24/06/2026 | 16:56:30 Thank you, Mr Chairman. Dear colleagues, Having read this Report, it is clear that we are witnessing a systemic failure in Azerbaijan's compliance with any fundamental human rights standards. I am therefore encouraged that this Assembly is resisting calls to ease pressure on a member state that continues to fall significantly short of its obligations. Adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights is not optional, nor is it something that can be applied selectively. It is a binding... 23/06/2026 | 11:43:32 Madam Speaker. Dear colleagues, We're here once again stating the obvious – stating what should be an undisputable obligation for all of us, the strict observance of the rule of law, of democracy, respect and implementation of all European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions by all states that wish to be members of this esteemed organisation. And yet here we are, time and time again, reminding the world that Mr Selahattin DEMIRTAŞ is still in jail, that Mr Osman KAVALA is still in jail... 30/09/2025 | 11:39:29 Thank you, Mister President. First, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, for his invaluable work, and we're very much looking forward to his report. Dear colleagues, Regrettably, but not surprisingly, we find ourselves deliberating democracy, rule of law and inclusive dialogue in Türkiye. According to the "Freedom in the World 2025" report, Türkiye ranks among the top 10 countries with the sharpest decline in freedoms over the past decade. Dear colleagues, let us not... 09/04/2025 | 20:00:49 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Unfortunately, but perhaps not unexpectedly, we are once again gathered to address the deteriorating state of democracy and human rights in Turkey. The recent arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu has sent shockwaves across the nation, reigniting memories of the Gezi Park protests and laying bare the fragility of democratic institutions under the current regime. Yet, let us not fall into the trap of treating this arrest as an isolated event. It is but... 30/01/2025 | 16:26:45 Thank you, Madam President. First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the rapporteur for her important work in preparing this report. Every effort aimed at advancing gender equality and a more inclusive job market must have gender budgeting at its core, thereby creating more diverse, resilient, and innovative economies. Gender budgeting has been on the agenda in several European countries and international organisations for some years now. Raising awareness of the... 28/01/2025 | 12:27:09 Dear colleagues, First and foremost, I would like to thank the rapporteur Ms Dora BAKOYANNIS for this excellent report. Amidst rising geopolitical tensions in both Europe and the Middle East, unilateral acts of aggression against sovereign states, unprecedented humanitarian crises and the disregard for international norms have seriously undermined multilateralism and people’s trust in international institutions. Extremist narratives are on the rise, not only across the Atlantic but also in... 01/10/2024 | 20:38:00 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, I wish to sincerely congratulate our Rapporteur Mr. Max Lucks for his unambiguous stance as regards Iran and for underlying the explicit danger we face in attempting to mitigate the effects or soften the image of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Not only is Iran sponsoring global terrorism it is also massively violating the fundamental rights and freedoms of its own people both within and outside its borders and blackmailing... 01/10/2024 | 13:03:25 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, In today’s digital era of instant information and communication, the use of propaganda has been elevated into a dominant trend, characterized by limitless potential and increasing sophistication. In the common effort to address this phenomenon, the role of the CoE is vital, especially in fostering cross-border collaboration through its pertinent mechanisms. The Council should urge member States to fully adhere with the... 30/09/2024 | 16:55:36 Thank you Mister President. Dear colleagues, I would like to firstly thank Ms Eka SEPASHVILI for this excellent report. It is positive that in the Reykjavík Declaration, there is a specific provision on the Council of Europe Development Bank, thus acknowledging and recognising the Bank’s essential role in initiating and driving sustainable projects across our continent, consistent with the vision and core values of this organisation, but also with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. I... 18/04/2024 | 18:40:20 Thank you, Mister President. Dear colleagues, it is extremely difficult to discuss ways in which this Assembly could alleviate the terrible human suffering in Gaza as the bloodshed continues and as the only interlocutors in the conflict are the State of Israel, on the one hand, and the terrorist organisation, namely Hamas, on the other. How can one sit around the negotiating table with a terrorist organisation, how can one compromise with Hamas? The Palestinian authorities are fortunately...