The European Parliament adopted a report from the Bavarian MEP Nadia Hirsch on the integration of migrants in the Member States of the European Union. The report deals with the impact of immigration on the labour market and social security systems.

The number of the inhabitants in the Member States of the EU declines and it comes to the population aging. This is caused by low birth rate and a life expectancy is rising. Due to this fact immigration is generally welcomed as one of the solutions for shortage of economically active inhabitants. Above all, educated and qualified workers are welcomed.

We welcome those who are ready to find a job or start running their own business, simply those who actively want to contribute to wealth and value growth. The main motivation for the immigrants coming to the EU countries should be an opportunity to assert oneself, not an opportunity to exploit generous social security systems.

We agreed on the fact that we will give support to all measurements which will support integration of immigrants to the society, particularly regarding improvement of their language skills and education in general – applying not only for workers themselves but also for family members, in particular children.

During the discussion it has been pointed out that the support is mainly given to immigrant workers coming from third countries. Relocation of workers within the EU is not a solution to the shortage of economically active citizens in the EU – the number of workers will increase in one Member State but in other state they will be missed.

It is definitely a warning sign that the EU countries are not as attractive for immigrants as they used to be several years ago. Without any doubt the declining attractiveness of the EU countries is related to further regulations, increasing taxes and charges, and decreasing competitiveness. It should be understood as a reminder for all regulators and social engineers not only in Brussels.

Dear colleagues,

I had the honour to Chair the EP Election Observation Delegation that observed the Presidential elections inArmenialast 18 February.

The European Parliament Election Observation Delegation was also composed of Mr. Joachim ZELLER, Ms Elena BĂSESCU, Ms Eva JOLY and Mr. Ryszard CZARNECKI. I would like to thank them for their excellent cooperation during this delegation.

My report today will focus on two issues: The Presidential Election inArmenia, and the international cooperation in the framework of the International Election Observation Missions.

-         Concerning past presidential elections inArmenia, I have to recall that these elections were seen as a test for the democratic credentials of the country. The European Parliament has clearly said in its resolution of April 2012 on the negotiations of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement, that the Parliament considers free and fair elections, more transparent elections, elections in line with International and European standards, of the utmost importance for the development of EU-Armenia relations.

-         My second point to highlight today, concerns the co-operation in the framework of the International Election Observation Mission. These International Missions are the assurance that the international community will speak with one voice in the context of election observation.  Usually, the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe and of the OSCE are also part of this International Mission. InArmenia, the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE decided not to participate in the IEOM, thus confirming, and putting into practice, the decision of the OSCE/PA Bureau at its meeting inDublinin December 2012, to consider the Co-operation Agreement with OSCE/ODIHR no longer valid.

I will comeback to this later. I would now focus on the Armenian Presidential Election.

What are then the conclusions and the possibilities for follow-up of this Election?

InArmenia, the preliminary conclusions of the international election observationMissiondescribed a well administered election, characterized by respect for fundamental freedoms. Contestants were able to campaign without impediment. Public television and radio complied with their legal obligation to provide free airtime and balanced coverage of all candidates.

However, during the electoral campaign, the misuse of administrative resources distorted the distinction between the state and the ruling party which is at odds with the OSCE Copenhagen Document, one of the main International Standards for elections.

I regret the absence of real competition, mainly due to the decision of three of the main parties do not compete in the election.

After the publication of the official results indicating that incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan was re-elected in the first round, the OSCE/ODIHR long-term Election Observation Mission issued a post election interim report, raising concerning about the close correlation, in a significant number of polling stations,  between the voter turnout and the number of votes for the incumbent.

The Presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisyan has contested the results of the election and appealed to theConstitutional Court. On 14 March 2013, the Court rejected this appeal and thus approved the validity of the elections.

In my speech at the Press Conference of the International Election Observation Mission, I emphasized the importance that the European Parliament attaches to the follow up of the recommendations of the International Election Observation missions. I welcomed the good will that the authorities have showed in this regard after the last parliamentary elections, hoping to see same efforts in implementing the recommendations that the ODIHR will issue after the presidential elections, through an even more inclusive process that would involve all the relevant stakeholders in the society.

I urge the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Delegation to the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee to follow-up closely the conclusions and recommendations of the Election Observation Mission report and the answer given by Armenian Authorities. As I said in my speech after the Election Day, it is key that Armenian authorities deliver on important results, as regards to promoting democratic, economic and social reforms, essential for the conclusion of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement, and also for restoring faith in the future electoral processes.

I would finish by sharing with you my deep concern about the position of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE which I find unfortunate and damageable on various levels:

• The position of the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE harms the capacity of the  international community to speak with one voice;
• The tension between Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE and ODIHR must be viewed in the context of the long-standing efforts by a few OSCE participating States (Russia,Kazakhstan,Belarus,Armenia,Kyrgyzstan,TajikistanandUzbekistan) to weaken ODIHR, particularly its election observation capacity. The European Parliament has appealed several times to OSCE to reaffirm and preserve the independence of the OSCE/ODIHR and to further strengthen its role and capacity as the leading OSCE institution responsible for election observation; 
• Finally, the position of the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE jeopardises multilateral cooperation at European level, a cause which the European Parliament has always defended, on issues of the importance of democracy and rule of law.

The Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, co-chaired by Elmar Brok, is holding at its meeting on 26 March an in-depth exchange of views on EP election observation in the OSCE area, to be led by VP Edward McMillan-Scott. I hope that the AFET and the DEG will be able to identify ways to address this unfortunate situation.

I thank you for your attention.  

Milan Cabrnoch

The fifteenth meeting of the inter-parliamentary committee EU – Georgia was held in Brussels on the February 25 and 26, 2013. It was the first meeting after the parliamentary elections in Georgia.

The Georgian delegation was lead by Tinatin Khidasheli, the Member of the Parliament of the governing formation Georgian dream.

At the meeting were discussed relations between the European Union and Georgia, above all a progress regarding visa policy liberalization and free trade agreement, as well as human rights compliance and judiciary independence. A tense relationship between the Georgian government and opposition has shortly become a major topic of the discussion which arose into violence on the February 8. On this day were also injured few Members of the Opposition.

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The European Parliament is ready to support Armenia´s progress on democratic reforms, Milan Cabrnoch, the Head of the European Parliament delegation told reporters in Yerevan.

According to the European observer, the elections day was peaceful, and was preceded by a peaceful campaign.

He said the European Parliament attaches great importance to the implementation of recommendations of international experts, including the outcome of the previous day´s elections.

Milan Cabrnoch reminded that Armenia held parliamentary and presidential elections both in less than a year timespan, and significantly improved the process. The representative of the European Parliament stressed importance of progress on democratic reforms in Armenia in terms of the negotiations on the Association Agreement and restoration of confidence in the electoral process.

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Yerevan, 13. February 2013 -- Presidential election in Armenia was generally well-managed and all the candidates had the chance to campaign freely, said Milan Cabrnoch, Czech conservative MEP who led the European Parliament delegation to Armenia.

Milan Cabrnoch said:

"We have observed a calm election day, characterized by no major difficulties in electoral procedures, following a somewhat quiet, low-key election campaign lacking significant political debate and real competition. This was mainly due to the decision by three main parties not to nominate candidates."

"Armenia has undergone two elections in less then a year, and we have seen improvements in the process. Now, it is key that Armenian authorities deliver on important results, as regards to promoting democratic, economic and social reforms, essential for the conclusion of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement, and also for restoring faith in the future electoral processes."