25/01/2012 Session
Speaking to British Prime Minister David Cameron, who delivered a speech today to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), its President Jean-Claude Mignon stressed that considering the challenges Europe is facing "it is essential to remain united and committed".
"Europe is facing new challenges: the economic and financial crisis and its impact on the eurozone, the crisis of representative democracy and the growing role of the Internet and social networks in politics, the rise of intolerance and extremism, revolutionary changes in our neighborhood ... To address these challenges, it is essential to remain united and committed, " the Assembly President said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron told the Assembly today that the 47 countries of the Council of Europe had a "once in a generation" chance to improve the cause of human rights, freedom and dignity by reforming the European Court of Human Rights.
"For the sake of the 800 million people the Court serves, we need to reform it so that it is true to its original purpose," Mr Cameron told the Assembly.
"Already 47 members are agreed on this, and great work has been done. Now we would like to use our Chairmanship to help progress that work. This is the right moment for reform – reforms that are practical, sensible and that enhance the reputation of the Court."