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Rules of Procedure of the Assembly (December 2025)

(Resolution 1202 (1999) adopted on 4 November 1999) with subsequent modifications of the Rules of Procedure*

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Additional provisions relating to Assembly debates

(adopted by the Bureau of the Assembly on 25 March 2002 and 17 December 2007)

v.Order No. 316

(adopted on 23 January 1971, Doc. 2858) on addresses by guest speakers at plenary sittings of the Assembly

The Assembly,
1. Considering that the time available for debates in plenary sitting is strictly limited and that the number of addresses by guest speakers at such sittings has increased considerably;
2. Considering also that its debates must be conducted on the basis of the best available information, and that such information can be provided by representatives of national governments and international organisations;
3. Considering that it must preserve its function as an international parliamentary forum,
4. Instructs the Bureau, in discharging its duties under Rule 16 (now Rule 27) of the Rules of Procedure in matters relating to the preparation of the agenda (and the order of business) for Assembly sessions, to observe the following principles:
a. Under Rule 50.1 (now Rule 58.1.) of the Rules of Procedure, any member of the government of a member state has the right of access to the Assembly and the right to speak; this also applies to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe;
b. Without prejudice to Order No. 299 (1970) on the participation of parliamentarians from non-member countries in debates on development co-operation, exchanges of views during sessions with delegations from parliamentary and inter-parliamentary assemblies of non-member states must remain restricted to one a year, the position of parliamentary observers being governed as hitherto by Rule 55 (now Rule 64) of the Rules of Procedure;
c. The proper place for meetings with officials and experts is in the committees, which organise for that purpose hearings, symposia and round tables, the results of which are stated in the committees’ reports to the Assembly;
d. If, nonetheless, as an exception, the Bureau decides to invite someone who is neither a Minister nor a member of parliament to address the Assembly, such an invitation must be approved by the Standing Committee; it shall be strictly personal and the guest speaker must be informed of the nature and the desired length of his address.