07/03/2012 | President
“The activities of the Council of Europe and the European Union are complementary: they pursue the common goal of creating a space for human rights protection throughout Europe, in the interests of all European citizens,” said PACE President, Jean-Claude Mignon, at the end of a two-day visit to Brussels, which included a series of high-level talks with various representatives of the European institutions.“We must avoid duplication of the Council’s and EU activities, while attempting to set up new synergies,” he added.
06/03/2012 | President
PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon will be holding high-level talks in Brussels on 6 and 7 March with Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, and Pierre Vimont, Executive Secretary General of the European External Action Service.
29/02/2012 | President
“We must redouble our efforts as parliamentarians and lawmakers to promote the empowerment and emancipation of rural women,” said PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon today at a meeting held in New York by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women on the occasion of the 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
29/02/2012 | President
PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon has called for a “strong partnership” between the Council of Europe and the organs of the United Nations in dealing with crises, such as the current situation in Syria, during a meeting in New York with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
28/02/2012 | President
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Jean-Claude Mignon, today appealed to the Ukrainian authorities to free former Ukrainian Minister of the Interior Yuriy Lutsenko, who was yesterday sentenced by a court in Kyiv to four years' imprisonment for exceeding his official powers and for abuse of office.
27/02/2012 | President
When it comes to combating violence against women, "we are all responsible – parliaments, international organisations, diplomatic missions and non-governmental organisations – whether we are involved in the political sphere or on the ground, we must all work together to disseminate the international instruments and spread the practices which can turn the tide," said PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon, speaking in New York today at an event held on the sidelines of the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
24/02/2012 | President
Jean-Claude Mignon, PACE President will be meeting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in New York on 29 February. Their talks will focus primarily on co-operation between the two organisations in crisis management in the world and on promoting democracy and human rights.
23/02/2012 | President
PACE President, Jean-Claude Mignon, said today that he was deeply shocked at the death of the French photographer Rémi Ochlik and the American journalist Marie Colvin working for the Sunday Times, who were both killed in the bombardment of Homs. “On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly, I would like to express my sincerest sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of the victims.”
15/02/2012 | President
Increased co-operation between the Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament was the main focus of meetings held yesterday and today in Strasbourg by the PACE President, Jean-Claude Mignon. During these meetings Jean-Claude Mignon advocated increased reciprocal participation in activities of common interest organised by the two institutions, including joint field visits.
14/02/2012 | President
Media professionals have a genuine power to "convey a positive message of intercultural dialogue and promote ideological, cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity" PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon declared today in Strasbourg at the opening of a colloquy on the theme "Media which express cultural diversity: situation and prospects", organised by the University of Strasbourg's UNESCO Chair.
13/02/2012 | President
During an exchange of views yesterday with the European Affairs Committee of the French Senate, PACE President, Jean-Claude Mignon, recalled the main activities carried out by the Council of Europe, which focuses on the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. On this occasion, Mr Mignon presented the priorities of his Presidency.
06/02/2012 | President
"While the whole of Europe is in the grip of a dreadful cold spell, which is reported to have killed over 300 people, we all have a moral duty to show solidarity to the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens", said PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon, speaking today. "Reporting the presence of any homeless persons who are outdoors exposed to the bad weather, taking an interest in the health of elderly neighbours who live alone, giving a helping hand to the charities working in the streets, these are ways of not just providing comfort, but also saving lives, in the present situation."