25/04/2013 Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs
Strasbourg, 25.04.2013 – The report by Rudy Salles (France, EPP/CD) on PACE expenditure for 2014-2015, which was adopted today by the PACE Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs, states that the Assembly, in view of the determination of many member states to adopt a biennial zero nominal growth budget, will have to agree to reduce its expenditure for 2014 and 2015, in terms of both staffing and operational activities.
However, the committee considers that these difficulties should not serve as an excuse for imposing strategic choices that could undermine the Council of Europe’s statutory mission in the medium and long term.
The text adopted in committee also stresses that the PACE will, during the 2014-2015 financial year, focus on general policy measures, with stricter pre-selection of resolutions and recommendations reflecting the Assembly’s concerns, so as to ensure better follow-up to adopted texts in national parliaments. The other priorities include working methods and communication and media – with improved media coverage, a more interactive website and the utilisation of new communication channels. The report will be debated at the meeting of the Standing Committee in Yerevan on 31 May 2013.