26.01.2010 - REVISED
Embargoed until delivery

WELCOME BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU,

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY,

TO MR FRANCO FRATTINI, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ITALY

(Strasbourg, Tuesday 26 January 2010, 15h00, Hemicycle)

Minister Frattini,

It is a great pleasure and honour for me to welcome you in this House. We very much appreciate your initiative to address our Assembly.

This is not your first visit to the Council of Europe: the last time you came here, in June 2006, it was as Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security.

At that time, an important report on illegal renditions was being debated and your presence underlined your support for the enquiry led by our member, Mr Marty, whose findings were alarming.

The Assembly promoted the idea that even in times of terrorism and increased threats to security, human rights must remain our point of reference. A few years later, we still stick to that idea, and we do not miss an opportunity to ask our partners to support our cause.

As a member of the European Commission, you proved to be a real friend of the Council of Europe and you recognised its leading role in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Today, you represent here a country with a long tradition of support of European integration. Italy is among the founding members of the Council of Europe and has always been at the forefront in promoting this Organisation’s values.

That is why we expect from you a significant message to motivate and inspire our work. Minister Frattini, you have the floor.