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PACE calls for accountability and justice for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

PACE calls for accountability and justice for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

09/04/2025 | Session

“More than eleven years after its start, the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine continues to rage, causing endless damage and suffering to Ukraine and its people,” today reaffirmed PACE following an urgent debate. The Assembly warned...

PACE Secretary General and PACE President meeting with former PACE presidents during the 2025 spring session

Former PACE Presidents reflect on the biggest challenge of their time in office

08/04/2025 | Session

Seven former Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly gathered in the Assembly’s debating chamber today, on the first day of its 2025 spring session, at the invitation of current President Theodoros Rousopoulos – and took time out to talk about the biggest challenge they faced during their time...

Xavier Espot highlights Council of Europe’s role in modernising Andorra’s democratic and legal framework

Xavier Espot highlights Council of Europe’s role in modernising Andorra’s democratic and legal framework

08/04/2025 | Session

“Over the past thirty years, the Council of Europe has become an essential ally in the modernisation of our institutions and legislation, and the guarantor of the balance between the rights and duties of citizens in building an advanced, responsible and sustainable democracy,” he said. In his...

Current affairs debate on the 'Protests and rallies in the Western Balkans and Central Europe'

Current affairs debate on the 'Protests and rallies in the Western Balkans and Central Europe'

08/04/2025 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly, during its spring plenary session, held a current affairs debate on the “Protests and rallies in the Western Balkans and Central Europe”. George Papandreou (Greece, SOC) opened the debate.28 speakers took the floor during the debate. No report is prepared for a current...

Secretary General Alain Berset takes questions from members of the Assembly

Secretary General Alain Berset takes questions from members of the Assembly

08/04/2025 | Session

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset took questions from members of the Parliamentary Assembly in his traditional question-and-answer session during the PACE spring plenary session. Members put some 28 questions in total.  

The Assembly decided to amend various provisions of its Rules of Procedure

The Assembly decides to amend various provisions of its Rules of Procedure

08/04/2025 | Session

Adopting a resolution today, based on a report by Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALDE), PACE has decided to amend its Rules of Procedure, in particular to strengthen the youth perspective in the Assembly's work and enable the establishment of youth rapporteurs; and to improve transparency and...

PACE urges resilience against ‘foreign interference’ aiming to undermine democracy in Europe

Citing Russia, PACE urges resilience against ‘foreign interference’ aiming to undermine democracy in Europe

08/04/2025 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has urged European countries to build resilience against “foreign interference” which aims to undermine democracy in Europe – calling for transparency in government and politics, stronger democratic institutions and an informed and...

Putting an end to collective expulsions of aliens

Putting an end to collective expulsions of aliens

08/04/2025 | Session

PACE today expressed concern about the growing divergence between international law and member states’ practice as regards collective expulsions of foreigners, recalling that such expulsions are “formally prohibited under Article 4 of Protocol No. 4 to the European Convention on Human Rights...

PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos

'The outcome of the war of aggression against Ukraine is bound to shape the future of our continent', PACE...

07/04/2025 | Session

“The outcome of the war of aggression against Ukraine is bound to shape the future of our continent. European democracies must continue to fully support Ukraine in its fight against the brutal and illegal aggression by the Russian Federation and strengthen this support as much as needed,” said...

Amid global challenges, Commissioner O’Flaherty urges action to reaffirm human rights and dignity

Amid global challenges, Commissioner O’Flaherty urges action to reaffirm human rights and dignity

07/04/2025 | Session

Presenting his first annual report today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, warns that we stand at an inflection point for human rights and urges member states to renew their commitment to human rights. Addressing members of national parliaments from the 46...

Despite some shortcomings, the calm and inclusive conduct of the elections to the Assembly of Kosovo* is ‘a positive step towards bringing the country into line with Council of Europe standards’

Despite some shortcomings, the calm and inclusive conduct of the elections to the Assembly of Kosovo* is ‘a...

07/04/2025 | Session

Despite some shortcomings and a polarised environment marked by increasingly harsh rhetoric, the calm and inclusive conduct of the elections to the Assembly of Kosovo on 9 February 2025 and the commitment of voters to democracy “represent a positive step towards bringing the country into line...

PACE reviews the work of its subsidiary bodies since the last session

PACE reviews the work of its subsidiary bodies since the last session

07/04/2025 | Session

The lists of candidates for the posts of judges at the European Court of Human Rights submitted by Monaco and the Slovak Republic; the observation of the recent elections to the Assembly of Kosovo*, and of the upcoming elections in Albania and Poland; the role of parliamentarians in drawing up a...