Since its foundation, the Council of Europe has been the leading intergovernmental organisation in Europe for promoting and safeguarding democracy, human rights and rule of law. Its member States have committed to achieving greater unity for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage. Whilst being the guardian of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, the Council of Europe is also a political community, as recalled in the Vienna Declaration in 1993.
On Europe Day on 9 May 2022, President Macron launched the idea of a European Political Community (EPC) to provide a pan-European platform for political debates, which may include a European political space as a first step towards EU membership.
The first meeting of the European Political Community on 6 October 2022 in Prague brought together the leaders of 44 European countries including 43 Council of Europe member States, reflecting a clear overlap in participants. Even the subject matters for discussion show some risk of overlapping, for instance democratic security in Europe.
The Council of Europe should take a proactive role when the European political architecture is discussed. It should also maintain its leading intergovernmental role in all matters relating to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
The Parliamentary Assembly should therefore: