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PACE calls for action to develop ‘an ethical culture’ at the Council of Europe, strengthens its own anti-corruption rules

PACE calls for action to develop ‘an ethical culture’ at the Council of Europe, strengthens its own anti...

09/04/2025 | Session

PACE has called for more action to develop “an ethical culture” within the Council of Europe – and has reinforced its own rules on ethics and anti-corruption. Adopting a resolution based on a report by Frank Schwabe (Germany, SOC), the Assembly recalled the corruption scandal linked to Azerbaijan...

Xavier Bettel: Europe must stay united in a geographical context under pressure

Xavier Bettel: Europe must stay united in a geographical context under pressure

09/04/2025 | Session

In a communication to the Parliamentary Assembly, the Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, presented an initial review of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers and emphasised the challenges facing Europe. He began by deploring the calling...

PACE calls for the ‘immediate release’ of the Mayor of Istanbul, whose arrest and detention ‘appear politically-motivated’

PACE calls for the ‘immediate release’ of the Mayor of Istanbul, whose arrest and detention ‘appear...

09/04/2025 | Session

Following an urgent procedure debate held today in Strasbourg in plenary session, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called on the Turkish authorities “to release immediately Ekrem İmamoğlu”, the Mayor of Istanbul, who was arrested on 19 March 2025, placed in pre-trial...

HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg: 'We have built this project of peace in Europe together'

HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg: 'We have built this project of peace in Europe together'

09/04/2025 | Session

In his address to the parliamentarians, His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg praised the work of the Council of Europe, which has transformed Europe into a continent of law and peace and has succeeded in establishing a unique form of co-operation between the various countries. He also...

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...

The European Court of Human Rights Building
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PACE elects Sébastien Biancheri judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Monaco

08/04/2025 | Election of Judges

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today elected Sébastien Biancheri as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Monaco. Mr Biancheri, having obtained a majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of Human Rights for a term of office of...

The 2025 Europe Prize is awarded to Gaziantep in Türkiye

The 2025 Europe Prize is awarded to Gaziantep in Türkiye

08/04/2025 | Prizes

The 2025 Europe Prize has been awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to the city of Gaziantep in Türkiye. The Prize is awarded each year to the city that has been most active in promoting the European ideal. Gaziantep is a city of 1,200,000 inhabitants located in...

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...