Details

Introduction

The workshop is part of a Dialogue Programme of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for representatives of non-governmental partner organisations from the Middle East and Southern Mediterranean taking place from the 24th to 28th September 2007 in Berlin and Brussels and focusing on democracy promotion and the development of the rule of law in the region under the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument.

The Consolidation of the rule of law and the modernization of justice systems present a priority for governments and civil society in all Mediterranean countries and are also part of the cooperation agreements between the European Union and these countries. The circumstances of individual countries, however, remain very different with regard to the practical follow-up of political declarations concerning the general level of protection of individual rights and the equality before the law, the state abiding by law and of providing efficient and impartial justice.

The European Union as an important political player in the region has been negotiating the European Neighborhood Policy Action plans in the framework of the new European Neighborhood Policy. This new policy framework differs from the political declarations in the Barcelona process in this respect, that political decision makers in the region seem to be more willing to compare and monitor progress of their respective commitments to foster democratic principles and rule of law development. Nevertheless the effectiveness of ENPI and the outcome of national reforms depend highly on the leadership of North African and Near East Governments and their positive/negative attitude to political or economic reforms and to democratization in the respective countries.

For more than forty years the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is engaged in the promotion of democracy and the rule of law. With this Dialogue Program we aim at deepening the constructive discussions between the representatives from our partner organisations, officials and experts of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin/Brussels and representatives from the European Union Institutions in Brussels (European Commission, Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, Think Tanks, Civil Society) in charge of relations with Near and Middle East and North African countries.

Programme

13:45 Welcome and Introduction

Dr. Peter Köppinger

Project Director Development Cooperation,

Konrad-Adenauer-Stifung, European Office Brussels,

14:00First Panel

“Status and perspectives of the rule of law and democratic development - experiences from the Southern

Mediterranean and the Middle East”

Chair/Moderator

Thomas Birringer,

Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation to the Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Palestine

Panelists

Ahmed Osama Mohamed Abudoma,

Chairman, Al Karma Center for Human Rights, Egypt

Eli Rekhess,

University of Tel Aviv, Director KAS-Programme for Jewish-Arabic cooperation, Israel

Oraib Rentawi,

Al Quds Center for Political Studies, Jordan

Oussama Safa,

General Director Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, Lebanon

Dr. Ghassan Faramand,

General Director of the Institute of Law at Birzeit University, Palestine

Dr. Taieb Baccouche,

Arab Institute for Human Rights, Tunisia

15:45 Coffee Break

16:00Open Discussion

17:00Second Panel

“The EU’s approach to the promotion of the rule of law and democracy in the Southern Mediterranean and in the Middle East”

Moderator

N.N.,

CEPS (Center for European Policy Studies), (tbc)

Panelists:

Christian Jouret,

Head of Unit, General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, Directorate General E, Middle East, Mediterranean Region Unit (tbc)

Leonidas Tezapsidis,

Head of Unit Near East, European Commission, DG External Relations (tbc)

Emanuela Farris,

Political Advisor, European Peoples Party (tbc)

Amel Boubekeur,

Research Fellow and Leader of the Islam and Europe Programme at CEPS, Center for European Policy Studies (tbc)

18:00Open Discussion

18:45Conclusion and Closing Remarks

19:00 Dinner Reception