OREANDA-NEWS. The NGO Forum is an official event organised by the Latvian presidency of the European Council. The main aim of the event is to step up the involvement of representative associations'/civil society organisations and the public in decision-making at national and EU levels (civil dialogue). European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and the Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma were among the speakers at the opening session.

EESC President Malosse emphasised that civil dialogue and social dialogue (the participation of social partners – organisations representing employers and workers - in decision-making) were complementary processes. "We would certainly all benefit if we could ensure greater synergy between these two movements" stated President Malosse.

He also declared that the principle of subsidiarity in social legislation – where some decisions were taken by the social partners and confirmed by the legislative process – had great potential and was underused at the moment.

He also suggested that the same principle of subsidiarity should be envisaged for civil society too. "We should insert horizontal subsidiarity in the treaties, on subjects where decision-making by civil society players would be most effective" stated the President.