29/09/2009 | Session
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) has unanimously elected Anne Brasseur new President of the Group. Mrs Brasseur, engaged in politics since 1975, has a long and rich experience of parliamentary work. She was Minister of National Education and Sports of Luxembourg (1999-2004) and at present chairs PACE's Committee on Culture, Science and Education.
28/09/2009 | Session
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today elected two of its Vice-Presidents : Dzhema Grozdanova, with respect to Bulgaria and Juan Moscoso del Prado Hernández, with respect fo Spain.
28/09/2009 | Session
What strategies are currently being implemented in Europe and the United States to support green business? Are new environmentally-friendly technologies and solutions emerging on both continents? What policies have governments already introduced to foster green growth? All of these issues will be explored at a debate to be held jointly by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Alsace Regional Council, on Tuesday 29 September 2009, from 8 to 9.30 p.m.
28/09/2009 | Session
At the opening of its autumn session (28 September-2 October 2009) in Strasbourg this morning, the Assembly decided to hold a current affairs debate on Wednesday 30 September on the situation of human rights defenders and the growing violence in the North Caucasus region. The parliamentarians also decided to discuss the reconsideration, on substantive grounds, of the already ratified credentials of the Russian delegation, an item which will be debated on Thursday 1 October, and a challenge to the credentials of the Moldovan delegation, a question which will be discussed on the evening of Wednesday 30th September. The highlights of the session include debates on the challenges of climate change and the situation one year after the war between Georgia and Russia, and the election of the new Council of Europe Secretary General.
28/09/2009 | Session
In his opening speech the President recalled that he had stressed on several occasions how important it was not only to have a vote, but also to ensure that it is a strong vote, showing significant political support for the future Secretary General. “I therefore believe that, after the events of the last few months, the person elected to the head of this organisation, whoever he or she may be, will not have the slightest doubt that the confidence shown by the Assembly will have to be earned – and that we will be vigilant and demanding,” he said.
17/09/2009 | Session
The challenges posed by climate change, the war between Russia and Georgia one year after and the election of the Council of Europe’s new Secretary General are among highlights of PACE autumn session in Strasbourg (28 September-2 October 2009). Slovenian President Danilo Türk will address the Assembly and French Secretary of State for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche will take part in a debate on the future of the Council of Europe in the light of its 60 years of experience.
26/06/2009 | Session
In an opinion prepared by Miljenko Doric (Croatia, ALDE) and unanimously adopted at today’s plenary sitting, PACE came out in favour of two draft protocols, one on the right of citizens to participate in the affairs of a local authority and the other on Euroregional co-operation groupings (ECGs). The Assembly welcomed these initiatives, which it had in fact encouraged in its Recommendation 1829 in 2008 on transfrontier co-operation.
26/06/2009 | Session
Following a debate on so-called "honour crimes", the Assembly has called on member states to draw up and put into effect national action plans to combat violence against women, including violence committed in the name of so-called "honour". PACE has also asked national parliaments to pass legislation, if they have not yet done so, to make such offences, providing for a penalty commensurate with the gravity of the acts committed both for their perpetrators and for any accomplices.
26/06/2009 | Session
History teaching can be a tool for promoting peace and reconciliation in conflict and post-conflict areas and tolerance and understanding. At the close of the debate on the subject, the parliamentarians stressed that a multiple-perspective approach, rather than a single interpretation of events, would encourage pupils to respect diversity and cultural differences. The text adopted, which is based on a report by Cecilia Keaveney (Ireland, ALDE), suggests focusing history teaching more "on socio-economic, cultural, artistic and heritage elements and less on politics", while assuring those concerned of the resources necessary for research, training and innovation.
26/06/2009 | Session
PACE is to create a new “Partner for democracy” status for the parliaments of countries neighbouring the Council of Europe area – provided they agree to work towards the Organisation’s values such as free elections and abolition of the death penalty. The new status would allow parliamentary delegations from the southern Mediterranean, Middle East and central Asia to take part in the work of the Assembly and speak in debates, but without the right to vote.
25/06/2009 | Session
At the close of a parliamentary debate on nuclear energy and renewable energies that took place today on the basis of reports by Bill Etherington (United Kingdom, SOC) and Jean-François Le Grand (France, EPP/CD), the Assembly invited member states to take nuclear energy into account in their policies for diversifying energy sources, as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Member states should also take concrete measures to solve the problem of radioactive waste storage.
25/06/2009 | Session
Adressing the Assembly, Borut Pahor, Prime Minister of Slovenia which presently holds the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, described the PACE as the "most appropriate platform for a state to learn the basics of democracy". A former member of the Assembly, Borut Pahor stressed the importance of multilateralism and co-operation between international organisations: "In the time of globalisation, this is the only way of ensuring respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law", he said.