The Interparliamentary Conference provided an eminent setting for the competent parliamentary representatives to discuss the question of the implementation of these fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Social Charter at national level in the current international context. The processes of ratifying the revised version of this treaty and the protocol on the collective complaints procedure, consideration of the Charter’s provisions in the context of the national legislative process, and also the results of the monitoring activities of the European Committee of Social Rights, formed the main focus of the Conference. The topic of social policies in a ‘post-crisis’ environment, taking account of the challenges linked with globalization and the need to promote more cohesive and inclusive societies in Europe, underpinned by fundamental rights, democratic security and rule of law was also on the agenda of the Conference

Ms Vesna Rakonjac spoke about the progress Serbia had made in the process of ratification of the European Social Charter, having in mind the decision of Serbia to gradually ratify some of its Articles. The process is preconditioned by the adoption of some umbrella laws, such as the Law on Social Housing, the Labour Law, and the Law on Employment of Aliens. Many of the prerequisites for the ratification of the most important Articles of the revised Charter have been met owning to the efforts made by the Committee on Labour, Social Issues, Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction that participated in all the events aimed at promoting the Charter and social rights in general. Additional conditions for the ratification of the remaining Articles of the revised Charter are expected to be met in the forthcoming period.

The conference was attended by, among others, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Mr. Sergey Naryshkin, Speaker of the Parliament of Malta, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Mayor of Turin, Mr Piero Fassino, and Chairman of the Social Аffairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Mario Marazziti. The Turin Forum was also attended by the Georgios Katrougalos, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity of the Hellenic Republic who ratified the revised Charter on behalf of his country.