANZERI (S&D, IT) Peru Renate WEBER (ALDE, RO) Nigeria Santiago FISAS AYXELA (EPP, ES) Western Balkans & Turkey Eduard KUKAN (EPP, SK) Pan African Parliament Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) Myanmar Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL) Tanzania David MARTIN (S&D, UK) Young Political Leaders Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFDD, IT)

- 43 - Annex 3

Contacts

Directorate-General for External Policies Directorate D: Democracy Support

Phone SERVICE/ Brussels Contact E-MAIL UNIT +32 2 28 + Strasbourg +33 3 881 + Directorate D: Director: Pietro DUCCI [email protected] 46656 Democracy Support 72491

Democracy and 32782 Head of Unit: Elections Actions [email protected] 74059 Cristina CASTAGNIOLI Unit Pre-Accession-Actions- 32685 Pre-accession Actions Head of Unit: [email protected] 64061 Unit Krzysztof BERNACKI

Head of Unit f.f.: HumanRights- 46014 1 January -30 September - [email protected] 72619 Human Rights Inga ROSINSKA Actions Unit 1 October to present Stefan KRAUSS

[email protected] 32260 Mediation Support Head of Unit 74780 Unit Gerrard QUILLE

- 44 - Annex 4

Directorate -General for External Policies of the Union - Directorate D: Democracy Support 8th legislature Implementation of the 2018 work programme as endorsed by the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) (including MEPs - primarily involved) UPDATED: / /2018 NB: for further details please contact the respective secretariats

Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings 15/01/2018-09/02/2018: Democracy 22/01/2018-23/01/2018: Study visit 29/01/2018-01/02/2018: CDSA January Fellow from Georgia for newly elected MPs from Nigeria “developing a culture of Albania, Kosovo and the Former parliamentarism and the role of 18/01/2018 DEG Meeting, including Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia political parties” visit in Brussels decision to continue to work on (MEPs Juan Fernando Lopez democracy support activities with Aguilar, Ana Gomes, Maria Arena, Grand National Assembly of Turkey Marietje Schaake, Charles Tannock, Michael Gahler, Judith Sargentini) 22/01/2018-24/01/2018: Seminar in Brussels on participative democracy and the roles of the petitions committee with Moroccan House of Representatives delegation

23/25/2018-25/01/2018: Visit to Brussels by delegation from the Gambia

29/01/2018-30/01/2018: Visit of Nigerian parliamentarians on developing a culture of Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings parliamentarianism

15/02/2018-16/02/2018: Seminar in 02/02/2018: Sakharov Prize 22/02/2018: Post-election Activity February Lima, Peru Network (SPN) event in cooperation with Gambia - visit in Brussels with EPLO Malta, Michal Janczuk (with DEAC) 19/02/2018 - 21/02/2018 Study visit representing Sakharov Prize to Brussels of senior staff of the Laureate (SPL) Belarusian 25-27/02/2018: Mission of three Moldovan Parliament focusing on Association of Journalists (2004), MEPs to the Macedonian Sobrianie, managing the pre and post-election Pauline Ades-Mevel, representing Skopje, preparation of the 1st JMD transition of a parliament SPL Reportens Without Borders (Eduard Kukan, Knut Fleckenstein, (2005), MEPs Metsola, Zammit Ivo Vajgl) 20/02/2018-22/02/2018: Study visit Dimech and Sabt, Valletta to Brussels of MPs and staff from the Gambia providing an overview 20/02/2018-21/02/2018: Study visit of the EP of Members from the Gender Equality Committee of the 27/02/2018-28/02/2018: Study visit Parliament of Montenegro and to Brussels of MPs from the representatives of Montenegro's Parliament of Georgia covering Women's Political Network (4 MPs, parliamentary oversight 9 + 3 MEPs), Brussels

20/02/2018-22/02/2018: Human rights component of the Study visit of Members of the Gambian National Assembly, 8 MPs and 4 staff members, Brussels 04/03/2018: EOM to El Salvador 09/03/2018: SPN event in 05/03/2018-07/03/2018: YPL - March (Head of EP Delegation Javier cooperation with EPLO Rome, Eastern Partnership & Russia: focus Lopez) Sakharov fellow Asma Kaouech on Nagorno-Karabakh - visit in participating in conference ‘Women, Brussels 07/03/2018: EOM to Sierra Leone Media and Technologies: What (Fabio Castaldo) (Head of EP Delegation Neena Gill) future in the digital age?’ and exhibition ‘They defend our 05/03/2018-07/03/2018: Mission of 15/03/2018 DEG meeting, including freedoms’, Rome Pat Cox and Elmar Brok to Kiev to

- 46 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings presentation of Court of Auditors start preparing the 4th Jean Monnet Special report on EU EOMs and 12/03/2018: EP and SPN component Dialogue and to participate in a “parliamentary electoral dialogues” to International Film Festival and conference on NAM + 2 years on the implementation of EOM Forum on Human Rights, screening recommendations of ‘Women of the Venezuelan 25/03/2018-27/03/2018: 4th Jean Chaos’ and debate joined by SPL Monnet Dialogue for the Verkhovna 19/03/2018 -23/03/2018: Democracy 2017 Leopoldo Lopez’ wife Lilian Rada of Ukraine, Lausanne Fellow from Georgia Tintori via Skype, exhibition ‘They (Elmar Brok, Pat Cox) defend our freedoms’, Geneva

19/03/2018-20/03/2018: Conference ‘Networking and advocacy strategies for Human Rights Defenders from Central Asia and South Caucasus’, 28 human rights defenders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, MEPs Preda, Tokes and Stetina, Brussels

22/03/2018: SPN participation in DROI Committee meeting ‘Exchange of views on freedom of the press in Russia and the human rights situation in the Russian- occupied and disputed territories’, Tatiana Glushkova representing Memorial (2009, Russia), Brussels

11/04/20418: The Pre-Accession 25/04/2018: One World Human 16-18/04/2018: PAP on conflict April 15/04/2018: IEOM to Montenegro Instrument on Rural Development Rights Documentary Film Festival, prevention/consensus building (with (Head of EP Delegation Fabio (IPARD): Lessons learnt and future ‘Women of the Venezuelan Chaos’ DEAC) Massimo Castaldo) prospects, Belgrade, in cooperation and debate, Maria-Alejandra with AFET and AGRI Aristeguieta representing 2017 SPL 24/04/2018: Extraordinary DEG

- 47 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings 16/04/2018-18/04/2018: PAP visit to (5 MEPs: Mr Czesław Siekierski, Venezuelan opposition, VP Telička Meeting on Zimbabwe (with DEAC) Brussels on strengthening capacities Ms Maria Gabriela Zoană, Mr Ivari by video message, MEP Becerra, related to “Election Observation, Padar, Mr Angel Dzhambazki, and Brussels Conflict Prevention and Mediation” Ms Eleni Theocharous (ECR, CY)). in Brussels 09/042018-18/05/2018: Pre- 22/04/2018: EOM to Paraguay Accession Fellow, from the National (Head of EP Delegation José Ignacio Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra) Mr Miloš Marić (DG EXPO, Directorate for Committees, 25/04/2018 Extraordinary DEG Secretariat of the Subcommittee on meeting on the pre-electoral Security and Defence), Brussels situation in Zimbabwe 23/04/2018-01/06/2018: Pre- Accession Fellow, from the National Assembly of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ms Vjolca Bajrami (DG COMM, Directorate for Media, Press Unit), Brussels

06/05/2018: EOM to Lebanon (Head 14/05/2018-22/06/2018: Pre- 05/05/2018: SPN at the Open Day, 17/05/2018-19/05/2018: 1st Jean May of EP Delegation José Ignacio Accession Fellow, from the ‘Issue of fake news and trust in the Monnet Dialogue for the Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra) Parliament of Montenegro, Ms relationship between politicians, Macedonian Sobranie (MEPs Jelena Ulić (DG EPRS - Directorate media and citizens’, Christophe Kukan, Vajgl, Fleckenstein) in 06/05/2018: EOM to Tunisia (Head Members' Research Service - Deloire representing Reporters Ohrid of EP Delegation Santiago Fisas Economic Policies Unit), Brussels Without Borders (2005), Brussels Ayxela) 14/05/2018-22/06/2018: Pre- 23/05/2018-24/05/2018: YPL - YPS Accession Fellow, from the - EU conference - UNSC Resolution Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and and Herzegovina, Mr Adnan Bešić Security, in Brussels (DG LINC, Directorate for Translation, Croatian Translation

- 48 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings Unit), Luxembourg

June 04/0/2018 - 08/06/2018 Nigerian 15/05/2018 “Upholding the freedom 01/06/2018-02/06/2018 SPN at the 08/06/2018-09/06/2018 Regional staff delegation visit to Brussels on of expression, including media European Youth Event (EYE), Parliamentary Dialogue with committee and plenary work, freedom, in the EU and beyond”, ‘Changing Africa: New perspectives Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine on Prague, in cooperation with the in the smartphone era’, Dr Denis democracy 07/06/2018: Seminar on gender Czech Parliament, AFET, LIBE and Mukwege (2014, DRC), MEP (Rebecca Harms, Michael Gahler, issues with Moroccan House of CULT with support from HRAC. Kyenge; ‘Voices of humanity’, Dr Petras Austrevicius) Representatives delegation (5 MEPs: Ms Barbara Spinelli, Ms Mukwege and Lamya Haji Bashar Michaela Šojdrová, Mr Tomáš (2016, Iraq), VP Wieland, 08/06/2018-09/06/2018: 14/06/2018 DEG including adoption Zdechovský, Ms Eleni Theocharous Strasbourg Preparations of 5th JMD with of EP election priorities for 2nd half and Mr Jiří Payne. Ukraine & Follow up on the 4th of 2018 and debate on EOMs for 04/06/2018-05/06/2018: Conference JMD (Pat Cox) 2nd half of 2018 04/06/2018-13/07/2018: Pre- ‘30 Years of the Sakharov Prize’, Accession Fellow, from the joint extraordinary 19/06/2018-20/06/2018: YPL/CDSA 19/06/2018 DROI hearing, in Parliament of Albania, Ms Jerina DROI/AFET/DEVE meeting, Nigeria - Visit of Nigerian Youth association with DEG, on “Human Luka (DG COMM - Directorate for Sakharov anniversary workshop. chairs in Brussels (with DEAC) Rights enhancement via democracy Campaigns - Web Communication Participation of 19 SPLs or their support” Unit), Brussels representatives, President Tajani, VP Hautala, VP Castaldo, DEVE Chair 19/06/2018-20/06/2018: Visit by McAvan, DROI Chair Panzeri, 17 Nigerian youth delegation to MEPs and individual meetings, Brussels focussing on youth Brussels strategies and policies 4/06/2018-16/06/2018: Sakharov Fellowship, 2 week programme for 12 fellows, participation in Sakharov 30th anniversary conference and in the workshop with laureates and MEPs, DROI Chair Panzeri, MEP Gomes and individual meetings with 16 MEPs, Brussels and Venice

- 49 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings

09/06/2018: SPL Hauwa Ibrahim (2005, Nigeria) at the Venice School of Human Rights, Opening lecture, Venice

10/06/2018: SPN at the Open Day, Antoine Bernard representing Reporters Without Borders (2005), Strasbourg

13/06/2018: SPL Lamya Haji Bashar (2016, Iraq) at the Venice School of Human Rights, ‘The Case of Yazidi Women’, Venice

15/06/2018: VP Hautala at the Venice School of Human Rights, ‘The Role of the EU, How the European Parliament Addresses the Human Rights Cases’, Venice

14/06/2018-15/06/2018: Western Balkan journalists and media aspect of the Interparliamentary Conference ‘Upholding the Freedom of Expression, Including Media Freedom, in the EU and Beyond’, 9 journalists, Prague

19/06/2018: SPN participation in DROI Committee meeting, ‘Presentation of a study on 'Human rights in Belarus: The EU's role

- 50 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings since 2016’, Andrei Bastunets and Zhanna Litvina representing Belarusian Association of Journalists (2004), Brussels

27/06/2018: European Endowment for Democracy (EED) Board of Governors meeting, Brussels

27/06/2018: Conference ‘Supporting People Striving for Democracy’, 5th Anniversary of the EED, VP Telička, VP Hautala, DEVE Chair McAvan, MEPs Brok, Auštrevičius, Fleckenstein, Grzyb, Preda, Wenta, and Meszerics, diplomats, EED grantees, NGOs, Brussels

25/07/2018: EOM to Pakistan (Head 11/07/2018-12/07/2018: Sound 16/07/2018-17/07/2018: Mission of July of EP Delegation Jean Lambert) management of EU funds: the EP Ivo Vajgl to Skopje, follow up on budgetary control powers, Brussels the 1st JMD 30/07/2018: EOM to Zimbabwe in cooperation with COBU. (Head of EP Delegation Norbert Election Observation Mission to Neuser) Zimbabwe (with DEAC) - support to the Chief Observer Elmar Brok

August

13/09/2018 DEG meeting - 10/09/2018-19/10/2018: Pre- 13/09/2018-15/09/2018: Mission to September Adoption of joint Code of Conduct Accession Fellow, from the Kiev, Pat Cox - Preparatory for parliamentary delegations Parliament of Montenegro, Ms meetings for the 5th JMD observing elections in OSCE region Marija Vulić (DG INLO - Directorate for Buildings Projects of 20/09/2018-21/09/2018: Young

- 51 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings 18/09/2018 International Day of the European Parliament), Brussels Political Leaders Programme - Democracy event hosted by EP in Western Balkans (MEP Fabio Brussels “EU Leadership for 17/09/2018-26/10/2018: Pre- Castaldo) in Skopje democracy: internal and external Accession Fellow, from the dimensions” Assembly of Kosovo, Mr Visar 20-21/09/2018: Mission to Skopje Krasniqi (DG IPOL - Directorate for with 3 MEPs - Follow up on the 1st 21/09/2018-22/09/2018: Fact- Citizen's Rights and Constitutional JMD and preparatory meetings for finding mission by Lead Member Affairs – Secretariat of the the 2nd JMD Ana Gomes to Georgia Committee on Legal Affairs), (Eduard Kukan, Knut Fleckenstein, Brussels Ivo Vajgl)

01/10/2018-04/10/2018: Seminar 05/10/2018: A parliamentary 31/10/2018: Meeting of Ensaf 05/10/2018-06/10/2018: CDSA October with Tunisian delegation on perspective on the role and the Haidar, wife of Raif Badawi (2015, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - Parliamentary diplomacy future of EU accession process, Saudi Arabia) with DROI Chair Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Sofia, in cooperation with the Panzeri and other Members of DROI (Ana Gomes, Michael Gahler) 01/10/2018-12/10/2018: Democracy National Assembly of Bulgaria and ad hoc mission to Canada, Ottawa Fellow from Moldova in DG TRAD AFET 08/10/2018-10/10/2018: EU-UNDP (4 MEPs: Lívia Járóka, Eduard Global conference in Brussels on 07/10/2018: EOM in Bosnia Kukan, Julie Ward, Georgi Pirinski. Sustaining peace through elections (, Herzegovina (Head of Delegation Judith Sargentini, Michael Gahler Frank Engel) and Marietje Schaake)

08/10/18-18/10/2018: Democracy 11/10/2018-13/10/2018: 5th Jean Fellow from Moldova in DG LINC Monnet Dialogue for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Bazoches 08/10/18-19/10/2018: Democracy (Pat Cox, Elmar Brok) Fellow from Moldova in DG PRES

10 - 11/10/2018 High Level Conference on the future of International Election Observation, including presence of President Tajani and HR/VP Mogherini

- 52 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings 25/10 DEG. including exchange of views with Commission and EEAS on Democracy support component in the new external financial instruments 2021

28/10/2018: IEOM in Georgia (Head of Delegation Laima Andrikiene) 07/11/2018: EOM to Madagascar 27/11/2018: High-level Round 19/11/2018-20/11/2018: SPN 12/11/2018-17/11/2018: Pre-election November (Head of EP Delegation Lidia Table: the European integration participation in DROI Committee Mission to Ukraine Geringer de Odenberg) process of Western Balkans in a meeting, ‘Exchange of views on the (Dariusz Rosati, Rebecca Harms) regional perspective, Brussels in EU Human Rights policy with Saudi 19/11/2018-22/11/2018: Visit of cooperation with AFET, HRAC Arabia’, Ensaf Haidar, wife of Raif Tunisian young diplomats to and EP Delegations for relations Badawi, Brussels European Parliament with the countries of Western Balkans 20/11/2018-22/11/2018: ‘Universal 26/11/2018-28/11/2018: Joint visit Declaration of Human Rights with (18 MEPs: Mr McAllister, Mr to Brussels by delegations of the ELYX’, exhibition with the first UN Kukan, Mr Panzeri Ms Macovei, Mr National Assembly of Niger and digital Ambassador, Brussels Picula, Mr Peterle, Mr Martin, Mr Cote d’Ivoire on overview of EP Dan Preda, Mr Šoltes, Mr 21/11/2018-22/11/2018 : Sakharov Fleckenstein, Mr Vajgl Mr Tannock, 29/11/2018: IEOM to Georgia (Head fellows at the EU-NGO Forum, Ms Schaake, Mr Dzhambazki, Mr of Delegation Laima Andrikiene) Salome Zurabishvili (Georgia) and Meszerics, Mr Castaldo, Mr Radoš, Andrei Shoshko (Belarus), Brussels Mr Kovatchev) 05/11/2018-14/12/2018: Pre- 22/11/2018: Conference ‘Libertés Accession Fellow, from the Grand individuelles et égalité du genre en Assembly of Turkey, Mr Ersin Tunisie at au Maroc - un regard Aydin (DG EXPO – Secretariat of croisé sur les débats de société en the Committee on Foreign Affairs), cours’, CDC Chair Ayala Sender, Brussels MEPs Pargneaux and Vergiat, Brussels

- 53 - Month DEAC PAAC HRAC EPMS Democracy and Elections Pre-Accession Actions Unit Human Rights Actions Unit European Parliament Actions Unit + main points Mediation Unit from DEG meetings 03/12/2018-05/12/2018: Visit of 05/12/2018: European Endowment 04/12/2018-05/12/2018: Preparatory December Nigerian staff delegation to Brussels for Democracy (EED) Board of Mission to Skopje in the context of on committee and plenary work Governors meeting, Brussels the JMD process with the Sobranie (Knut Fleckenstein, David 09/12/2018: IEOM to Armenia 10/12/2018-12/12/2018: Sakharov McAllister) (Head of EP Delegation Heidi Prize Week with Natalya Kaplan and Hautala) Dmitriy Dinze, representing 2018 laureate Oleg Sentsov (Ukraine), 17/12/2018-18/12/2018: Mission to 17/12/2018 DEG including award ceremony, joint Skopje, 2nd Jean Monnet Dialogue agreement on revisions to AFET/DEVE/DROI meeting, with the Sobranie (Ivo Vajgl, Eduard Implementing Provisions governing meetings with political groups, Kukan, Knut Fleckenstein) Election Observation; procedures for seminars with students and unofficial election observation; EP journalists, Strasbourg. election observation in first half of 2019; Annual Work Programme for 12/12/2018: SPN event in first half of 2019. cooperation with EPLO Rome, Lorent Saleh (2017, Venezuela), 19/12/2018: EOM to Madagascar Rome (Head of EP Delegation Lidia Geringer de Odenberg) 13/12/2018: SPN event in cooperation with EPLO Paris, N. Kaplan / D. Dinze, Paris

14/12/2018: SPN event in cooperation with EPLO Berlin, N. Kaplan D. Dinze and MEP Harms, Berlin

- 54 -