Southeast European parliamentarians create network of development agencies

ATHENS, GREECE, Oct. 2 – Parliamentarians from Southeast Europe agreed Monday to create a new branch of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) that would create the source to consult together on common development challenges in the region. 40 parliamentarians from Southeast Europe discussed the region’s development challenges with representatives from the World Bank, European institutions, the IMF, Stability Pact, and academics active in the region. “We welcome the founding of the Southeast Europe branch of the PNoWB,” said Greek MP Nikos Christodoulakis, who co-chaired the meeting. “In the Balkans, governments and politicians have not been used to frequently exchanging ideas and a lot of conflicts and misunderstandings have occurred on several occasions. Today, communication and consensus building will help to spread the need for reform and cooperation in this area. The European perspective is the common base for enhancing a political dialogue on a cross-country agenda that includes upgrading infrastructure, securing energy supply, creating more and better jobs, and increasing factor mobility and co-integration.” The PNoWB, with the support of the Hellenic Parliament and in cooperation with the World Bank and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), organized the gathering on the theme of “Toward A Common Economic Space in Southeast Europe.” Parliamentarians from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosova, FYR of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey attended the meeting. Created in early 2000 as a small, informal network, PNoWB has grown to include members from some 110 countries. The Network has expanded through the creation of four national and regional chapters in India, East Africa, Japan and the Middle East/North Africa. The Southeast Europe branch of the PNoWB established this weekend is the newest chapter of the organization. “Parliamentarians play a vital role in the economic development of Southeast European countries,” said Shigeo Katsu, World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia. “During this conference, we gained a lot of good ideas and insights on how the region can move forward on building a common economic space in Southeast Europe and collaborating on key issues such as governance, energy, trade, transport and labor markets. In the future, the new Southeast European chapter of PNoWB will provide all development partners in the region with a network of engaged and active parliamentarians we can consult with on important development issues. While parliamentarians have the responsibility to govern and lead the way, we at the World Bank can support their reform efforts more effectively by sharing our knowledge, research and best practices.” The World Bank welcomed the increasing role of parliamentarians in development as in PNoWB as a way of strengthening collective accountability.