10/10/2023 | 19:17:53 Mister Chairperson, Ladies and gentlemen, Let me begin by thanking you very much for this comprehensive report. This report shows that France has a functioning state, that France is a country of human rights, and that France is, of course, a functioning democracy. A large part of the report also has my full support. But there are individual passages where, in my opinion, the report is based on the wrong basic tone. I would like to mention two examples here. I believe that in France, compared... 09/10/2023 | 15:37:28 Dear President, dear colleagues, I had the pleasure to lead the election observation delegation for the early parliamentary elections held in Montenegro on 11 June. Our delegation co-operated closely with the delegation from the European Parliament, led by our colleague Mr Nikos Papandreou. Of course, as always, we worked closely with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). We had a very smooth and fruitful co-operation in the framework of our international... 22/06/2023 | 16:42:52 Dear President, Dear colleagues, Of course, we all fully support Ukraine in the war against Russia. On the other hand, I also fully support the point of view that we have to respect the autonomy of sporting organisations. I am a strong defender of sport's right to make its own choices without government interference. If governments or parliamentary forums try to decide which outlets can take part in which competitions, it would mean, for me, the end of world sport as we know it today. Sport... 26/04/2023 | 17:37:47 Dear President, dear colleagues, The reality of climate change is more evident with each passing year. The recent extreme heat waves and tragic floods point to the urgency to act before it is too late. The overwhelming scientific evidence of global warming suggests that we are fast approaching the tipping point of no return and underline the urgency to act swiftly and resolutely to keep global warming below 1.5°C. The Russian war in Ukraine further amplifies the need to decrease our... 25/04/2023 | 17:56:44 Dear Chairperson, dear colleagues. It is so important that, in times like this, the Council of Europe has one of its most important concerns as human rights and the protection of human rights. It is one of the greatest achievements in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights. To date, all member States of the Council of Europe have acceded to the convention. Austria has been a state party to the European Convention on Human Rights since 1958. The Convention has, in Austria... 24/01/2023 | 18:05:50 Dear colleagues. Yes, Europe is facing several extraordinary challenges, as many of the speakers mentioned it before. The biggest of course is the return of a large-scale war of aggression in Europe. And here the resilience of European democracies, their respect for human rights and their respect for the rule of law are the best guarantees for prosperity, security and a peaceful future in all our 46 countries. So this 4th Summit should confirm, how I see it, and be focused on the three... 23/01/2023 | 16:41:42 Madam President, Dear Colleagues, Thousands of individuals who acted in the name of Daesh perpetrated serious crimes under international law. There is conclusive evidence that Daesh has committed genocidal acts against members of Yazidi, Christians and non-Sunni Muslims. Many of these acts, such as enslavement, sexual slavery, rape, imprisonment, torture, and murder also amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. With the territorial defeat of Daesh in 2017, thousands of people from... 22/06/2022 | 10:32:28 Dear President, Dear colleagues, The number of antisemitic incidents around the world dramatically increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, as my colleague Ms Petra BAYR, our rapporteur, already mentioned in her presentation. Conspiracy theories began to rise, blaming Jews for spreading the virus. It is therefore important, that our Assembly already started a long time ago with initiatives, inviting member states to implement anti-racism strategies and to do more in combating antisemitism... 21/06/2022 | 10:43:32 Dear President, Dear colleagues, In March 2022 the EU approved its new Strategic Compass for security and defence. At the time when we witness the return of war in Europe, many of us like me, we thought after 1989 it cannot happen again. What a big mistake. But the Compass now gives the European Union an ambitious plan for action, for strengthening the EU Common Security and Defence Policy by 2030. The more hostile environment requires our countries to make a big leap forward and increase our... 26/04/2022 | 10:57:10 Dear President, Dear Colleagues, First of all I want to congratulate the rapporteur for his holistic report. I think, after the exclusion of Russia from the Council of Europe, and the invasion of Ukraine, we have a new stage and this raises numerous questions about the future strategic orientation of the Council of Europe. Here it is very important to have this topic today on our agenda. It is also important that in May in Turin the ministerial meeting will also discuss this issue. Among...