21/03/2025 European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
“Our unity and solidarity are the strongest defense against malign foreign and domestic forces intent on undermining democracy and peace”, today said the PACE President, Theodoros Rousopoulos, presenting the conclusions of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament.
“The Conference looks forward to supporting the work of the Council of Europe on the new Democratic Pact, an initiative which follows through the political commitments expressed by the Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik, at the 4th Council of Europe Summit”, he added.
“This is a matter for the whole of society and all of our citizens”, he added. We must find ways to reconnect to those citizens, especially to youth, and bring back the passion for democracy and peace in place of resignation and division. We must invest in civic education which reaches hearts and minds, throughout society and especially in schools and educational establishments. And parliamentarians have a special responsibility and a leading role to play”, Mr Rousopoulos stressed.
Speakers and presidents of parliament from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and many partner, observer and neighbouring countries, as well as the heads of several interparliamentary assemblies, gathered in Strasbourg on 20 and 21 March 2025 participated in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which is held every two years under the auspices of the Strasbourg-based Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). This year marked the 50th anniversary of the first conference.
