22/11/2013 Standing Committee
"We are currently suffering from a real lack of visibility and recognition for the thorough work that we do,” said the PACE President this morning, at the opening of the Standing Committee meeting in Vienna. “The fact is that our organisation plays a key role in the European architecture, helping member states to address various core issues facing our societies, such as internet governance, action against trafficking in human beings and discrimination, issues that are central to the priorities of the Austrian Presidency,” he added.
“I would like to congratulate Austria, which has this year assumed, not for the first time, the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and to wish Michael Spindelegger, Minister of Foreign Affairs and now Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, every success,” said Jean-Claude Mignon. “The Parliamentary Assembly shares and supports the priorities set by the Austrian Chairmanship. I am also very pleased that Austria is following in the wake of Andorra and Armenia, by choosing to focus on preserving and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” he concluded.