18/03/2011 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 18.03.2011 – Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), who is preparing a report on the request submitted by the Palestinian National Council for “Partner for democracy” status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), is to make a fact-finding visit to the Palestinian Territories from 21 to 25 March 2011.
“Partner for democracy” status allows parliamentary delegations mainly from countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and central Asia to take part in the Assembly's activities in return for commitments to pursue the values upheld by the Council of Europe, hold free and fair elections and work towards abolishing the death penalty, among others.
In Ramallah, Mr Kox is due to meet the Speaker of the Palestinian National Council Salim Al Za’noun as well as President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. He will also hold talks with the Foreign, Justice, Womens’ Affairs and Prisons Ministers, as well as electoral officials, members of the judiciary, trade union officials and representatives of the media and human rights organisations.
Contact: PACE Communication Division, tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 31 93.