10.04.06 (9.30 a.m.)

WELCOME BY MR VAN DER LINDEN,
PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
TO MR THOMAS HAMMARBERG,
COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

(Assembly Chamber, Monday 10 April 2006, 3 p.m.)

Commissioner Hammarberg,

It is a pleasure and an honour to welcome you today.

This will be your first statement to the Assembly since your election last October.

The Assembly was not faced with an easy choice, but I am sure that it will prove to have been a wise one.

We hope – indeed, we fully expect – that you will be able to match the very high standards set by your esteemed predecessor, Mr Gil-Robles.

Before you begin, therefore, I can willingly assure you of the full support, encouragement and cooperation of the Assembly.

We all share the same principles and goals.

I am sure that there will be many issues on which we will be able to work together to promote human rights in Europe.

All of us now very much look forward to hearing more about how you intend to fulfil you mandate.

Commissioner, you have the floor.