29/02/2012 President
Strasbourg, 29.02.2012 – Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), has called for a “strong partnership” between the Council of Europe and the organs of the United Nations in dealing with crises, such as the current situation in Syria, during a meeting in New York with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
He also proposed increased co-operation between the two organisations, including greater coordination of their positions on international crises such as Syria, and consultations ahead of Assembly debates on such issues.
“The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe can contribute by mobilising European parliaments, and through them European governments, to support the UN’s efforts to resolve international crises,” the President said.
Mr Mignon also underlined the necessity for all states to fully respect the values which they signed up to on joining the Council of Europe when they are acting in the international arena – particularly in UN bodies.
For his part, the Secretary General of the United Nations accepted in principle an invitation to address the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg. He expressed his profound appreciation for the commitment of PACE to defending human rights, putting particular emphasis on its role in combating violence against women.