23/01/2008 Session
Strasbourg, 23.01.2008 - In adopting the report by Josette Durrieu (France, SOC) today, the Assembly reaffirmed its determination to strengthen co-operation with the countries, particularly , and , all three of whom are in favour of developing relations with and its institutions. The Assembly regards this co-operation as a decisive factor of stability in the Euro-Mediterranean region and a source of mutual enrichment.
According to the rapporteur, the PACE has always been committed to furthering democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights beyond the borders of its member states, and especially in the southern . Strengthening co-operation would enable the countries to rely on Council of Europe expertise, including that of the Venice Commission, in order to speed up the process of political reform and review the legislation on political pluralism and freedoms.
The Assembly proposes to associate the three countries’ parliamentary delegations more regularly with its work, dealing in particular with questions of inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue, terrorism and immigration.