On 7 December, the Parallel Development Conference, organized by the Platform for Civil Solidarity, a coalition of the civil society organizations from across the OSCE region took place. A similar activity takes place every year at the premises of the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting.

In this virtual activity, the Albanian Chairmanship was represented by the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Agron Tare. In this session there were submitted civil society recommendations on the fight against corruption at all levels, and the International support on Human Rights transition, and democracy in Belarus.

The Tirana Declaration on Human Rights, Democracy and the Fight against Corruption as well as the Agenda for International support on Human Rights transition, and Democracy in Belarus, was presented to the executive institutions of the OSCE, by the International NGOs and the Belarusian civil society.

In his speech Deputy Minister Agron Tare underlined that the Albanian Presidency of the OSCE 2020 appreciates the role that civil society plays in the OSCE region. Emphasizing that “during this year we have given open access to the civil society for our meetings in accordance with OSCE documents and decisions”.

He expressed his regret for not holding this year the Implementation Meetings on Human Dimension, as a result of the pandemic. The Deputy Minister stressed that this was one of the most difficult decisions that the Albanian Presidency have taken so far because this is one of the biggest and unsubstituted events in Europe for Democracy and Human Rights.

Therefore, through the online events, the Albanian Chairmanship was determined to keep alive the debate on the human dimension under these extraordinary circumstances. Civil society participation this year under social distancing circumstances was higher than the previous years on the physical meetings.

In conclusion, the Deputy Minister expressed his gratitude to the organizers and organizations involved in drafting the Tirana Declaration 2020 and the Agenda for International Support in Belarus.