HISTORY OF CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The history of the creation and development of the Eurasian Association of Constitutional Control Bodies (formerly known as the Conference of Constitutional Control Bodies of New Democracy Countries) dates back to 1997. It was created with the aim of promoting universally recognized constitutional values, maintaining a constant dialogue and sharing experiences on ensuring the supremacy of the constitution.

On October 24, 1997, the founding conference of the constitutional control bodies of the young democracy countries was held in Yerevan, attended by delegations from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine.  Following the results of the founding conference, the delegations of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (with written consent) decided to establish a Conference of Constitutional Control Bodies of Young Democracies, which was reflected in a Joint Communique.  This important act reflected that, being aware of the extremely important role and importance of institutions of constitutional control in the establishment of a rule-of-law state and the development of democratic processes in society, taking into account the peculiarities of the transition period in the formation of an effective system of constitutional control, striving to maximize the possibilities of consultative cooperation within the framework of regular organization and holding thematic discussions on topical constitutional issues justice issues of mutual interest, With the aim of expanding cooperation and establishing a permanent exchange of experience between the constitutional courts of the young democracy states, the constitutional control bodies of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan announce the establishment of a Conference of Constitutional Courts as an advisory institution and invite the constitutional control bodies of other young democracy countries to join this Conference. On October 4, 2003, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Conference of Constitutional Review Bodies of Young Democracies and the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission). It is noted that, sharing common interests in the development of constitutional justice, the parties agreed to provide mutual support in the exchange of information and publications on topical issues of constitutional justice. 

By the decision of the participants of the Conference of Constitutional Control Bodies of the Young Democracy Countries, adopted at a meeting in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) in the framework of participation in the Second Congress of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, from March 1, 2011, the Conference was renamed the Conference of Constitutional Control Bodies of the New Democracy Countries.

In 2015, the Constitutional Court of Mongolia became a member of the Conference. His appeal stated that the Constitutional Court of Mongolia joins the Conference and expresses its interest in developing cooperation with other bodies of constitutional justice.  Currently, the constitutional control bodies of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are members of the Conference. 

Over the years, a number of meetings of the Conference participants have been held. Most of them were held under the chairmanship of the Constitutional Court of Armenia within the framework of the annual Yerevan International conferences.

In December 2017, Chairman of the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. K.Mami was elected Chairman of the Conference. The first meeting of the Conference members under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan was held at the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation (St. Petersburg, May 16, 2018). The meeting was attended by delegations from all Conference participants. Its results were formalized by the protocol. The parties reaffirmed their interest in deepening cooperation both among themselves and with other international organizations, regional and linguistic associations.  In addition, the importance of holding Congresses of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice was noted and the new logo of the Conference was approved.

The Association has its own periodical, the Bulletin Constitutional Justice, the editorial board of which includes representatives of all members of the Conference.

On August 27, 2018, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in Kazakhstan between the Conference of Constitutional Control Bodies of New Democracy Countries and the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa. 

A regular meeting of the Conference was held in Astana on August 28, 2018. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan was accepted into its composition. The participants were presented with the Internet resource of the Conference, posted on the website of the Constitutional Council of Kazakhstan. The parties approved the new composition of the editorial board of the Bulletin and considered organizational issues related to the activities of the association (approval of the flag, the schedule of the next meetings, and others).

At a meeting held on May 31, 2019 in Minsk, the Conference of Constitutional Control Bodies of New Democracy Countries was renamed the Eurasian Association of Constitutional Control Bodies. This decision was supported by all members of the Association. In addition, a new logo was approved, as well as the flag and badge of the organization were established.

On August 26, 2020, a meeting of the Eurasian Association of Constitutional Control Bodies was held under the chairmanship of Chairman of the Constitutional Council of Kazakhstan K. Mami. It was attended by representatives of the constitutional justice authorities of Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mr. Schnuts Duerr, Secretary General of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, participated as a guest. Opening the event, Chairman of the Eurasian Association Mr. K.Mami noted that this meeting is being held online for the first time. The reason for this is the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, which still poses a serious international threat. The meeting discussed the main areas of cooperation in the legal field, issues of further improvement of the charter documents, as well as the Association’s participation in the upcoming 5th Congress of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice. The issues of cooperation with the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions and other associations were also discussed.

On August 26, 2020, at an online meeting of the Council of Members of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Asian Association of Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions and the Eurasian Association of Constitutional Control Bodies. On the part of the Asian Association, the Memorandum was signed by the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Kairat Mami, and on the part of the Eurasian Association, the Chairman of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Karybek Duisheev. Currently, the constitutional control bodies of Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are members of the Association.

The Constitutional Control Body of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been chairing the Eurasian Association of Constitutional Control Bodies since 2017. The main purpose of the Association is to promote universally recognized constitutional values, maintain a constant dialogue and exchange experience on ensuring the supremacy of the constitution of the participating countries.