06/07/2009 President
“The founding mission of the Council of Europe, namely to build peace and create a common area governed by the rule of law, democracy and human rights, is far from complete,” declared PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig, speaking today at the opening of the 4th Summer University for Democracy. “The Council of Europe must project its human rights values beyond Europe’s borders, and a new phase has begun with the creation of a new ‘partner for democracy’ status with PACE, in order to strengthen co-operation with the countries of the southern Mediterranean, Central Asia and the Middle East,” added Mr de Puig. “We must also show our determination to continue building a more united Europe,” said the President, reminding participants that PACE had recently come out in favour of restoring the special guest status of the Belarusian Parliament.