A day of fruitful exchanges with EU interlocutors in Brussels for
@GPapandreou
, Rapporteur on “Supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans”. Rapporteur was glad to meet with Commissioner
@OliverVarhelyi
and discuss the importance of CoE-EU strategic partnership.
.
@JunckerEU
: The
@CoE
is the only platform where all European nations can come together and should remain so. EU accession to ECHR is not only a legal obligations but also very important for geopolitical reasons", today with PACE rapporteur Tiny Kox
@PACE_News
@CoEinBrussels
With
@MiroslavLajcak
, EUSR for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other WB regional issues, the Rapporteur
@GPapandreou
discussed the latest developments in the dialogue and how the CoE-EU strategic partnership is central to the European perspective of the region.
The Committee has just unanimously adopted a Recommendation on "The Reykjavik Summit of the Council of Europe: United around values in the face of extraordinary challenges", based on a report by
@Fiona_Kildare
. Congratulations to the Rapporteur!
.
@GPapandreou
: "We need to reclaim the public space which was taken over by social media, and to rethink new forms of democracy to tackle the climate crisis effectively"
@PACE_Political
hearing on "More participatory democracy to tackle climate change"
#ClimateEmergency
"At these critical times of global health crisis, the
#EU
should continue standing strong within&outside its borders. I welcome the decision to support neighbouring countries hosting
#Syrian
#refugees
. We may lose a lot, but we must never lose our
#humanity
"
@Dora_Bakoyannis
Wife of Vladimir Kara-Murza,
@ekaramurza
, and lawyer, Vadim Prokhorov, informed the Committee about repression and human rights violations in the Russian Federation.
The Assembly stands in solidarity with political prisoners, and calls for their immediate release.
The Assembly has spoken, outlining its proposals for the
@CoE
4th Summit and urging "unity around common values". 👏to
@Fiona_Kildare
, Rapporteur for the Committee, whose draft recommendation was adopted in plenary! More on the report, debate, & adoption:
In a productive meeting with Maciej Popowski, Acting Director-General of
@eu_near
,
@GPapandreou
stressed the importance of intensifying political dialogue between the EU and the
@CoE
on how to accelerate the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
Timely and interesting hearing on
@GPapandreou
report on Supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans. The rapporteur stated "It is time for the EU to accelerate the enlargement process; the Council of Europe can play an important role given its expertise and tools."
A new vision for European multilateral architecture is urgently needed.
@pace_political
adopted today a motion for a recommendation for a fourth high level Summit for a renewed, improved and reinforced Council of Europe
#CoE
#multilateralsim
#democracy
"Dialogue and cooperation with young people is the key for more safe, secure, developed and democratic societies." Interesting presentation by
@RogerPadreny
, deputy for Andorra and member of the
@oscepa
network of young parliamentarians.
"Europe's strategic interest is to help the South where 4 out of 5 migrants stay" says
@DrissElyazami
Chairperson of the Moroccan Human Rights Council, speaking in Dubrovnik today
@PACE_News
European leaders have gathered in Reykjavik for the
#CouncilOfEuropeSummit
.
The Assembly has called for Heads of State and Government to reaffirm their unity around common values and their unfaltering commitment to multilateralism based on international law.
Strengthening co-ordination and co-operation with the
@Europarl_EN
is key to
@PACE_News
playing a greater role in supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans. In this light, the Rapporteur
@GPapandreou
was very glad to meet with
@TPicula
, MEP from Croatia.
Merci à la ville de
@strasbourg
, ici la position de l'APCE
@PACE_News
en octobre 2019, concernant le soutien aux victimes du terrorisme
@MKaramanli72
rapporteur :
At around 5pm, the Assembly welcomes EU Justice Commissioner
@dreynders
, who'll address the parliamentarians and take questions, at an important moment for
@CoE
-EU relations.
At its first meeting of 2023, the Committee elected its bureau for the year. Congratulations to Chairperson Zsolt NÉMETH (🇭🇺, EC/DA) and Vice-Chairpersons
@kimmokiljunen
(🇫🇮, SOC),
@Zingeris
(🇱🇹, EPP/CD) and
@valentinam
(🇪🇸, EPP/CD). 👏
"10 years after the 2009
#lisbontreaty
, EU accession to
#ECHR
remains a Treaty obligation which needs to be implemented swifly" rapporteur Titus Corlățean at a hearing with CoE reps and
@eu_eeas
DSG
@CLefflerEU
Thank you SG
@MarijaPBuric
for your input to
@PACE_Political
, focused on PACE-CM Joint Procedure, progress of EU accession to
#ECHR
and ratification of Instanbul Convention. You'll be always welcome!
Congratulations to
@BogdanKlich
on the adoption of his resolution (unanimously as amended) and recommendation (unanimously) on Recent challenges to security in Europe: what role for the Council of Europe?
Very informative hearing on
#Brexit
#HumanRights
with the participation of
@NIHRC
and Daithí Ó Ceallaigh in the framework of the preparation of a report by
@gkatr
Today in Dubrovnik! Parliamentary Conference on "Building democratic security in the Mediterranean: common challenges, shared responsibility" organised by the Croatian Parliament with
@PACE_Political
@PACE_News
A l’occasion de la Journée européenne des victimes du terrorisme, la Présidente de l’APCE et la rapporteure
@MKaramanli72
ont lancé un appel pour que les victimes de terrorisme soient reconnues officiellement au sein d’un cadre international
On the agenda for next week's Committee mtg, among others:
🔹Hearing on a 4th Summit of CoE MSs
🔹Draft resolution on a European perspective for Western Balkans
🔹Role of CoE as a cornerstone of the Europ. political architecture
🔹Challenges to peace-making in Syria and Libya
Draft resolution on “The impact of
#Brexit
on human rights on the island of Ireland”, based on report by
@gkatr
, adopted by Committee. Brexit has “threatened the common human rights space previously shared by all people on the island”.
@PACE_News
plenary debate in October.
Role&mission of
@PACE_News
: main challenges for the future - Democracy hacked? how to respond? - Foreign funding of
#Islam
in Europe - Morocco's Partnership for Democracy - Activites of
@EBRD
..
Here's our September agenda:
Thank you Prof Nicos Alivizatos &
@VeniceComm
for your invaluable insight into the new realities of referendums in CoE member states,
@CherylGillan
preliminary draft report here:
With
@coe
Political Affairs President and members of the Venice Comission after presenting my draft report on updating the Venice Commission’s rules on referendums for our 47 member states
Faire face à la mondialisation du terrorisme & mieux soutenir les victimes: le cas français. merci à
@RenckiJ
du Fond des garantie et Mme Heisserer de la délégation interministérielle pour l’assistance aux victimes , Ministère de la Justice,
@MKaramanli72
rapporteure
Joint meeting of
@PACE_LegalHR
and
@PACE_Political
.
Ensuring accountability for the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine: the role of the Council of Europe.
"The rule of law is cemented through the achievement of justice" -
@PACE_President
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
#PACEspring2023
highlights:
➡️ Kara-Murza : hearing with his wife & lawyer
➡️ Participation of Belarusian democratic forces
➡️
#RoadtoReykjavik
🇪🇺
Full agenda :
Hearings open to the public : 👇
#Belarus
needs to resume without delay work on comprehensive electoral reforms, as part of the broader democratisation process & in coop. with international partners>
@RiaOomenRuijten
chairing a hearing with Belarusian House of Representatives & opposition/civil society forces
Minister of Justice
@pilar_llop
: “Democracy always prevails and is built day-by-day”
In her address:
- The role of solidarity in 🇪🇸 democracy
- Accession of EU to ECHR & Istanbul Convention
- Updating
@coe
framework to meet new challenges
- 🇪🇸 priorities for the EU presidency
Assessing the functioning of the partnership for democracy.
Resolution adopted:
Taking stock of the Assembly's relations with partners in Morocco 🇲🇦, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬, Jordan 🇯🇴, as well as the Palestinian National Council 🇵🇸.
#InternationalDayofDemocracy
Statement of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy:
🔹Redouble efforts to defend democracy
🔹Redress democratic backsliding by respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms
Full statement:
“It’s important to make the European promise more tangible and credible in the Western Balkans. It should make a difference in people’s everyday lives. CoE has a full toolbox to help,” says
@MiroslavLajcak
in today's committee hearing on
@GPapandreou
's report.
The Subcommittee on External Relations kicked off its series of meetings at
@UN
HQ in NY. Thanks to
@SpainUN
for hosting the first discussions, and to
@IcelandUN
and
@irishmissionun
for their valuable contributions on UN-CoE cooperation, implementation of SDGs, and much more.
European Commissioner
@OliverVarhelyi
tells Committee, via video message, that it is in the common interest of the EU and
@Coe
to speed up the enlargement process in the Western Balkans. Important to continue the fruitful collaboration to accelerate integration.
A warm welcome back to Greek Alternate Foreign Minister
@MVarvitsiotis
, who is addressing the PACE Standing Committee now and taking parliamentarians' questions. Watch LIVE here...
After an urgent debate, the
@CoE
Parliamentary Assembly urges Russia to release Ukrainian servicemen and ensure free passage in the Sea of
#Azov
and
#Kerch
Strait Watch the debate:
On
#HumanRightsDay
, top officials from the
@CoE
and the EU discuss how to deepen the relationship between the two organisations, in the light of their shared values. [A link to the full video-recording should be added soon.]
“In light of the Russian aggression’s impact on multilateralism in Europe, a Fourth Summit has become an absolute necessity”, said Rapporteur
@Fiona_Kildare
in presenting her outline report in today’s committee meeting. Active discussion among members followed.
"There is no bigger challenge to face today than global warming and threats to bio-diversity" says SC on External Relations on 'Developments in the Arctic region and opportunities for international co-operation', today in Rovaniemi
@SCPAR3
@SuomenEduskunta
@PACE_News
Interesting discussion on roles of CoE and other orgs in 🇪🇺 political architecture, w/ participation of Prof Dainius Žalimas, member of
@VeniceComm
.
@Andrikiene
presented a prel draft report, & emphasised potential for cooperation and synergies.
"The Libya-wide permanent ceasefire after long complex negotiations is a crucial step in the right direction toward the resumption of political negotiations & hopefully the end of the Libyan crisis" says
@pierofassino
Ancienne Rapporteure de l'APCE sur
@MKaramanli72
aujourd'hui à Vienne
#UNiteToCounterTerrorism
: «Notre devoir de mémoire à l’égard et « aux côtés » des victimes est guidé par le sentiment de devoir la justice aux nombreuses victimes ainsi qu'à leurs familles. »
"Foreign interference: a threat to democratic security"
Exchange with
@nicolasdepedro
, and presentation by
@EU_ScienceHub
of its joint publication with
@HybridCoE
- "Hybrid Threats: A Comprehensive Resilience Ecosystem"
Rapporteur:
@valentinam
In both Syria and Libya, the elements needed for a political solution are weak or inexistent, argued
@bernardoinchina
in today’s hearing. Role of 🇪🇺 states and prospects for stability at centre of discussion.
A PACE hearing jointly organised by the Equality Committee, the Political Affairs Committee and the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance highlighted the need for updating and relaunching the Charter of European Political Parties for a Non-Racist Society.
"Parliament should never delegate all of its power to government, not even during a
#pandemic
, it must continue to function one way or another"
Prof Iain Cameron,
@VeniceComm
speaking
@PACE_Political
"Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Cyprus problem, the Kurdish crisis, have intercrossed with new issues, as the war in Syria and Libya, thus creating an explosive mixture: what could and should Europe do to reverse these trends and contribute to stability?"
@GeorgeLoukaides
All political parties in
#Kosovo
must see the importance of genuine and inclusive consultations and constructive cooperation in view of the presidential elections next year. Nobody should risk another unnecessary constitutional crisis.
@GermanyCoE
@coe
@PACE_News
#pandemic
.
@Dora_Bakoyannis
on the cease-fire in
#Syria
agreed by US &
#Turkey
:"The agreement raises questions & how it will come about remains unclear. Our Assembly remains firm in its position for an immediate political solution, the safety of all people, peace & stability in the region"
Hearing on "Countering ill democracies in Europe", thanks to
@LarryDiamond
from
@HooverInst
@Stanford
:
"Deterioration of the rule of law, decay of traditional political parties and emergence of populist trends, some of the reasons for the recession of liberal democracies today"
Hearing on the report under preparation by
@DrAndreasNick
on Strengthening the role of the Council of Europe as a cornerstone of the European political architecture :
@coe
must be adamant in prioritising Democracy!
General Rapporteur on Democracy
@GPapandreou
to the Belarusian democratic forces &
@Tsihanouskaya
:
"Your struggle is one of courage &hope, a struggle that belongs to all of us in our shared quest for a world that is freer,more just, &truly democratic"
"i.a. it also recommended making party leaders/members criminally liable for hate speech & crime, after a factfinding visit by the rapporteur to
#Athens
meeting with the then Interior Minister Nikos Dendias”
Counteraction to manifestations of neo-Nazism:
@MiroslavLajcak
@GPapandreou
@socpace
@EUDELCoE
👏 to
@GPapandreou
: draft res & rec on “Supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans” unanimously adopted. "A European perspective for the WB is a geopolitical investment in peace, stability and democratic security" for all Europe.
@PAceNews
plenary debate in October
Further promoting the European integration of the Western Balkans.
Conference organised by the Parliamentary Assembly in co-operation with
@SobranieRSM
in Skopje. 🇲🇰
More details 👇
On the agenda, the adoption of the report by
@BogdanKlich
and a hearing with
@EU_Commission
on Supporting a European perspective for the Western Balkans
"NO democracy without
#Parliaments
:, they represent citizens, hold political executives to account for policy, and serve as a visible public forum to debate nationally important issues" Prof Meg Russell
@ConUnit_UCL
@CherylGillan
The world is confronted with epochal and global challenges: only stronger and more resilient democracies can tackle them and put the world on a new track.
👉Read the committee's declaration on the occasion of
#InternationalDayofDemocracy
An excellent exchange this morning with Parliamentary Assembly of
@coe
. There are many synergies between the work of
@EU_Commission
&
#CoE
, including fields like rule of law & human rights &
#childrights
.