Research and Publications:
Volten Briefs
Research and Publications:
Volten Briefs
Volten Briefs
Peter Volten established the Centre for European Security Studies (CESS) in 1993 in Groningen where he also took up the position of professor of International Relations at the University of Groningen. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Peter Volten conducted pioneering work and established contacts with academic, civil society, and policy communities in transitioning Central and Eastern European countries.
Peter was a staunch supporter of European unity and strong Transatlantic ties, contributing to peace and security in Europe by reaching out to people that had suffered under authoritarian rule. A mission that remains more urgent than ever today. From its foundation until 2005 Peter was the director of CESS, after which he took the position of chair of the board. Peter passed away in December 2022. This series of policy briefs is dedicated to him.
Between a rock and a hard place: Security sector oversight in Armenia
Volten Brief no. 9, October 2023. By Jos Boonstra and Beatrijs Visser
After the 2018 Velvet revolution, and amidst the continuous turmoil following the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia seeks to reform its security sector. It does so with modest help from international donors. Democratic control of security and its reform is largely ignored. What can be done to turn this process around?
Download PDF: Between a rock and a hard place: Security sector oversight in Armenia
Parliamentary Oversight of Defence in Kosovo: Capacities and Functionality
CESS Policy Brief no. 8, November 2022. By Lulzim Peci
Parliamentary oversight of the defence sector in Kosovo has been superficial. The Committee on Security and Defence Affairs of the Assembly of Kosovo is too small to perform an adequate oversight over the country’s broad range of government ministries and agencies. In addition to increasing staff numbers and attracting more (external) expertise, the Kosovar Assembly should contemplate a restructuring of its oversight of security and defence so as to ensure that due attention is paid to each aspect of its work.
Download PDF: Parliamentary Oversight of Defence in Kosovo: Capacities and Functionality
Elusive standards: Governance and oversight of security sector procurement in Albania
CESS Policy Brief no. 7, April 2022. By Alban Dafa
Albania has little tradition of regulating defence and security procurement. Standards remain elusive in parliamentary oversight, vetting of economic operators, and accountability of contracting authorities. This paper advocates for addressing legal loopholes, improving accountability, and strengthening inter-institutional cooperation.
Download PDF: Elusive standards: Governance and oversight of security sector procurement in Albania
Countering disinformation in North Macedonia: how can parliament rise to the occasion?
CESS Policy Brief no. 6, February 2022. By Marko Pankovski and Vlora Rechica
Disinformation poses a serious challenge to politics and society in North Macedonia. It is time for parliament to step up its activity in countering disinformation through its key tasks of law-making, democratic oversight, and representation. Establishing an inter-party working group on disinformation would be a good start.
Download PDF: Countering disinformation in North Macedonia: how can parliament rise to the occasion?
Improving the information position of the Albanian, Kosovar and North Macedonian Parliaments
CESS Policy Brief no. 5, May 2021. By the Centre for European Security Studies (ed. Jos Boonstra)
Parliamentarians are overwhelmed with information and at the same time have difficulty in finding specific information to perform their duties. The Albanian, Kosovar, and North Macedonian parliaments are developing their own in-house information capacities, and they work with civil society. What steps can the three Balkan countries take to further boost the information position of their legislatures?
Download PDF: Improving the information position of the Albanian, Kosovar and North Macedonian Parliaments
Strengthening Oversight of Intelligence in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia
CESS Policy Brief no. 4, February 2021. By DECOS working group & Merijn Hartog and Erik Sportel (ed.)
Establishing democratic oversight of intelligence is of vital importance for the reform processes in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. To get intelligence oversight right, it is first necessary to nurture a culture of oversight, update legislation, and build human and institutional capacity.
Download PDF: Strengthening Oversight of Intelligence in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia
The impact of Covid-19 on governance and democratic oversight The cases of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia
CESS Policy Brief no. 3, November 2020, Jos Boonstra (ed.)
As a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia have learned that their democratic institutions and civil societies are resilient in the face of crisis though fragile in dealing with practical problems. This policy brief – as an outcome of a working group of Western Balkans experts and practitioners – offers insight into the functioning of these young democracies under stress, while bringing forward ideas for strengthening oversight mechanisms.
Building institutional oversight capacity of the security sector in Ukraine
CESS Policy Brief no. 2, February 2020, Jos Boonstra
The first six months of the Zelenskyy government and the Servant of the People-dominated parliament show a mixed picture of reform efforts and inexperience. Regarding the security sector, not much has been done, as mistakes could prove costly for the new guard of politicians. This policy brief argues for a series of capacity-building measures to boost the institutional impact of democratic watchdogs in the security sector.
Download PDF: Building institutional oversight capacity of the security sector in Ukraine
Building civil society oversight capacity of the security sector in Ukraine
CESS Policy Brief no. 1, December 2019, Jos Boonstra
Ukraine has a broad and active civil society that is involved in security and defence oversight. It could improve its capacity to impact policy by becoming more knowledgeable in performing oversight; experienced in working with parliament and other oversight institutions; and increasingly able through the development of new oversight tools and mechanisms. This policy brief aims to provide an overview of civil society’s role in Ukraine’s security sector and offer suggestions on how to strengthen its role.
Download PDF; Building civil society oversight capacity of the security sector in Ukraine
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