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PACE President reacts to Russian military attack on Ukraine

PACE President Tiny Kox
©Council of Europe

“I am deeply appalled by the military attack of the Russian Federation against Ukraine that started last night,” said the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Tiny Kox. “I urge the Russian Federation to immediately end its military action and withdraw its forces from Ukraine.”

"This attack is in clear breach of the principles and values that the Council of Europe and its member states stand for. It requires a robust and consolidated response from our Organisation.

I am therefore convening an urgent meeting of the Joint Committee between the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to co-ordinate our concerted reaction to this unprecedented crisis in Europe.

I am also proposing to the Bureau of the Assembly to advance our second part-session with a view to immediately addressing the situation and its consequences.”

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The PACE President has convened a meeting of the Joint Committee, which brings together a representative of each Council of Europe member government and a corresponding number of representatives from the Assembly, at 11am tomorrow, Friday 25 February 2022.

Under its Terms of Reference, the Joint Committee may “examine the problems which are common to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly”. Its meetings are not public.