21/10/2021 European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
“The subjects of our conference, here in Athens, are linked into three very vital issues of our time. Not so much in terms of discussion but more so for action to be taken. And this meeting is an opportunity for us to demonstrate that we are in a position to promote dialogue, but also to advice governments to promote action. Because action is needed today more than ever to respond to current challenges”, said the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Constantine An. Tassoulas, opening in Athens the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament.
Mr Tassoulas presented the three major topical issues of discussion: democracies facing the Covid-19 public health crisis, national parliaments and the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, and the common future of all European citizens.
“Here today, as representatives of more than 800 million Europeans,” he said, “we need to show to everybody that the Council of Europe, via the parliamentary meetings, via its Parliamentary Assembly, will remain the protector of the rule of law, of human rights and of parliamentary representative democracy. Because that is where our roots lie.”
And the new branches bringing out of these rules, he concluded, will be protection of the environment, protection against fake news and protection against health crises. So, these are new branches of human rights,” he concluded.