ADDRESS BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU, PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 121st SESSION

OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

(ISTANBUL, WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2011)

Dear Chairperson,

Dear Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I should like to begin by congratulating the Turkish Chairmanship and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for the choice of subjects to be discussed at this meeting – reform of the Organisation, relations with the European Union, neighbourhood policy, frozen conflicts as well as ways of living together.

The Parliamentary Assembly has been active in all these areas. We have supported the reform launched by the Secretary General from the very beginning and carried out a large consultation on the reform of the Assembly, which will decided at our June plenary session.

The Assembly has made progress in the context of the negotiations regarding the European Union’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. As you know, the judges to the Human Rights Court are elected by the Assembly and we are now close to an agreement with the European Parliament concerning the election of judges subsequent to EU accession to the Convention.

Let me concentrate on two issues on our agenda which are close to my heart – the Council of Europe neighbourhood policy and the multi-culturalism of our societies.

Firstly, the Parliamentary Assembly has been pursuing a coherent strategy of bringing non-member states closer to the Council of Europe. We have established a new status, called “Partnership for Democracy”, for Parliaments of neighbouring non-member states, which enables them to enjoy most of the rights of full Assembly members.

Now when revolutionary changes are shaking the Arab world, we have instruments ready at hand. Our policy is quite simple – we offer partnership based on mutual respect and no double standards and expect from our partners the willingness to apply our principles and standards.

The concrete results of our efforts will materialise soon – we plan to grant partnership status to the Parliament of Morocco in June and to the Palestinian National Council in October. We already have a cooperation agreement with the Parliament of Kazakhstan, which is also considering becoming a “partner”. We are intensifying cooperation with Tunisia and we stand ready to observe the elections to the Constituent Assembly in July. At the invitation of the Parliament of Kirgizstan, I will visit this country at the end of June.

Secondly, the Assembly is stepping-up its reflexion on our response to global challenges which affect all European societies. I therefore welcome the “Living together” report which has the merit of presenting a comprehensive approach and concrete proposals. However, we must be frank – most of its content is not news to us. The challenge is to put it into practice.

I, personally, consider that a Council of Europe Summit is needed to get the necessary level of political commitment to implement the proposed measures. Such a Summit would mark the new start for a reformed Council of Europe with the European Union as member to the European Convention on Human Rights. It would also highlight the unique capacity of our Organisation to cover a united, but multi-polar Europe – comprising the European Union, but also non-European Union member states which have a wide experience to offer and share.

I wish to thank the Turkish Chairmanship, and in particular Foreign Minister Mr Ahmet Davutoğlu, for these successful 6 months, the positive results of which will be felt for many years.

To my friend, Foreign Minister Mr Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, I wish him every success in his work at the helm of the Europe of 47 member states and promise him not only the full support of the Assembly but my own personal support.

Thank you for your attention.