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OSCE Skopje Mission holds forum on political parties and democratic development
SKOPJE 30 November 2005
SKOPJE, 30 November - Participants of a forum on political parties and democratic development, organized today by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, recommended that parties continue to work on their own development, particularly in terms of election reform.
The event took place as the country is in the process of finalising a new Election Code that will unify elections related legislation and instigate reforms in the electoral process. The forum focused on the role of political parties in society, and in the election process, and on linking domestic political parties with Europe.
"There can be no democracy without political parties," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, the Head of the OSCE Mission. "The International Community can offer support in your further endeavours."
Julian Peel Yates, who has headed a number of election observation missions of the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said: "What is needed is not so much a reform of legislation, but reform of attitudes and fundamentally, behaviour. In order to ensure good elections, the parties' determination to behave democratically must override the desire to win at all costs."
Participants agreed that the Government has a responsibility to ensure an effective and timely legislative framework for elections, but also that there is a need for increased internal democracy within the political parties, more effective party programmes and most importantly increased accountability.
Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, the Special Representative of the European Union and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, said: "With general elections scheduled for next year, the country faces a crucial test as it pursues its journey towards the ultimate objective of EU membership."
Recommendations of the forum will be compiled by the OSCE Mission and shared with both the authorities and with the ODIHR.
The event took place as the country is in the process of finalising a new Election Code that will unify elections related legislation and instigate reforms in the electoral process. The forum focused on the role of political parties in society, and in the election process, and on linking domestic political parties with Europe.
"There can be no democracy without political parties," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, the Head of the OSCE Mission. "The International Community can offer support in your further endeavours."
Julian Peel Yates, who has headed a number of election observation missions of the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said: "What is needed is not so much a reform of legislation, but reform of attitudes and fundamentally, behaviour. In order to ensure good elections, the parties' determination to behave democratically must override the desire to win at all costs."
Participants agreed that the Government has a responsibility to ensure an effective and timely legislative framework for elections, but also that there is a need for increased internal democracy within the political parties, more effective party programmes and most importantly increased accountability.
Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, the Special Representative of the European Union and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, said: "With general elections scheduled for next year, the country faces a crucial test as it pursues its journey towards the ultimate objective of EU membership."
Recommendations of the forum will be compiled by the OSCE Mission and shared with both the authorities and with the ODIHR.