06/09/2010 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
In adopting a report on child abuse in institutions, PACE's Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee today called for “more far-reaching measures in the future when it comes to according full justice to victims of past offences”. The Committee believes that “more committed action will be required” when it comes to reinforcing legislation on child abuse and applying it to various institutional contexts.
06/09/2010 | Election observation
A PACE delegation has observed the constitutional referendum in Moldova on 5 September. It was the only European parliamentary organisation to observe this referendum. The delegation considered that the voting day was calm and orderly. The citizens who participated in the referendum could in general make their choice freely. However, this delegation regrets the low turnout.
03/09/2010 | President
PACE President Mevlüt Çavusoglu has praised Sweden for its “active role” in both the Council of Europe and the European Union, and urged it to continue supporting the reform processes within both organisations, including EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. At meetings today in Stockholm, Swedish EU Affairs Minister Birgitta Ohlson and the State Secretary to the Prime Minister Gustaf Lind discussed current priorities of the Council of Europe with the President, and reiterated Sweden’s firm support for Turkish accession to the EU.
03/09/2010 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Meeting in Paris on 6 September, PACE Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee is to approve three reports: one by Marlene Rupprecht (Germany, SOC) on the protection of children and teenagers from abuse in institutions, a second by Laurent Béteille (France, EPP/CD) on the prevention of on-line gambling addiction, and a third by Denis Jacquat (France, EPP/CD) on capitalising on older people’s working potential.
02/09/2010 | Political Affairs and Democracy
A hearing on “Peace-building in the countries of the former Yugoslavia” will be the highlight of a two-day meeting of PACE's Political Affairs Committee in Belgrade on 6-7 September 2010. Topics at the hearing, on Monday afternoon, include the possibility of a trans-national truth commission, justice for war crimes, and EU integration as a catalyst for dialogue. Earlier on Monday, the committee will hold an exchange of views with the Serbian authorities.
02/09/2010 | President
At a joint meeting of the PACE Presidential Committee, led by its President Mevlüt Cavusoglu, and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament in Brussels today, discussions focused on the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights and in particular the right of...
01/09/2010 | President
At the end of his official visit to Romania, PACE President Mevlüt Çavusoglu expressed his appreciation to the country for the successful dealing with minority issues and efforts aiming at increasing the involvement of minorities in the political, economic and social life of the country. He recalled that PACE had recently urged all member states to improve the situation and integration of Roma, protect them from discrimination, enhance their participation and representation. He said he regretted that some European countries had chosen to deal with this problem in a way which is stigmatising this vulnerable minority and leading to an increase of xenophobic and racist feelings.
31/08/2010 | President
Mevlüt Çavusoglu today sent a letter to John Prescott, Chairman of the United Kingdom delegation to the Assembly, conveying the following message: “I was very saddened by the news of the death of Lord McIntosh, whom I knew very well. His friendly and honest character and genuine interest in European affairs made him an outstanding member of our Assembly..."
31/08/2010 | Election observation
A 15-member PACE delegation, led by Egidijius Vareikis (Lithuania, EPP/CD), will be in Moldova from 3 to 6 September to observe the referendum on the choice of the presidential election procedure. It is the only European parliamentary organisation which will be present in the country to carry out this observation. The electorate will be asked to vote on the proposed amendment to Article 78 of the Constitution and the introduction of the direct election of the President of the Republic.
25/08/2010 | President
PACE President, Mevlüt Çavusoglu, is making an official visit to Romania (29 August-1 September). During his visit, he is due to meet in Bucharest the President of the Republic Traian Basescu, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Roberta Alma Anastase, the President of the Senate Mircea Geoana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Baconschi and the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel of All Romanians. He already met representatives of local authorities in Tulcea.
23/08/2010 | Prizes
PACE President Mevlüt Çavusoglu has praised the “spirit of openness” shown by the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv during a ceremony to award the 2010 Europe Prize to the city. Presenting the prize to Kharkiv’s Mayor today at the head of a PACE delegation, the President said the judges were impressed by the number and depth of friendly ties the city had built up – including 17 twinnings with towns across the world – enabling large sections of the population to enjoy enriching international experiences. It is the first time a Ukrainian town has won the 55-year-old prize.
20/08/2010 | President
“Recent developments in several European countries, most recently evictions of Roma camps in France and expulsions of Roma from France and Germany, are certainly not the right measures to improve the situation of this vulnerable minority. On the contrary, they are likely to lead to an increase in racist and xenophobic feelings in Europe,” PACE President, Mevlüt Çavusoglu, today declared.