The influence of civil society organisations in the preparation and execution of government decisions is being strengthened. On 13 March, the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice signed strategic partnership agreements with 47 civil society organisations.

Parliamentary Minister of State Bence Rétvári signed the agreements with representatives from the organisations in Parliament. The aim of the agreements is the inclusion of the civil sector in the preparation of legislation which affects it. This will enable organisations with specialists possessing outstanding expertise and knowledge to contribute to the creation of legislation which is of higher quality, realisable and suited to everyday practicality.

In his speech, Mr Rétvári said that the Government wants civil society organisations to feel that in the realisation of their goals the state is not an obstruction but a partner. He also said that the agreements signed in the previous year had produced very good results.

Since last year, legislation has required the inclusion of civil society in the preparation of rules of law. As a result, opinions on draft legislation and concepts may be submitted by private individuals as well as organisations representing various groups within society – civil society organisations, churches, professional and scientific organisations, national minority self-governments and institutions of higher education. Thus a wide spectrum of society may be included in the preparation of legislation, promoting the improvement of its range, quality and practicability. The nature of the decision-making process and the identity of those with whose cooperation it occurs will therefore be rendered transparent and clear. This is extremely important in a mature state under the rule of law.

(kormany.hu)