Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee (3 October 2008-26 January 2009)
Progress report
| Doc. 11793 Part I
| 24 January 2009
- Committee
- Bureau of the Assembly
- Rapporteur :
- Mr Paul WILLE,
Belgium
1 Introduction
1. The Bureau met on 3 October 2008 in Strasbourg, on
27 November 2008 in Madrid and on 9 January 2009 in Barcelona. The
Standing Committee met on 28 November in Madrid.
2 Functioning of the Assembly
2.1 Progress Report of the Bureau of the Assembly
and of the Standing Committee (3 October 2008-26 January 2009)
2. On 3 October, the Bureau appointed Mr Wille (Belgium,
ALDE) as rapporteur.
2.2 Follow-up to the 4th Part
of the 2008 Ordinary Session (Strasbourg, 29 September-3 October 2008)
2.2.1 Resolution
1633 (2008) on “The consequences of the war between Georgia
and Russia”
3. On 3 October, the Bureau decided:
a to ask the Presidential Committee, led by the President,
to visit Tbilisi and Moscow for meetings at the highest level with
the authorities concerning the implementation of
Resolution 1633 (2008);
b to place an item on the agenda of the Standing Committee
in Madrid (28 November 2008) concerning “Follow-up given to
Resolution 1633 (2008)”;
c to place on the agenda of the January 2009 part-session
a report on the “Implementation of
Resolution 1633 (2008)” and to refer
the matter to the Monitoring Committee for report, and to the Political
Affairs Committee and the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
for opinion;
d to ask the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population
to prepare a report on the “Humanitarian consequences of the war
between Georgia and Russia”, which could be debated during the January 2009
part-session;
e entrusted the Political Affairs Committee with the task
of formulating proposals for the organisation of an international
conference on early warning systems and mechanisms for conducting
parliamentary diplomacy, as well as considering other questions
such as the setting-up of an international committee of inquiry
and the consequences of the conflict for the stability of the region;
f to ask the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
to examine questions relating to human rights in the region;
g to set up an Ad Hoc Committee in order to promote dialogue
between the Russian and Georgian parliamentary delegations and to
return to the question of the composition and working methods of
the Ad Hoc Committee at the Bureau’s next meeting.
4. On 28 November, the Standing Committee held an exchange of
views on the follow-up to
Resolution 1633
(2008) on “the consequences of the war between Georgia
and Russia”.
5. On 9 January, the Bureau was informed about the discussions
held concerning the implementation of this resolution within the
Monitoring and the Political Affairs Committees.
2.2.2 “The humanitarian consequences of the war between
Georgia and Russia”
6. On 9 January, the Bureau was informed about the discussions
held concerning this issue within the Committee on Migration, Refugees
and Population.
2.2.3 Visit by the Presidential Committee to Georgia
and Russia
7. On 27 November, the Bureau took note of a memorandum
prepared by the President regarding the Presidential Committee’s
visit to Georgia and decided to declassify it (see Addendum II).
8. On 9 January, the Bureau was informed about the programme
for the visit of the Presidential Committee to Moscow which would
take place from 18 to 20 January 2009.
2.2.4 Resolution
1627 (2008) on “Candidates for the European Court of
Human Rights”
9. On 3 October, the Bureau asked the President to contact
the Maltese authorities to request that they submit a list of candidates.
2.3 Standing Committee (Madrid, 28 November 2008)
2.3.1 Draft agenda
10. On 3 October, the Bureau took note of the draft agenda
and the draft programme.
11. On 27 November, the Bureau took note of the updated draft
agenda.
2.3.2 Request for a current affairs debate: “The world
financial crisis: the economic collapse of Iceland” (submitted by
the Icelandic parliamentary delegation)
12. On 27 November, the Bureau decided to recommend to
the Standing Committee to hold a current affairs debate on this
subject and appointed Mr Sigfusson (Iceland, UEL) to introduce the
debate.
13. On 28 November, the Standing Committee held a current affairs
debate on “the world financial crisis: the economic collapse of
Iceland”, following the request of the Icelandic parliamentary delegation,
introduced by Mr Sigfusson (Iceland, UEL).
14. On 9 January, the Bureau referred this matter to the Committee
on Economic Affairs and Development for report and to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion.
2.3.3 Meeting of the Standing Committee
15. On 28 November, the Standing Committee:
a heard a welcome address by Mr Francisco
Javier Rojo, President of the Spanish Senate;
b held an exchange of views with Mr Miguel Ángel Moratinos,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Spain, Chairperson
of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
c ratified the credentials of new members of the Assembly
submitted by the delegation of Denmark, France and Serbia;
d ratified the changes in the composition of Assembly committees
in respect of the delegations of Denmark, France, Italy and Russia,
and in the composition of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities
and Institutional Affairs in respect of the EPP/CD group.
2.3.4 Follow-up to Resolution 1640 (2008) on the “Use
by Assembly members of their dual parliamentary role – both national
and European”
16. On 9 January, the Bureau decided to ask the Committee
on Rules, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to provide the Bureau
with proposals concerning, in particular, paragraph 6.1.
2.4 Adopted texts
17. On 28 November, the Standing Committee unanimously
adopted, on behalf of the Assembly, the following texts:
18. On 28 November, the Standing Committee postponed consideration
of the following reports:
a Mobilising
parliaments for Africa’s development (
Doc. 11636)
b Attitude to memorials exposed to different historical
interpretations in Council of Europe member states (
Doc. 11746)
c Riots in European cities: lessons and Council of Europe
response (
Doc. 11685)
d Promoting the participation of children in decisions concerning
them (
Doc. 11615).
2.5 2009 First part-Session of the Assembly (26-30
January 2009)
2.5.1 Draft agenda
19. On 3 October, the Bureau drew up a preliminary draft
agenda.
20. On 27 November, the Bureau drew up a draft agenda.
21. On 9 January 2009, le Bureau updated the draft agenda.
2.5.2 Requests for current affairs debates:
22. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau:
a took note of two requests for current affairs debates:
one submitted by the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development
on the “Financial crisis and the protection of citizens’ rights”;
and the other submitted by the chairpersons of the Assembly’s Political
Groups, on behalf of their groups, on the “Situation in Gaza”;
b in accordance with Rule 52.3 of the Rules of Procedure
of the Assembly, decided to recommend to the Assembly to hold a
current affairs debate on the “Situation in Gaza”.
2.5.3 Request for a debate under urgent procedure
23. On 9 January 2009 the Bureau decided, on the basis
of a request submitted by the chairpersons of the Assembly’s Political
Groups, on behalf of their groups, to recommend to the Assembly
to hold a debate under urgent procedure on “The consequences of
the global financial crisis” and to refer this matter to the Committee on
Economic Affairs and Development for report.
2.5.4 Election of judges to the European Court of Human
Rights:
24. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau took note of the report
by the Sub-Committee on the Election of Judges and proposed that
the Assembly ask the Government of San-Marino to submit a new list;
2.6 References and transmissions to committees
25. On 3 October, the Bureau approved the following references
and modifications of references which were ratified the same day
by the Assembly:
2.6.1 References to committees
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Čurdová and others
Decent pensions for women to the Committee on Equal Opportunities
for Women and Men for report and
to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee for opinion
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Stump and others
Action against sexist representations in the media, to the
Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for report
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Hancock and others
The protection of Camp Ashraf residents, to the Committee
on Migration, Refugees and Population for
report
2.6.2 Modification of a reference
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Prescott and others
The challenges posed by climate change, to the Committee on
the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs for report, and to the Committee
on Migration, Refugees and Population and the Committee on Economic
Affairs and Development for opinion
2.6.3 Reply after consultation
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Dorić and others
The obligation of member states of the Council of Europe to
co-operate in prosecution of war crimes, to the Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights for report
2.6.4 Decision postponed
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Err and others
Extending the "most favoured European woman clause" to all
Council of Europe member states, postponed its decision
26. On 28 November, the Standing Committee approved the
following references and modifications to references:
2.6.5 References to committees
a. Implementation of Resolution 1633 (2008) on the consequences
of the war between Georgia and Russia
Decision of the Bureau on 3 October 2008, to the Committee
on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States
of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) for report and to the Political Affairs
Committee and the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion
b. Humanitarian consequences of the war between Georgia
and Russia
Decision of the Bureau on 3 October 2008, to the Committee
on Migration, Refugees and Population for
report
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Marquet and others
Drafting an additional Protocol to the Convention on Human
Rights, concerning the right to a healthy environment, to the Committee
on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs for report and to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for
opinion
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Mignon and others
Curbing the threats of war in Europe, no further action
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Err and others
Extending the "most favoured European woman clause" to all
Council of Europe member states: to the Committee on Equal Opportunities
for Women and Men for report
Cases of sexual violence against women in the east of the
Democratic Republic of Congo
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Smet and others,
to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for report which would include cases
of such violence in Europe
2.6.6 Modification of a reference
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Jakavonis and others
Forests: the future of our planet
Ref. no. 3471 of 27 June 2008, to the Committee on the Environment,
Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs for
report
2.6.7 Extension of references
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Wodarg and others
The need for a global consideration of Human rights implications
of Biometrics
Ref. 3288 of 22 January 2007 – validity: 22 January 2009,
extension until 31 January 2010
Motions for Resolutions presented by Mr Pourgourides and Mr Mercan
and others
Freedom of religion and other human rights for non-Muslim
minorities in Turkey and for Muslim minorities in Thrace (Western
Greece)
Ref. 3203 of 17 March 2006 – validity: 31 December 2008, extension
until 31 March 2009;
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Wohlwend and others
Protection of human rights in emergency situations
Ref. 3230 of 29 May 2006 – validity: 31 December 2008: extension
until 30 April 2009
2.7 Opinion and proposals of the Committee on Rules
of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs
27. On 3 October, the Bureau asked the Committee on Rules
of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to prepare a
report proposing modifications to the Rules of Procedure as a result
of questions which had arisen relating to the interpretation of
the Rules of Procedure during the part-session.
2.7.1 Rules on voting by secret ballot in committees
28. On 27 November, the Bureau considered the opinion
of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional
Affairs and approved the guidelines which appear in it as a supplementary
text to the Rules of Procedure to ensure that the procedure used
in committees satisfies clear criteria.
2.7.2 Relations with the Committee of Ministers
29. On 27 November, the Bureau:
a Increased contacts at working level between the Assembly
and the Committee of Ministers: considered the
proposals put forward by the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities
and Institutional Affairs and decided to transmit them to the Chairperson
of the Committee of Ministers;
b Questions to the Committee of Ministers: considered the
proposals made by the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities
and Institutional Affairs, and asked the Committee to prepare a
report on this subject.
2.7.3 External relations of the Assembly: implementation
of proposals contained in Resolution
1600 (2008) on “the Council of Europe and its observer
states – the current situation and a way forward”
30. On 27 November, the Bureau considered the opinion
put forward by the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and
Institutional Affairs, and asked the Committee to prepare a report
on this subject.
2.7.4 Measures to improve the democratic participation
of migrants: follow-up to be given to Resolution 1618 (2008) concerning
a better representation of persons of migrant origin in the membership
of the Assembly
31. On 27 November, the Bureau considered the opinion
put forward by the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and
Institutional Affairs and decided that it was not necessary, at
this stage, to propose any new provisions for the Rules of Procedure
of the Assembly.
2.8 Forum for the Future of Democracy (Madrid, 15-17
October 2008)
32. On 3 October, the Bureau took note of the programme
for the Forum.
33. On 27 November, the Bureau took note of the conclusions of
the Forum.
2.9 Debates on the state of human rights and democracy
in Europe
34. On 3 October, the Bureau registered its agreement
with the proposals made in document AS/Bur (2008) 62 prepared by
the Secretariat.
35. On 27 November, the Bureau decided to return to this question
at its next meeting.
36. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau approved the theme put forward
by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights on “The state
of human rights in Europe: The need to eradicate impunity”.
2.10 Parliamentary Assembly Human Rights Prize
2.10.1 Drawing by lot of two independent experts from
the jury whose term of office will be for 5 years
37. On 3 October, the Bureau took note that the term
of office of Mrs Vermot Mangold and Mr Nowicki would be 5 years.
2.10.2 Extension of the deadline for submitting nominations
38. On 3 October, exceptionally, the deadline would be
31 December 2008 for the 2009 prize.
2.11 Composition of the Monitoring Committee and the
Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs:
2.11.1 Monitoring Committee
39. On 3 October, the Bureau approved the new members
as proposed by the political groups, for ratification by the Assembly:
Mrs Herasym’yuk (Ukraine, EPP/CD); Mr Jensen (Denmark, ALDE), Mrs Konecna
(Czech Republic, UEL) and Mrs Taktakishvili (Georgia, ALDE).
2.11.2 Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and
Institutional Affairs
40. On 3 October, the Bureau approved the new members
as proposed by the political groups, for ratification by the Assembly:
Mr Saar (Estonia, SOC) and Mr Schram (Iceland, SOC).
41. On 27 November, the Bureau approved Mrs Benaki (Greece) as
a new member as proposed by the EPP/CD group, for ratification by
the Standing Committee.
2.12 Appointments of Assembly Representatives for official
activities
2.12.1 Désignations de représentants de l’Assemblée à
des activités officielles
42. On 3 October, in reply to formal invitations, the
Bureau took the following decisions:
a Mr Mignon
(France, EPP/CD): International Session of the European Youth Parliament,
Rennes (France), 24 October – 2 November 2008;
b Mr Biberaj (Albania, EPP/CD): 60th Nordic
Council Plenary Session, Helsinki (Finland), 27-29 October 2008;
c Mr Cosarciuc (Moldova, ALDE): 30th Plenary Session of
the PABSEC General Assembly, Chisinau (Moldova), 3-5 November 2008
(no cost for the Assembly);
d Mrs Jonker (Netherlands, EPP/CD): High level Conference
on human rights in culturally diverse societies, The Hague (Netherlands),
12-13 November 2008 (no cost for the Assembly);
e A member of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education:
European Youth Forum General Assembly, Rotterdam (Netherlands),
13-15 November 2008;
f Mr Gross (Switzerland): UniDem Seminar on “the cancellation
of election results”, Malta, 14-15 November 2008;
g Mr MacShane (United Kingdom, SOC): 54th Annual
Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Valencia (Spain), 14-18
November 2008 (no cost for the Assembly);
h Mr Berényi (Slovak Republic, EPP/CD): 4th Plenary
Assembly of the European Roma and Travellers Forum, Strasbourg (France),
24 November 2008;
i Mr Greenway (United Kingdom, EDG): International Conference
on International Humanitarian Law, Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation)
28 November 2008.
43. On 27 November, in reply to formal invitations, the Bureau
took the following decisions:
a Mr McIntosh
(United Kingdom, SOC), Second Parliamentary Forum of the United
Nations and the International Telecommunication Union on “shaping
the information society: the role of parliaments and legislators”,
Hyderabad (India), 2 December 2008;
b Mr Mendes Bota (Portugal, EPP/CD), Interparliamentary
Union conference on “Combating violence against women”, Geneva (Switzerland),
2-4 December 2008;
c Mr Jakavonis (Lithuania, ALDE) and Mrs Lilliehöök (Sweden,
EPP/CD), 27th session of the Baltic Assembly,
14th Baltic Council and Conference “Baltic
Sea Strategy and Energy Security”, Viljandi (Estonia), 4-6 December
2008;
d Mr Sudarenkov (Russian Federation, SOC), Nevsky International
Ecological Congress, St Petersburg, 9 December 2008;
e Mr Schneider (France, EPP/CD), International Symposium
to celebrate the 60th anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights organised by the Robert
Schuman Institute, Strasbourg, 12 December 2008.
44. On 9 January 2009, in reply to a formal invitation, appointed
Mr Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD) to participate in the Winter Meeting
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE in Vienna on 19-20 February 2009.
2.12.2 Reports by Assembly representatives on their participation
in official activities
45. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau took note of a report
by Mrs Pourbaix-Lundin (Sweden, EPP/CD) regarding her participation
at a seminar in Stockholm on 6 October 2008 on “Systematic Work
for Human Rights – a challenge to local/regional politics” organised
by the association of local authorities of Stockholm.
2.13 Visits by rapporteurs
46. On 3 October, the Bureau:
a following a request by the Political Affairs Committee,
authorised Mr Pavlidis, Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on the
Middle East, to carry out a fact-finding visit to the Middle East
in the framework of preparations for the next Tripartite Forum;
b following a request by the Political Affairs Committee,
authorised Mr Gross, rapporteur on “United Nations – Reform and
the Council of Europe member states” to conduct a fact-finding visit
to Ottawa and New York (UN Headquarters) without expenses for the
Assembly in the framework of the preparation of his report and took
note that the report would be presented at the meeting of the Political
Affairs Committee on 16 December 2008.
47. On 27 November the Bureau:
a authorised
Mr Lindblad (Sweden, EPP/CD), Chairperson of the Political Affairs
Committee, Mrs Hurskainen (Finland, SOC), Chairperson of the Sub-Committee
on Belarus and Mr Rigoni (Italy, ALDE), rapporteur on the “Situation
in Belarus” to visit Belarus at the invitation of that country’s parliament;
b authorised Mrs Hurskainen (Finland, SOC), in her capacity
of Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Belarus, to join the Chairpersons
of the parliamentary troika on Belarus of the European Parliament
and the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, in order to carry out
a visit to Belarus in 2009.
2.14 Meetings elsewhere than in Strasbourg and Paris
48. On 3 October, the Bureau authorised the following
meetings:
a Sub-Committee on Human
Rights (of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights): Limassol (Cyprus),
24 November 2008;
b Sub-Committee on the European Social Charter and Employment
and Sub-Committee on Health (of the Social, Health and Family Affairs
Committee): Geneva (Switzerland), 24-25 November 2008;
c Sub-Committee on Violence against women (of the Committee
on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men): Madrid (Spain), 27 November
2008;
d Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population: Las Palmas
(Spain), 11‑12 December 2008;
49. On 27 November, the Bureau authorised the following meetings:
a Committee on Rules of Procedure,
Immunities and Institutional Affairs: The Hague, 8-9 December 2008;
b Sub-Committee on Human Rights (of the Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights): Monaco, 9-10 March 2009;
50. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau authorised the following meeting:
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights: Berlin (Germany), 23‑24 March 2009.
2.15 Meetings of the Standing Committee and the Bureau
in 2009
51. On 3 October, the Bureau approved the following dates:
Preliminary proposals for datesNote
Friday 9 January, 9.30 am, Barcelona, Bureau
Monday 26 January, 8.00 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
Friday 30 January, 8.30 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
Thursday 12 March, 3 pm, Paris, Bureau
Friday 13 March, 9.00 am, Paris (to be confirmed), Standing
Committee
Monday 27 April, 8.00 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
Tuesday 5 May, (time and place to be confirmed), Bureau
May, Ljubljana (date to be confirmed), Bureau and Standing
Committee (CM Presidency)
Monday 22 June, 8.00 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
Friday 26 June, 8.30 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
Monday 7 September, 9.30am, Paris, Bureau
Monday 28 September, 8.00 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
Friday 2 October, 8.30 am, Strasbourg (part-session), Bureau
November, Bern (date to be confirmed), Bureau and Standing
Committee (CM Presidency)
Monday 14 December, 9.30 am, Paris, Bureau
3 Relations with other bodies of the Council of
Europe
3.1 Committee of Ministers
3.1.1 Joint Committee (Thursday, 29 January 2009 at
6.30 pm)
52. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau agreed to propose to
the Committee of Ministers to include the following items on the
agenda:
a The Council of Europe’s
60th Anniversary and the May 2009 meeting
of the Committee of Ministers;
b Reform of the European Court of Human Rights: recent developments;
d The situation in Armenia;
e Budgetary prospects for 2010.
4 Relations with other international organisations
and others
4.1 Joint Conference of the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe in 2009
53. On 3 October, the Bureau:
a took note of a letter from Mr Mironov, President of the
CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, proposing that the next joint
conference between the Assembly and the CIS Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly be devoted to the subject of “Ecological security”;
b signalled its agreement in principle with the proposal
to organise this joint conference with the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
of the CIS in 2009 and with the subject suggested;
c asked the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and
Local and Regional Affairs to make more detailed proposals as to
specific topics for the conference.
54. On 27 November, the Bureau approved the proposals for possible
themes for the conference put forward by the Committee on the Environment,
Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs.
4.2 Co-operation between the United Nations and regional
and other organisations
55. On 27 November, the Bureau heard a communication
by Mr Lindblad, Chairperson of the Political Affairs Committee,
on the debate which had taken place and the Resolution adopted by
the General Assembly of the United Nations on this subject.
4.3 European Youth Parliament
56. On 27 November, the Bureau took note of an information
document transmitted by Mr Mignon, Chairperson of the French Parliamentary
Delegation, suggesting the creation of a partnership between the Assembly
and the association “European Youth Parliament”.
4.4 Co-operation agreement between the Assembly and
the Latin American Parliament
57. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau noted that the President
signed this agreement with the President of the Latin American Parliament
on 5 December 2008 (see Appendix II).
5 Elections
5.1 Presidential election in Azerbaijan (15 October
2008)
58. On 27 November, the Bureau approved the report of
the ad hoc committee which had observed this election (rapporteur:
Mr Herkel, Estonia, EPP/CD).
59. On 28 November, the Standing Committee held an exchange of
views on the observation of the presidential election in Azerbaijan
(15 October 2008), and took note of the report of the Bureau Ad
hoc Committee.
5.2 Parliamentary elections in Ukraine (date to be
confirmed)
60. On 27 November, the Bureau was informed by the President
that President Yuschenko had announced that these elections would
be held in 2009.
5.3 Presidential election in “the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia” (22 March 2009)
61. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau, subject to receipt
of an invitation:
a set up an ad
hoc committee to observe these elections, composed of 20 members
in accordance with the “D’Hondt” system (7 EPP/CD, 6 SOC, 3 EDG,
3 ALDE and 1 UEL);
b authorised a pre-electoral mission composed of five members
– one from each political group who were also members of the ad
hoc Committee – on the understanding that it should take place approximately one
month ahead of the elections.
5.4 Parliamentary elections in Moldova (March 2009,
date to be confirmed)
62. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau, subject to receipt
of an invitation:
a set up an ad
hoc committee to observe these elections, composed of 20 members
in accordance with the “D’Hondt” system (7 EPP/CD, 6 SOC, 3 EDG,
3 ALDE and 1 UEL);
b authorised a pre-electoral mission composed of five members
– one from each political group who were also members of the ad
hoc Committee – on the understanding that it should take place approximately one
month ahead of the elections.
5.5 Schedule for 2009
63. On 9 January, the Bureau took note of the elections
which would take place in 2009.
5.6 Meeting of Chairpersons and members of ad hoc
committees for the observation of elections during the period 2006-2008
64. On 9 January, the Bureau was informed that this meeting
would take place on Tuesday 27 January 2009 at the close of business;
6 Budgetary matters
65. On 28 November, the Standing Committee held an exchange
of views on the budgets of the Council of Europe and of the Parliamentary
Assembly for the financial year 2009 adopted by the Committee of
Ministers on 25 November.
66. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau approved a series of measures
proposed by the Secretary General of the Assembly in order to meet
budgetary restrictions [AS/Bur (2009) 06].
7 Other business
7.1 Conferences
7.1.1 Conference organised by the EFI (European Friends
of Israel), Paris, 6 November 2008
67. On 3 October, the Bureau set up an Ad Hoc Committee
composed of 5 members, one from each political group, to attend
the conference.
7.1.2 3rd World Holocaust Forum commemorating the seventy
years since the Kristallnacht,Brussels,10 November 2008
68. On 3 October, the Bureau approved the composition
of the Ad Hoc Committee to participate in the Forum.
7.2 Statements
69. On 3 October, the Bureau took note of a declaration
by the President concerning the petition by the Chief Prosecutor
of Turkey to ban the DTP Party (see on the Assembly web site).
70. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau adopted a statement calling
for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (see on the Assembly web site).
7.3 60th anniversary of
the Council of Europe
71. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau was informed by the
Secretary General of the activities which might be carried out by
the Assembly in the framework of the celebrations planned for this
event.
7.4 Communications
72. On 3 October, the Bureau took note of the communications
of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the
Council of Europe as well as of the Secretary General of the Parliamentary
Assembly.
73. On 27 November, the Bureau took note of the communications
of the President, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary
General of the Council of Europe, as well as the Secretary General
of the Parliamentary Assembly.
74. On 9 January 2009, the Bureau took note of the communications
of the President, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
and of the Secretary General of the Assembly.
Appendix 1
On 9 January 2009, the Bureau approved the
following references and modifications of references, subject to ratification
by the Assembly:
i. References to committees
a. Follow-up to the current affairs debate on “The global
financial crisis: the economic collapse of Iceland”: to the Committee
on Economic Affairs and Development for
report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights for opinion
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Bjarnadóttir and
others
Geothermal Energy: a solution for the future? to the Committee
on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs for report
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Ducarme and others
Armed conflicts and the environment, to the Committee on the
Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs for report
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Rowen and others
Human rights and family courts, to the Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Chope and others
Clarification on the rules of motions, to the Committee on
Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to be taken into account in the preparation
of thereport on "Modifications to the Rules of Procedure"
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Boswell and others
Identity documents and databases, consultation of the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights on
the follow-up to be given
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Omtzigt and others
End the travel ban for Chernobyl children, to the Social,
Health and Family Affairs Committee for
information and to the Political Affairs Committee for information
Motion for a recommendation presented by Ms McCafferty and
others
15 years since the Programme of Action of the International
Conference on Population and Development, to the Committee on Social,
Health and Family Affairs for report and
to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population for opinion
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Biberaj and others
Term of office of co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee,
to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments
by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) for report and to the Committee
on Rules of Procedure and Immunities for
opinion
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr McIntosh and others
The potential contribution of the Council of Europe in the
development of the European Higher Education Area, to the Committee
on Culture, Science and Education for
report at the Standing Committee
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Kiuru and others
Involving women in the prevention and solution of unsolved
conflicts in the Council of Europe area, to the Committee on Equal
Opportunities for Women and Men for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Lambert and others
Discriminatory laws against Macedonian political refugees
from Greece, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Çavuşoğlu and others
Iraqi displacement crisis: a humanitarian disaster, to the
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Wodarg and others
The situation of immigrants and asylum seekers in Southern
Europe, to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Ms Hägg and others
Women's access to lawful medical care: the problem of unregulated
use of conscientious objection, to the Social, Health and Family
Affairs Committee for report and
to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for opinion
ii. Reply after consultation
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Asko-Seljavaara and
others
Prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes and promotion of
healthy nutritional habits among children and the young, to the
Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee for
report
iii. Modification of references
a. Ref. 3483 of 29 September 2008. Motion for a resolution
presented by Mrs Hurskainen and others (Doc. 11678)
The socio-economic potential of the Baltic Sea region, to
the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development for report at the Standing Committee and
to the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional
Affairs for opinion
b. Ref. 3200 of 17 March 2006. Motion for a resolution
presented by Mrs Bousakla and others (Doc. 10753)
Abduction and “re-education” of Muslim women and children
who have become too “Western-minded”, to the Committee on Equal
Opportunities for Women and Men for report and
to the Committee on Social, Health and Family Affairs for opinion
iv. Extension of a reference
a. Ref. 3294 of 22 January 2007. Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Gross and others (Doc. 11073)
The United Nations – Reform and the Council of Europe member
states
validity 22 January 2009, extended until 30 June 2009
Appendix 2 Co-operation agreement between the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament
(5 December 2008)
I. Aim of the Agreement
1. The aim of the agreement is to enhance co-operation between
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the
Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), while fully respecting their
respective competencies. In view of their common concerns and complementarity
at intercontinental level, the two assemblies agree to establish
a political dialogue, particularly with a view to promoting the
principles of parliamentary democracy, the rule of law and respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
2. The Parlatino will encourage the competent authorities
to make use of the possibilities to sign, ratify or accede to the
relevant Council of Europe conventions, which are open to non-member
states, as well as the expertise offered by the European Commission
for Democracy through Law (“Venice Commission”) and by the European
Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (“North-South Centre”).
3. In particular, the Parlatino and the PACE will endeavour
to encourage the competent Latin American authorities to introduce
a moratorium on executions and abolish the death penalty, where
necessary.
II. Reciprocal Representation
4. The PACE and the Parlatino will invite each other to be
represented at their respective statutory plenary meetings. The
Presidents will be invited, at appropriate intervals, to address
each other’s sessions.
5. The same arrangements will apply to ad hoc meetings, such
as conferences, seminars, symposia and other events, organised by
the PACE or the Parlatino.
III. Joint Activities
6. Based on their respective mandates, the PACE and the Parlatino
may jointly organise, or co-operate in the organisation of, specific
events which fall in areas of common concern, notably parliamentary
democracy, rule of law, human rights and North-South relations.
IV. Working Arrangements
7. The PACE will put at the disposal of the Parlatino its
expertise on parliamentary practice and procedure.
8. The PACE and the Parlatino will exchange official documentation,
including orders of business of statutory meetings and adopted resolutions
and recommendations, on a regular basis.
9. Documents of mutual interest may be sent to members of
the two assemblies. When appropriate the PACE and the Parlatino
may submit written communications on subjects under consideration
in the other Assembly.
10. Senior officials of PACE and the Parlatino’s secretariats
will meet for consultations at suitable intervals to strengthen
co-operation and co-ordination between the two assemblies.
11. The PACE is ready to organise traineeships in the framework
of this Agreement.
V. Final Provision
12. This Co-operation Agreement enters into force on the day
of its signature by both parties. It may be amended by mutual consent,
or suspended or annulled by either one of the parties.
