press report on the study visit of eu institutions

PRESS-REPORT
YOUNG CENTRAL ASIAN WINNERS OF THE REGIONAL LEGAL COMPETITION
PARTICIPATED TO A STUDY TOUR OF EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
ORGANISED BY THE RULE OF LAW PLATFORM
In the European Parliament in Strasbourg
The five winners of the Regional Legal Competition
organized by the Rule of Law Platform in the Summer
of 2014 were invited to a study tour of European
institutions during the week from 24 to 28 November
2014, in the Netherlands and France.
The five law students and young professionals of
Central Asia were offered comprehensive presentations,
visited institution premises, and had the opportunity to
exchange with high-level representatives on site. In the
Netherlands, the delegates visited the Hague
Conference on Private International Law, Eurojust and
the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the
University of Leiden and Amsterdam. In Strasbourg,
they had meetings at the Office of the European
Ombudsman and the European Court of Human Rights.
They also attended presentations at the Group of States
against
corruption
(GRECO),
the
European
Commission for Democracy through Law of the
Council of Europe (Venice Commission), the
Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
and Directorate of External Relations of the Council of
Europe. They also participated to a session of the
European Parliament. The objective of this visit was to
provide exposure to best EU practices and rule of law
institutions.
Aijan Sharshenova was born
in Kyrgyzstan and is currently
a Ph.D. student in International
Relations, Democracy and
Development at the University
of Leeds (UK). Her work
experience includes judicial
reform
assistance
and
parliamentary strengthening in
her country. For Aijan, “the
most exciting element of the study tour was that we
had a chance to learn from well-established experts
and professionals, who kindly answered our
questions and told stories from their practice and
everyday life of their organisations”. “I have also
developed an interest in learning more about anticorruption measures and cooperation with the
Council of Europe, a stepping stone to ideas on future
research and career aspirations”.
Munira Ahundova, from Turkmenistan, is a law
student
at
Mahtumkuli
Turkmen State
University. “The
outstanding
study tour, one
of the most
wonderful
moments of my
life, was an
amazing
experience. I have learned a myriad of things
connected with my future profession. Most
memorable was the visit to the International Court
of Justice in the Hague, observing the judicial process
there in particular. That is because I am considering
becoming a judge”.
Maxim Dogonkin from Uzbekistan studied
commercial
law
at
Westminster
International
University
in Tashkent
and
currently
prepares an
LL.M. at the
University
of Essex (UK). Having practiced as a junior lawyer
advising foreign investors, his interests are in
corporate and competition law. “I sincerely believe
the EU Rule of Law Initiative will contribute
significantly enhancing the rule of law in Central
Asia: this integration experience will be very
valuable for the Central Asian States and in
transforming the relationships between business and
the State. The study visit totally changed my
perception of EU institutions. I now better
understand how important they are to the
development of the rule of law.
Asset Kussaiyn lives
in
Almaty,
Kazakhstan.
He
currently prepares his
BA in Jurisprudence
at Al-Farabi Kazakh
National University
and is very interested
in defending human
rights. Asset was
particularly interested
to visit Eurojust and to
attend a session of the
European Parliament
in Strasbourg. “There
are still problems in
the implementation of
laws in all Central
Asian States. I gained knowledge and ideas, which I
would put into practice in my home country. The
study tour was kind of a catalyst, which raised my
interest in the EU. I will continue my research and
after that, I will definitely do something to change
the situation for the better in Central Asia”.
Umedakhon Oqilova
is a Tajik student and
holds a BA from the
American University
of Central Asia. She is
currently enrolled in a
Master’s program at
the University of
Tromso, Norway. The
most valuable part of
study tour was our participation in the session of EU
Parliament, it inspired me very much. The tour
helped me to realize how much needs to be done by
Tajikistan. Our government’s great interest to
cooperate with EU is step towards progress. We met
experts from different government institutions
and this inspired me to be like one of them. I hope
that in the future, I will be able help my country
overcome the obstacles to join treaties and support
the development of cooperation between Tajikistan
and European Union.
Wim
Timmermans,
a
former law Professor at the
University of Leiden says: “It
was a great pleasure meeting
these nice young students.
They were very bright and
asked good questions”.
Dr. Christophe Bernasconi, the Secretary General
of the Hague Conference
says: “It was our absolute
pleasure to welcome the
delegation
at
the
Permanent
Bureau.
Receiving
young
interested lawyers allows
us to reflect on, and
promote, our work, to the
next generation of legal
minds. And their interesting and pertinent questions
not only made the session lively and interactive, but
also allowed us to go even deeper into the various
topics we covered.”
The group of Central Asian young professionals and
law students had a full « immersion » into
international (primarily European) rule of law
institutions. Following the study tour, they will join
the European-Central Asian Network of rule of law
Experts established by the Platform. A key element
of the EU-Central Asia Strategy for a New
Partnership, the “Rule of Law Initiative for Central
Asia” constitutes the overarching regional
framework for enhanced cooperation in the Rule of
Law area, aimed at supporting legal reforms in
Central Asia and the sharing of EU experience.
Under the auspices of the Rule of Law Initiative, the
Rule of Law Platform regional project acts as a
support mechanism to facilitate policy dialogue and
promote the measures contributing to legal reforms
in each of the Central Asian countries.
The delegation in the Hague
This project is funded
by the European Union
The project is implemented by
Altair Asesores S.L. in
consortium with IBF
International Consulting,
Nicolaas Witsen Foundation,
and Central Asia International
Consulting
Calle Maria de Molina 1-5°
Dcha.28006 Madrid, Spain
Tel. (+34) 91 399 25 88
Fax (+34) 91 399 16 29
Directorate General for Development and
Cooperation - EuropeAid
54 rue Joseph II, 1049 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (+32 2) 295 1815
Fax: (+32 2) 296 3697
The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have
decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources
and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50
years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and
sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity,
tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is
committed to sharing its achievements and its values with
countries and peoples beyond its borders. To this end the EU is
active in Tajikistan since 1992 and provides approximately
EUR 25 million annually in development assistance.