04/11/2011 | Political Affairs and Democracy
A solution to the current stalemate in the North of Kosovo (*) lies in seeking a compromise, with all sides making concessions, said PACE’s rapporteur on the situation in Kosovo Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), speaking at the end of a three-day visit to Kosovo. “A continued stand-off does not serve the medium or long-term interests of anyone involved,” said Mr von Sydow, speaking at a press conference today in Pristina.
03/11/2011 | President
"The promotion of human rights at local and regional level must be seen from an inter-institutional perspective and all Council of Europe bodies should seek to make best use of their respective competences and strengths, in order to foster synergies", PACE President said today in Kyiv adressing the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Local and Regional Government.
03/11/2011 | President
"In order to counteract the crisis of the mechanisms of representative democracy, we suggest exploring new mechanisms of participatory democracy in order to enable all to participate effectively in the conduct of public affairs at local, regional, national and European levels. This is necessary to boost social capital in our societies – reinforce trust in the political system as well as in the democratic decision-making process", PACE President said today in Kyiv addressing the students of the National University Taras Shevchenko.
31/10/2011 | Election observation
The presidential election in Kyrgyzstan was conducted in a peaceful manner, but shortcomings underscored that the integrity of the electoral process should be improved to consolidate democratic practice in line with international commitments, international observers concluded in a joint statement issued today.
29/10/2011 | Political Affairs and Democracy
Luca Volontè (Italy, EPP/CD), PACE rapporteur on the “Request for Partner for Democracy status with PACE by the Parliament of Morocco”, expressed his concern about the announcement last night, by the anti-terrorist court of Salé (Morocco), of the sentencing to death of the main accused in the bombing that killed 17 people late April in Marrakech.
28/10/2011 | Monitoring
Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin (Sweden, EPP/CD) and Mailis Reps (Estonia, ALDE), PACE co-rapporteurs on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Ukraine, will make a fact-finding visit to the country on 2-4 November 2011. They are due to meet, in particular, the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, the Ministers of the Interior and of Education and leaders of political parties.
28/10/2011 | Political Affairs and Democracy
Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), Chairman of the PACE Political Affairs Committee and rapporteur on the situation in Kosovo, will make a field visit on 2-4 November 2011 to evaluate the political situation. The rapporteur will have meetings with the authorities of Kosovo and also with representatives of political forces, local government and NGOs.
28/10/2011 | Election observation
A five-member PACE delegation, led by Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), will carry out a pre-electoral mission to Moscow on 8-11 November 2011, to assess the electoral framework and campaign ahead of the Russian parliamentary elections on 4 December 2011. The delegation will meet leaders of political factions in the Duma and party list leaders...
27/10/2011 | President
PACE President met with the Speaker of Russia's Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, in Moscow today. "The Federation Council is a long-standing constructive partner and our co-operation has always been very fruitful," Mr Cavusoglu said. He also expressed PACE's support for ongoing reforms aiming at modernising Russia’s political system and strengthening the rule of law, in line with European democratic standards.
26/10/2011 | President
"Counterfeiting medicines is one of the most hideous crimes, as it preys on peoples’ weaknesses and vulnerability. Even worse, fake drugs can kill. This is why this Convention is only the first step in the right direction. We must ensure respect to the right to benefit from any measures enabling people to enjoy the highest possible standard of health attainable" PACE President said today in Moscow addressing the Conference on the occasion of the opening for signature of the CoE Medicrime Convention.
25/10/2011 | Election observation
A five-member PACE delegation headed by Nursuna Memecan (Turkey, ALDE) will travel to the Kyrgyz Republic from 27 to 31 October to observe the presidential election alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
24/10/2011 | President
"The current political developments in the South Mediterranean represent a unique opportunity. An opportunity to ensure that gender equality is enshrined, once and for all, in the new constitutional and legal frameworks of these new democracies, including family law," the PACE President said today, addressing a conference in Rome on women as agents of change on the southern shore of the Mediterranean.