29/09/2026 Session
In a context where crises are converging and international law is under sustained assault, “the Council of Europe must stand firm and must stand ready,” said Knut Abraham (Germany, EPP/CD) today, at the opening of a general policy debate on The Council of Europe: grounded in core values to meet the challenges ahead.
“Any reform must sharpen our capacity to act and focus on impact. The Council of Europe must have the political weight to ensure that its standards and recommendations are heard, respected and translated into action. This Assembly, a statutory organ, is the right place: helping to identify priorities, shaping reforms and turning our values into real protection,” he added. Referring to the three pillars of the Organisation, he stated that “human rights, democracy and the rule of law are more than a mandate. They are the pillars of European identity”.
The leaders of the five PACE political groups as well as the Chairpersons of the ten PACE committees also spoke during the debate.
No text is adopted during a general policy debate.
The Assembly will hold a plenary debate on this issue during its winter session (25–29 January 2027) and will adopt a text.