29/03/2011 Political Affairs and Democracy
Following the request submitted by the Palestinian National Council for “Partner for democracy” status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), rapporteur on behalf of the the Political Affairs Committee, paid a fact-finding visit to the Palestinian Territories from 21 to 25 March 2011.
In Ramallah, he met with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Minister of Justice and other members of the cabinet. He also had talks with the Speaker of the Palestinian National Council and with representatives of political parties. Furthermore, he met with the Palestinian trade unions, women’s union, human rights and prisoners organisations and representatives of the Palestinian media. He also visited – amongst others – the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Audit and Control Bureau, the Anti-Corruption Mission and the Chief of the High Judicial Council.
At the end of the working visit, the rapporteur met with President Abbas and invited him to come to Strasbourg to inform the Assembly on his new proposals with regard to reconciliation with Hamas and the possibility of parliamentary and presidential elections later this year.
“Partner for democracy” status allows parliamentary delegations mainly from countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and central Asia to take part in the Assembly's activities in return for commitments to pursue the values upheld by the Council of Europe, hold free and fair elections and work towards abolishing the death penalty, among others.