Press Release Council of Europe Press Division Ref: 128a05 Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60 Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11 [email protected] internet: www.coe.int/press
46 members Going Beyond Dayton – Council of Europe Venice Commission’s opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina constitution Albania
Andorra Armenia Strasbourg, 14.03.2005 - The Council of Europe Venice Commission has concluded that Austria the present constitutional arrangements in Bosnia and Herzegovina are neither rational Azerbaijan nor efficient and not even sustainable. Belgium Bosnia and It gave its opinion at a plenary session on 11 March 2005, following a request from the Herzegovina Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly to study this subject as well as whether the Bulgaria powers of the High Representative are compatible with the country being a member of Croatia the Council of Europe. Cyprus
Czech Republic Denmark The Commission concluded that with the present constitution, which is part of the Estonia Dayton Peace Agreement, the country cannot make further progress towards European Finland integration. France Georgia The Commission also recommended drastic reforms for the short, medium and long Germany term. As priorities: Greece < the powers of the state level have to be strengthened; Hungary Iceland the powers of the Cantons within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ireland have to be curtailed or these cantons abolished; Italy political and administrative structures have to be simplified; Latvia decision-making processes at all levels have to be streamlined and ethnic Liechtenstein vetoes reduced. Lithuania Luxembourg The Commission acknowledged the need for the powers of the High Representative in Malta the past and the crucial positive role the various High Representatives have played. Moldova Monaco However, it said that these powers should now be gradually phased out and that, as far Netherlands as decisions affecting individuals are concerned, new legal safeguards should be Norway introduced. Poland Portugal The opinion of the Commission is not binding but will be taken up by the Parliamentary Romania Assembly. It is expected to result in major discussions within Bosnia and Herzegovina Russia itself. San Marino Serbia and The text of the adopted opinion is public and will be available on the Venice Montenegro Slovakia Commission’s website shortly after the session: www.venice.coe.int . Slovenia Spain The Venice Commission (or the European Commission for Democracy through Law) is Sweden the Council of Europe’s expert body on constitutional affairs. Switzerland “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom
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