Part II

For the present and especially for the future, it is important for all states to recognize that citizen participation in public life is of paramount importance, and this can only be achieved through greater transparency and openness on the part of state authorities in their decision-making processes. This entails informing citizens about projects to be carried out at the national and local levels, consulting them before adopting legislation, and encouraging civil society participation in the decision-making process. At the European level, there is a focus on ensuring transparency in the decision-making process; the documents approved by the Council of Europe and the European Union on this issue are numerous and particularly useful as a necessary starting point for improving national legislation in this area. Since good governance entails the state’s obligation to ensure that the activities of the public administration comply with the law and are effective, it can be said that adherence to the principle of transparency in public administration is a fundamental condition for a modern and efficient administration.

Keywords: good governance, transparency, information, consultation, participation in the decision-making process.