20/06/2011 | Session
“During this session, we will face a historic decision to grant the first ever ‘Partner for Democracy’ status to the parliament of a country beyond Europe’s geographical borders. The fact that this country is the Kingdom of Morocco gives this moment an even greater significance,” said the President of PACE this morning at the opening of the summer session in Strasbourg. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu once again called for a summit of heads of state and government to be held to put the recommendations of the report, ‘Living together – Combining diversity and freedom in 21st century Europe’, into practice.
20/06/2011 | Session
Speaking at a press conference today, PACE President Mevlüt Cavusoglu announced that the Assembly’s Migration Committee will carry out an inquiry into the tragic incident of 8 May, in which reportedly 61 boat people escaping from Libya died after their appeals for rescue had been ignored by armed forces operating in the Mediterranean. “We have a clear moral and legal obligation to save persons in distress. No vessel can ignore an appeal for rescue,” he said.
20/06/2011 | Session
PACE today welcomed the decision by the Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to introduce a biennial programme and budget for 2012-2013, which the Assembly sees as a major step forward, provided that the rules of implementation allow a flexible use of appropriations.
20/06/2011 | Session
During a parliamentary debate on the expenditure of the Assembly for 2012-2013, based on the report by Erol Aslan Cebeci (Turkey, EPP/CD), PACE reiterated its support for the reform process undertaken by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. In this connection, it has set up an ad hoc Committee on the Reform of the Assembly, whose aims are to strengthen the Assembly’s political relevance and effectiveness, to make it more visible and to improve the participation of its members, while reinforcing its interaction with national parliaments.
20/06/2011 | Session
Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, currently Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, says that Ukraine wants to see tolerant, open and mutually supportive societies based on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, thrive across Europe. Speaking today to the Assembly, he said that Ukraine has agreed shared priorities for its period in office, with protection of children’s rights topping the list.
10/06/2011 | Session
Addresses by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will be among highlights of the summer plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg on 20-24 June 2011. Support for fledgling Arab democracies will be the main theme on Tuesday, when the parliamentarians will decide on the Moroccan Parliament’s request for “Partner for Democracy” status with the Assembly...
15/04/2011 | Session
While underlining that climate change compounds the problem of malnutrition in the world’s most arid regions, the Assembly drew attention to the fact that water shortages also led to acts of violence and conflicts “which may threaten a state’s political and social stability”. The close links between water and security are being confirmed, said the parliamentarians, while noting that water had become “a military and political tool and a new weapon for terrorists”.
15/04/2011 | Session
PACE has called on Council of Europe governments to adopt 15 guiding principles for treating unaccompanied children arriving at their borders – mainly boys of 14 to 17 who are escaping war, violence or extreme poverty. In a resolution approved today, based on a report by Mailis Reps (Estonia, ALDE), the parliamentarians said such children should never be refused entry, deported or held in detention, and should receive special assistance commensurate with their age.
15/04/2011 | Session
PACE today adopted a resolution and a recommendation advocating a series of measures to be taken by member states and the Committee of Ministers to protect migrant women in the labour market. In particular, the Assembly called on member states to improve laws and policies that regulate the employment of women migrant workers. Member states were also urged to encourage countries of origin to create an effective system of information on jobs abroad, to help women avoid the dangers of trafficking and target appropriate jobs.
14/04/2011 | Session
All European states should share collectively the responsibility for dealing with the arrival of large numbers of irregular migrants, refugees and asylum seekers on Europe’s southern shores following events in North Africa, according to PACE. In a resolution based on a report by Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC), adopted today following an urgent debate in Strasbourg, the Assembly welcomed the efforts so far of the “frontline states” to provide humanitarian assistance in line with their international obligations.
14/04/2011 | Session
When opening the current affairs debate on “the situation in Northern Africa” this morning, Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC) said that when citizens were confronted with threats and were fighting a daily battle against poverty, unemployment and unpredictable security services, their dignity ultimately suffered, and that it was not surprising that revolutionary movements had emerged in certain Northern African countries. “Leaders should never treat their people with violence and these populations should be helped to live in dignity,” he said.
14/04/2011 | Session
PACE today asked European governments for specific legal, economic and social measures to improve the situation of rural women. The Assembly members stressed that unemployment, poverty and low quality or absence of basic services particularly affected rural women, as did stereotyped roles and subordinate status, the outcome of traditional attitudes. Following the proposals of the rapporteur Carmen Quintanilla, (Spain, EPP/CD), the parliamentarians called for measures aimed specifically at improving their situation and fostering equal opportunities.