The Parliament’s Committee on European Integration held the first meeting of the Expert Council attached to the Committee, during which the cooperation platform with civil society was launched, TRIBUNA reports.

The Expert Council under the Committee on European Integration brings together 45 members — specialists in fields such as international relations, European affairs, political science, environmental policy, law, economics, human rights, and gender policy. Of the 45 members, 17 are based abroad, in countries such as Romania, the United States of America, Germany, Austria, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, and Ireland.

The members of the Council will contribute their expertise to the Committee’s work in areas such as harmonizing national legislation with the European Union (EU) acquis, implementing the National Programme for EU Accession, roadmaps, and fulfilling the recommendations of the enlargement report.

To facilitate communication with the Council members, the Committee on European Integration launched a digital platform through which civil society will be able to better capitalize on its expertise regarding the transposition of the EU acquis and provide comments on draft laws related to the harmonization of national legislation.

The Expert Council is an advisory body without legal personality, ensuring the participation and involvement of stakeholders in the legislative process, as well as the assessment of the impact of legislation on citizens’ lives. Membership in the Council is honorary, voluntary, and unpaid.

The Committee on European Integration consists of 11 members and is chaired by MP Marcel Spatari. It was established in the 12th legislature of Parliament to accelerate the EU accession process and ensure the effective transposition of European norms into national legislation.