Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi have today launched two major co-operation programmes between the European Union and the Council of Europe.

The “Partnership for Good Governance” (PGG) 2023-2027 is another joint initiative for strengthening good governance in the Eastern Partnership region. The programme provides tailor-made support for legislation and practice closer to European standards in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy. Progress in the EU accession agenda is in focus for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as are improved European perspectives for Georgia. The value of the new programme phase III is €19,300,000. 

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” 2023-2026 is a joint initiative complying with Council of Europe standards and European Union acquis, contributing to the priorities of the EU enlargement process. It has been developed as a flexible mechanism that supports national reform processes in the areas of rule of law, democracy, and human rights. The Horizontal Facility will also support recommendations of Council of Europe monitoring and expert bodies. The value of the new programme phase III is €41,175,000. 

There was also an exchange of views on the co-operation partnership between the two organisations.