26/10/2007 President
“Through its Statute and the obligations and commitments of its members, the Council of Europe has created a family of united European states. We bring together all the continent’s peoples, cultures and religions. This, combined with the democratic dimension of the Parliamentary Assembly, makes us an inclusive forum,” said PACE President René van der Linden, speaking at the colloquy organised by the Université Robert Schuman in Strasbourg on the theme “The future of the Council of Europe vis-à-vis other international organisations”.
“No other international organisation can boast these advantages, but the Council of Europe will not fulfil this potential if it does not focus on its core business: promoting and protecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” concluded Mr van der Linden.