26/05/2025 President | Political Affairs and Democracy
“The Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a turning point in our post-war history. It is not just a geopolitical crisis – it is a moral one,” PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos said today at the opening of the PACE Political Affairs Committee meeting in Chania, Greece. Referring to the reports to be adopted by the committee on Europe’s commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and on prisoners of war, he emphasised: “They are a line of defence for international law, for accountability, and for the dignity of every victim.”
The Council of Europe, he added, “must remain a platform for the world, not out of ambition, but out of responsibility. Our values are not European by geography, they are universal by nature.”
“If we are to be effective, the Assembly must remain an equal statutory organ, not in name alone, but in practice. That means strategic co-operation with the Committee of Ministers, not parallel paths, but shared action. I intend to continue developing this political dialogue, and I know this committee will do the same,” the President underlined.
The President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic George Gerapetritis, as well as the Chairperson of the Greek delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly Dora Bakoyannis, addressed the members of the Political Affairs Committee at the opening of the meeting.
Items on the agenda include hearings on “Political parties and democracy”, “Strengthening freedom of expression: an imperative for the consolidation and development of democratic societies”, the “Situation in the Middle East” and “Russian democratic forces”. The participants will also hold an exchange of views with Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
