On June 29 the European Commission invited all interested parties, i.e. grass roots organisations, trade unions, employers' organisations, professional associations, NGOs, think-tanks, non-profit foundations, national and international CSOs/networks and other relevant Civil Society actors, to submit their Expressions of interest to participate in the first Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum [16 KB] .

Altogether 439 expressions of interests were received before the deadline, (extended to 3 September) ( Expressions of interests to participate in the first meeting of the CSF [25 KB] ). This demonstrates considerable interest of Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership initiative.

A short analysis of the results, description of the selection process and of the next steps leading to the first gathering of the Civil Society Forum on 16-17 November 2009 in Brussels can be found here [25 KB] here [25 KB]

The initial Forum's meeting was held on 16-17 November 2009 and revealed great potential for stronger involvement of Civil Society Organisations within the Eastern Partnership ( Programme of the Forum [106 KB] 09/11/09). Around 200 Civil Society Organisations took part, of these more than 140 were from the EaP countries ( List of CSOs which participated int he CSF on 16-17 November 2009 [64 KB] ). The participants collaborated in four working groups:

- on democracy, human rights, good governance and stability;
- on economic integration and convergence with the EU policies;
- environment, climate change and energy security;
- contacts between people.

The final session of the Forum was attended by the then Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Carl Bildt and the President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Mr. Marion Sepi ( Final session of the Forum speeches 17/11/09).

The participants of the Civil Society Forum worked out draft recommendations, which were then finalised by the elected coordinators of the CSF working groups.

The recommendations were presented by the representatives of the Forum at a meeting of the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers on 8 December 2009 in Brussels. A speech and a presentation about the Civil Society Forum made during the Ministers' meeting can be found here ( speech [87 KB] / presentation [501 KB] ).

To watch the press conference held following the Ministers' meeting, please click here.

 

Second meeting (Berlin, 18-19 November 2010)