18.01.2010

WELCOME BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU,
PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY,
TO Mr THORBJØRN JAGLAND,
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

(Strasbourg, Monday 25 January 2010, 16H00, Hemicycle)

Dear Secretary General,

I am extremely pleased that one of my first tasks as a President is to welcome you for your first communication to the Parliamentary Assembly. This fresh start, for both of us, will hopefully be a good omen for our cooperation in the future. A future which will not be easy, but will be challenging and exciting.

The Council of Europe remains unique in terms of its geographical scope and in terms of ideas, standards and expertise. But our Organisation badly needs reforms, in order to face up the challenges of our globalised world. We need a clear political vision, a rational structure and sufficient means.

Secretary General, we know that you have been working very hard since you took office, in order to introduce reforms that should make the Council of Europe more visible, better centred on its added value and capable of making a significant impact on our societies. We also know that you have been touring the European capitals to collect ideas and get the necessary support for a change.

As you are aware, the Assembly has also been promoting a new political vision for the Council of Europe and has put forward ambitious ideas. We are therefore looking forward to your presentation now, which we hope will mark the start of a constructive dialogue. It is our common interest to make sure that the Council of Europe will continue to be well worth both the means and the dreams that Europeans have invested into it.