Parliamentary questions | Doc. 11802 | 27 January 2009

Parliamentary questions to the Chairperson-in-office of the Committee of Ministers

Author(s): Mr Andres HERKEL, Estonia, EPP/CD ; Mr Wolfgang WODARG, Germany ; Ms Corien W.A. JONKER, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Mr Luca VOLONTÈ, Italy, EPP/CD

Question from Mr Herkel

Mr Herkel asks the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers whether democracy should be promoted in non member countries following the European Union example.

Question from Mr Wodarg

In its draft resolution Doc. 11722 the Assembly recalls the importance of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court, which would be indispensable for the ICC's independent operation. It is regrettable that Spain is among those countries who have not ratified the Agreement to date.

Mr Wodarg asks the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers under which conditions Spain will be prepared to ratify the Agreement in the foreseeable future.

Question from Mrs Jonker

The mandate of the OSCE Mission to Georgia has not been renewed. The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) is currently operating without a mandate since the Moscow agreement was made null and void and it is not certain what sort of replacement or alternative mandate might be agreed between the parties and with the United Nations.

Mrs Jonker asks the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, what steps are being taken by the Council of Europe to support efforts to negotiate a replacement or an alternative mandate for UNOMIG, and a possible renewed presence of the OSCE in Georgia. Furthermore, to what extent would the Council of Europe be prepared to support any new international presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Question from Mr Volontè

Mr Volonte' would like to know what concrete measures are going to be adopted in Spain by the Rodríguez Zapatero Government in order to increase religious freedom, which is an essential factor of social cohesion.