Communication | Doc. 13816 | 22 June 2015

Activities of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe between the Second part and the Third part of the 2015 Ordinary session

1. Visits and meetings

1.1. Activities of the President between 16 April and 18 May 2015

1.1.1. Participation in the Lennart Meri Conference and bilateral meetings in Estonia (25-26 April 2015)

1. On 25 April 2015, I took part in the 2015 Lennart Meri Conference, in particular, as a keynote speaker in one of the panel discussion sessions entitled “Thinking the unthinkable: what is next in store for us?”.

2. In my speech, I highlighted the worrying rise in hatred, xenophobia and intolerance in Council of Europe member States. Moreover, I called on all democratic forces, including representatives of civil society and religious leaders, to strengthen efforts to foster mutual respect between cultures and communities, focusing on what unites us, not what divides us.

3. Moreover, during the conference, I could meet a number of international officials, including Mr Lamberto Zanier, Secretary General of the OSCE, and Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of NATO.

4. Furthermore, I held a series of bilateral meetings with Estonia’s senior officials, including the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of the Riigikogu, and representatives of different parliamentary groups. I also held an exchange of views with members of the Women’s Support and Information Centre and with the Executive Director of the Estonian Human Rights Centre.

5. During my discussions with Estonian authorities, I praised Estonia as a strong and stable European partner, and expressed full confidence in the country’s continued positive commitment to Council of Europe values during the approaching Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

6. Among subjects raised during official meetings, I touched upon the issue of minority rights, the need for European solidarity in protecting refugees, and the situation in Ukraine. Moreover, I encouraged the Estonian Parliament to ratify the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) as soon as possible.

1.1.2. Official visit to Latvia (27-28 April 2015)

7. At the invitation of the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament, I paid an official visit to Latvia on 26-28 April 2015. At the end of my visit, I congratulated the Latvian authorities on the progress achieved since the restoration of independence, stressing the considerable efforts made by the country to fulfill its Council of Europe commitments and obligations.

8. During my meetings with parliamentarians, I welcomed the follow-up given to judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, in particular, within the framework of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Saeima.

9. Turning to the current Latvian Chairmanship of the Council of the European Union, I expressed full support for the priorities set at the beginning of the Presidency and congratulated the authorities on their prompt and firm reaction in responding to recent terrorist attacks. Referring to the tragedies in the Mediterranean, I encouraged a more ambitious agenda at the European Union level and called for more solidarity on behalf of all European governments and societies.

10. As far as domestic reforms are concerned, I encouraged the Latvian authorities to contribute to the further integration of national minorities into political life and to resolutely fight against intolerance and hate speech. In particular, I commended the recent simplification of the procedure for the naturalisation of so-called ’non-citizens’ and their children. However, some issues concerning the involvement of these residents of Latvia in political life remain open and, in this context, I expressed the view that Latvian officials and members of the Russian minority should co-operate more actively in order to discuss the question of granting ’non-citizens’ the right to vote in local elections.

11. Finally, I congratulated Latvian political leaders, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for having ratified 96 Council of Europe conventions and encouraged the authorities to continue this positive dynamic. In particular, I underlined the need for Latvia to sign and ratify the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention).

1.1.3. Official visit to Georgia (6-8 May 2015)

12. At the invitation of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, I paid an official visit to Georgia, on 6-8 May 2014. At the end my visit, I congratulated the Georgian authorities for the substantial progress the country achieved on the path of democratic reforms.

13. In my discussions I strongly encouraged Georgian leaders to continue on the positive path of reforms and to intensify efforts, in particular, on the constitutional and electoral reform fronts. Moreover, I highlighted the need to complete the fundamental reforms of the judiciary, prosecutor’s office and law enforcement system. In this context, I assured the Georgian authorities of the Council of Europe’s support.

14. At the same time, I stressed that the biggest responsibility in the process of reforms was in the hands of national political leaders and especially parliamentarians. All political forces seem to agree that the above-mentioned reforms are necessary and that they must be conducted efficiently and swiftly. But there should also be mutual co-operation and constructive dialogue between the opposition and the majority.

15. Turning to the Council of Europe’s general priorities, I called on Georgian decision-makers to resolutely combat all forms of hatred and intolerance, including homophobic and xenophobic violence and statements, stressing the responsibility of politicians to contribute to a peaceful climate of living-together.

16. Regarding South Ossetia, Georgia, and Abkhazia, Georgia, I reiterated the Assembly’s support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and raised concerns over the humanitarian situation in these areas. My visit to the Administrative Boundary Line was particularly significant in this respect. In this context, I stressed that the situation of IDPs was of a particular concern. Georgian authorities have made tremendous efforts to guarantee a decent life to these people, but temporary measures are not the solution. I hope that constructive discussions on IDPs could be resumed in the framework of the Geneva talks.

17. Finally, I would like to stress that in all my discussions, I was particularly impressed by the extremely high degree of openness and readiness to co-operate with international partners demonstrated by the authorities.

1.1.4. Ceremony in commemoration the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War (Strasbourg, 9 May 2015)

18. Speaking at the ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, I paid tribute to all victims and heroes of the Second World War and in particular, the people of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and the Balkan countries who paid an especially heavy toll for our common peaceful future.

19. Focusing on our responsibility to prevent the repetition of such atrocities, I stressed that democracy, tolerance and living together were our best antidotes against war and called on all democratic political forces to transcend their differences and, together with civil society, intellectuals and religious leaders, oppose and denounce extremism, fundamentalism and xenophobia – the seeds of totalitarianism.

1.1.5. Other activities

20. On 14 May 2015, I participated in the 2015 International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen Ceremony. In the margins of the ceremony, I held brief exchanges of views with Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, Mr Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Mr Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, and also Mr Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

1.2. Activities of the President between 19 May and 19 June 2015

1.2.1. 125th Session of the Committee of Ministers (Brussels, 19 May 2015)

21. Addressing the 125th Session of the Committee of Ministers in Brussels, I highlighted the main challenges the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly are currently facing, in particular, the conflict in Ukraine, the migration drama, the increase of violations of human rights in numerous countries as well as the increase of hate speech and intolerance.

22. In the margins of the plenary sitting, I met a number of Ministers and senior diplomatic officials from our member States. I would like to highlight in particular my bilateral meeting with Mr Bård Glad Pedersen, State Secretary, Norway, as well as a brief exchange with Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

1.2.2. Assembly meetings in Sarajevo (20-22 May 2015)

23. On 20-22 May 2015, I participated in the meetings of the Presidential Committee, Bureau and Standing Committee of the Assembly held in Sarajevo, within the framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. In particular, this was an opportunity to hold a first exchange of views with the authorities about the priorities and activities of the Chairmanship and the ways in which the Assembly could provide its support for their implementation.

24. In this context, I greatly appreciated the possibility to have meetings with Mr Šefik Džaferović Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Bariša Čolak, Speaker of the House of Peoples, as well as with Mr Igor Crnadak, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers.

25. Moreover, I met a number of representatives of the international community in Sarajevo in order to discuss how the activities of the Council of Europe and its Assembly could be better co-ordinated with those of other international partners in supporting domestic reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1.2.3. Participation in events related to the fight against hatred and intolerance (Strasbourg, 28-29 May 2015)

26. On 28-29 May 2015, I participated in the introductory session of the European Symposium “No hate Web, No Hate Speech” co-organised by the Conference of the INGOs of the Council of Europe and the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA). Moreover, I addressed the evaluation and follow-up conference of the No Hate Speech Movement “The end of the beginning?” Furthermore, I visited the “Lycée Jean Rostand” and delivered a lecture to the students on the Council of Europe’s activities to fight intolerance and hate.

27. In these different events, I highlighted the worrying rise in hatred and intolerance in Europe and the need for all democratic forces to strengthen their efforts to foster mutual respect and understanding between cultures and people. I stressed, in particular, the important role the new generation can play as agents of development and change.

1.2.4. Participation in the meetings of Assembly Committees (Paris, 1-2 June 2015)

28. On 1 June 2015, I participated in the meeting of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination. In the exchange of views with the committee, I welcomed the recently created No Hate Parliamentary Alliance and emphasised the need for a larger platform promoting tolerance and diversity. I also encouraged the members of the committee to visit schools and universities in order to speak to young people about the importance of living together. Finally, I congratulated the committee on the vital work done in promoting the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and in effectively protecting LGBT rights.

29. On 2 June 2015, I attended the meeting of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media. I reported to the committee on my activities relating to media freedom and integrity in sports. I praised the dynamism of the committee and congratulated its members on their significant input in setting up the internet platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. Furthermore, I welcomed the committee’s proposal to re-launch the idea of creating an interreligious platform.

1.2.5. Working visit to Rome (3-4 June 2015)

30. At the invitation of Ms Laura Boldrini, Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, I participated, on 4 June 2015, in the opening session of the conference on “National and International Experiences in Codes of Conduct for Parliamentarians”.

31. In particular, I highlighted the contribution of the Council of Europe and of our Assembly to the fight against corruption. Moreover, I stressed the primary role of parliamentarians in promoting transparency and honesty in public life and called on politicians to act as role models and to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards corrupt practices.

32. In the margins of this conference, I held a series of bilateral meetings with Italian senior officials, including, with Ms Maria Elena Boschi, Minister of Constitutional Reforms and Relations with the Parliament as well as the Ms Laura Boldrini, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. I have also had the honour of being received by Mr Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic. Furthermore, participated in the meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy.

33. During my discussions with Italian authorities I praised Italy for the very ambitious set of reforms recently launched and their firm commitment to eradicating corruption in public life.

1.2.6. Visit to UN institutions in Geneva (8-10 June 2015)

34. During this visit, I met a number of UN High Officials, in particular, Mr Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs Flavia Pansieri, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Laura Thompson, Deputy Director General of the International Organisation for Migration, as well as Mr François Crépeau, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants. Moreover, I met senior representatives of the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, the Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the Director for Member Parliaments and External Relations of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Furthermore, I held an exchange of views with the representatives of leading human rights NGOs accredited at the UN institutions in Geneva as well as members of the diplomatic community.

35. My discussions focused on three major topics: human rights aspects of migration and the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, human rights challenges in Council of Europe member States, as well as the situation in Ukraine.

36. Speaking about the migration challenge, I agreed with my interlocutors that politicians must break the negative stereotypes about migration, engage in a deep and substantive debate about the challenges and opportunities it represents, as well as develop a positive political discourse that values the benefits of migration. In particular, I stressed the need to design policies that help migrants integrate into our societies and promote social cohesion. This is all the more important today, when populist and xenophobic rhetoric is on the rise and all democratic political forces must speak out against manifestations of hate and intolerance and support the values that underpin democratic societies: human rights, respect for diversity, tolerance and living together. In this context, I promoted, with my UN interlocutors, the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance as an appropriate tool to combat hate and intolerance.

37. Turning to the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, I called on the international community to show greater solidarity and share the responsibility. This is not only a political necessity and a legal duty under international law, but also our duty as human beings vis à vis those who are most vulnerable as a result of fleeing war, conflict and other forms of persecution.

38. As far as human rights challenges are concerned, I deplored the shrinking of space for fundamental rights and freedoms that can be seen in a number of Council of Europe member States, as well as globally. While stressing complementarity between the UN and the Council of Europe in defending the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as the three pillars of strong, stable, inclusive and sustainable societies, I also welcomed the forthcoming visit to Strasbourg of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, which will be an opportunity to explore avenues for co-operation between the two international organisations, in particular as regards the implementation of the future Sustainable Development Goals.

39. Turning to standard-setting, I highlighted the contribution that Council of Europe conventions can make to the development of international human rights standards at the global level citing the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women and domestic violence as an example of a Council of Europe legal instrument open for accession by non-member States. I called on my UN interlocutors to work together towards ensuring that the standards established by this legal instrument are not watered down in the development of legal standards at global level.

40. Finally, turning to the situation in Ukraine, I welcomed the close co-operation between the Council of Europe and the UN institutions in addressing the human rights and humanitarian challenges of the conflict. Calling on all sides to stop violence and abide by what has been agreed in Minsk, I stressed the need to ensure a prompt and effective investigation into all human rights violations.

1.2.7. Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau on large scale arrival of refugees to Turkey (Istanbul and Gaziantep, 14-16 June 2015)

41. On 14-16 June 2015, I led the Assembly’s Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau on large scale arrival of refugees to Turkey during its visit to Istanbul and Gaziantep. This Ad Hoc Committee brought together 25 Assembly members from 20 national delegations with a view to visit the “container cities” and tented camps near Gaziantep and raise awareness of the parliamentarians about the situation of refugees from Syria and Iraq in Turkey.

42. At the end of the visit I praised the outstanding efforts of the Turkish authorities to provide safe haven to two million refugees from Syria and Iraq. As more solidarity and responsibility sharing is needed to address this challenge, I urged the members of the Ad Hoc Committee to return to their home parliaments to raise awareness of this situation ahead of World Refugee Day (20 June).

43. I also stressed that the European Union and individual European countries must now offer much greater financial support to Turkey to continue this great effort. Helping Turkey to provide a meaningful life and future to these people, so that one day they may return to their homes, also reduces the risk of terrorism or social problems and overspill into other parts of Europe.

44. Furthermore, I suggested that the Council of Europe Development Bank could – on request – provide significant funding to help Turkey and its local authorities.

1.2.8. Other activities

Meetings in Strasbourg

45. On 8 June 2015, I met Monseigneur Paul Gallagher, Holy See’s Secretary for relations with States. Our discussion focused on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue and the Council of Europe’s activities in this field, in particular in view of the forthcoming 2015 Exchange on the Religious Dimension of Intercultural Dialogue – Building Inclusive Societies Together, which will be held in Sarajevo, on 8-9 September 2015.

46. On the same day, I met Ambassador Alexander Alekseev, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe, to discuss, notably, the implications of the recently published “stop list” of persons for whom access to the Russian Federation has been forbidden and which includes among others two members of the Parliamentary Assembly – Mr Karl-Georg Wellmann, from Germany, and Mr Robert Walter, from the UK. Ambassador Alekseev informed me that this decision would have no practical implications for the work of the members of the Parliamentary Assembly because our members targeted by the “stop list” would continue to enjoy access to the territory of the Russian Federation for the purposes of participating in Assembly activities. I took note of this explanation and informed the Assembly members concerned accordingly.

Luxembourg

47. On 5 June 2015, I met Mr Mikhail Khodorkovsky, leader of the Open Russia movement.

48. On 17 June 2015, I met Ms Katalin Dusaucy-Rapp, First Secretary of the Embassy of Hungary to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Zurich

49. On 12 June 2015, I met Mr Didier Burkhalter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, in the margins of a seminar organised by Liberal International. In particular, I congratulated Mr Burkhalter and the Swiss authorities for their support to human rights defenders and welcomed the fact that Mr Emin Huseynov, Azerbaijani human rights defender and Council of Europe partner, had finally been able to leave Azerbaijan after a 10-month stay at the Swiss Embassy.

Details of my activities and meetings are to be found in the Appendices to this statement.

2. Press releases

1. Boat tragedy South of Lampedusa: President deeply shocked (19 April 2015)

2. Anne Brasseur: the situation in Ukraine and the migration tragedy, our two main challenges (20 April 2015)

3. 25th anniversary of the North-South Centre: a unique tool for the promotion of our values beyond Europe (23 April 2015)

4. CIA secret prison: PACE President welcomes admission by former Romanian President (24 April 2015)

5. All democratic forces need to join hands in combating hatred and intolerance (26 April 2015)

6. President congratulates Latvian authorities on progress achieved (28 April 2015)

7. International Press Freedom Day: 2014 – a particularly hard year (30 April 2015)

8. The European flag embodies the will of a Europe united around common values (5 May 2015)

9. PACE President congratulates Georgian authorities for the progress achieved (9 May 2015)

10. Anne Brasseur recalls WWII sacrifices, hails democracy as antidote to war (9 May 2015)

11. ’Joining in one large movement to say no to intolerance’ (19 May 2015)

12. PACE will support the priorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina (22 May 2015)

13. President concerned by Russia’s new law on ’undesirable’ NGOs (24 May 2015)

14. Anne Brasseur: ’To be credible, FIFA must lance the boil and overhaul its governance’ (28 May 2015)

15. Anne Brasseur condemns attack on Human Rights Prize winner (3 June 2015)

16. ’United, we can fight corruption’, says Anne Brasseur (4 June 2015)

17. Anne Brasseur calls for calm following Turkish electoral rally explosions (6 June 2015)

18. PACE President calls for political discourse that values benefits of migration (11 June 2015)

19. "Turkey’s example of dealing with Syrian refugees ’puts rest of Europe to shame’" (16 June 2015)

3. Speeches

• Opening speech of the 2nd part of the 2015 Ordinary session (20 April 2015)
• Launch of the Parliamentary Campaign to End Immigration Detention of Children (20 April 2015)
• Opening speech at the award ceremony of the Museum prize (21 April 2015)
• Lecture in the framework of the FEC Conferences on the theme “Religions: tomorrow, what common mission for Europe? Point of view of a woman politician” (22 April 2015)
• Participation in the Panel discussion “Thinking the Unthinkable: What’s next in store for us?” within the framework of the 2015 Lennart Meri Conference – “The Limits of Order” (Tallinn, Estonia, 25 April 2015)
• Address to the Youth parliament (Riga, 27 April 2015)
• Lecture at the Riga Graduate School of Law (Riga, 27 April 2015)
• Exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers (Strasbourg, 29 April 2015)
• Presentation at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (Georgia, 7 May 2015)
• Address to the Parliament in Georgia (Kutaisi, 8 May 2015)
• Speech at the Commemoration ceremony of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe (Strasbourg, 9 May 2015)
• Speech on the occasion of the 125th Session of the Committee of Ministers (Brussels, 19 May 2015)
• Introductory remarks, meeting of the Assembly’s Standing Committee (Sarajevo, 22 May 2015)
• Introductory conference of the European Symposium “Challenges of combating hate speech” “No Hate Web, No Hate Speech” (Strasbourg, 28 May 2015)
• Evaluation and follow-up conference – No Hate Speech Movement “The end of the beginning?” (Strasbourg, 29 May 2015)
• Lecture on Democracy and tolerance stronger than hate, at the “Lycée Jean Rostand” (Strasbourg, 29 May 2015)
• Opening statement at the Conference “National and International Experiences in codes of conduct for parliamentarians” (Rome, 4 June 2015)

Appendix 1 – Activities between 16 April and 18 May 2015

Bilateral meetings (in chronological order)

1. Meetings during the Second part of the 2015 Ordinary Session of Parliamentary Assembly (20-24 April 2014)

• Mr Raffaele Cantone, President, Anti-corruption Authority, Italy
• Sir Graham Watson, President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
• Mr Mikhail Kasyanov, former Prime Minister of Russia, Co-President of the RPR-Parnas Party in Russia
• Mr Sergei Guriev, economist, Russia
• Their Majesties The King and The Queen of the Belgians
• Ms Meltem Avcil, Turkey
• Mr Samer Haddadin, Chief of Mission, UNHCR, and Mr Othman Belbeisi, Chief of Mission, IOM Libya
• Dr Franz Josef Jung, Vice-President of the CDU/CSU Group, Bundestag, former Minister of Defence
• Mr Didier Reynders, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium
• Ms Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, Malta
• Mr Nils Muiznieks, Commissioner for Human Rights
• Representatives of the Assembly of People’s Representatives of Tunisia
• Mr Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee (Phone call)
• Mr Patrick Joseph Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees (Phone call)

Parliamentary Assembly members

• Mr João Bosco Mota Amaral, President, delegation of Portugal
• Mr Volodymyr Ariev, President, delegation of Ukraine
• Mr Andrej Hunko, member of the delegation of Germany
• Mr Aleksandr Nikoloski, President, delegation of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
• Mme Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, President, delegation of Latvia
• Mr Mohamed Yatim, President, delegation of Morocco
• Ms Aleksandra Djurovic, President, delegation of Serbia
• Ms Hermine Nagdalyan, President, delegation of Armenia
• Members of the delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Mr Bob Walter, Chairperson, delegation of the United Kingdom
• Mr Zsolt Nemeth, President, delegation of Hungary
• Mr Reha Denemeç, President, delegation of Turkey
• Mr Oleksii Honcharenko, member of the delegation of Ukraine
• Mr Michele Nicoletti, President, delegation of Italy
• Mr Joseph Moustaki, Secretary of the delegation of Israel
• Mr Samad Seyidov, President, delegation of Azerbaijan
• Ms Kristyna Zelienkova, rapporteur on the political consequences of the crisis in Ukraine

2. Participation in the Lennart Meri Conference and bilateral meetings in Estonia (24-26 April 2015)

• Mr Andres Herkel, Chairman of the Estonian Free Party
• Representatives of Women’s Support and Information Centre
• Mr Eiki Nestor, President of the Riigikogu
• Ms Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
• Mr Mart Nutt, Member of the Institute of Human Rights
• Mr Taavi Rôivas, Prime Minister of Estonia
• Mr Kari Käsper, Director General of the Human Rights Centre
• Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, Secretary General of the OSCE
• Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of NATO

3. Official visit to Latvia (27-28 April 2015)

• Ms Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima
• Ms Lolita Čigāne, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima
• Ms Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima
• Mr Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
• Mr Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister of the Interior of Latvia
• Ms Mārīte Seile, Minister of Education and Science of Latvia
• Representatives of the parliamentary groups:

  • Mr Edvards Smiltēns, Deputy Chairperson of Unity parliamentary group,
  • Mr Armands Krauze, Member of Union of Greens and Farmers parliamentary group,
  • Mr Edvīns Šnore, member of National Alliance „All For Latvia!” – „For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK” parliamentary group
  • Mr Igors Pimenovs, member of Concord parliamentary group,
  • Ms Nellija Kleinberga, Deputy Chairperson of Latvian Regional Alliance parliamentary group,
  • Mr Gunārs Kūtris, Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary group “For Latvia from the Heart”

• Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office of Latvia:

  • Ms Ineta Piļāne, Deputy Ombudsman, Head of Division of Civil and Political Rights,
  • Ms Kristīne Pakārkle, Deputy Head of Division of Civil and Political Rights,
  • Ms Ruta Siliņa, Head of Division of Communication and International Cooperation,
  • Mr Artūrs Kučs, Advisor to the Ombudsman

• Representatives of NGOs

4. Meetings in Strasbourg (29 April 2015)

• Mr Axel Fischer, President of the parliamentary delegation of Germany, with Ms Dorothée Belz and Dr Michael Spangenberger
• Mr Dominique Lamiot, President of the Governing Board of the Council of Europe Development Bank

5. Official visit to Georgia (6-8 May 2015)

• Mr David Usupashvili, Speaker of the Parliament, and representatives of the different political groups in the Georgian Parliament: Mr Tedo Japaridze, Ms Tinatin Bokuchava, Mr Irakli Chikovani, Mr Levan Berdzenishvili
• Mr Irakli GaribashviliI, Prime Minister of Georgia
• Mr Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia
• Members of the Georgian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly: Ms Guguli Magradze and Mr Zviad Kvatchantiradze
• Mr Vladimer Papava, Rector of the State University Ivane Javakhishvili of Tbilisi
• Mr Shota Rekhviashvili, Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accomodation and Refugees of Georgia
• Ms Keti Tsikhelashvili, First Deputy State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civil Equality
• Ms Nino Gvenetadze, Chairperson of the Supreme Court
• Representatives of the faction “Free Democrats”: Mr Irakli Chikovani, Mr Victor Dolidze, Mr David Onoprishvili, Mr Shalva Shavgulidze
• Ms Tamar Beruchashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
• Representatives of the faction “United National Movement”: Mr David Bakradze, Ms Chiora Taktakishvili, Mr Zurab Japaridze, Mr Akaki Minashvili
• Representatives of the Parliamentary Majority: Ms Ani Mirotadze, Mr Giorgi Volski, Mr David Saganelidze, Mr David Berdzenishvili, Mr Giga Bukia, Mr Giorgi Topadze, Mr Gocha Enukidze
• Representatives of the NGO’s
• Mr Ucha Nanuashvili, Public Defender of Georgia

6. Participation in the award ceremony of The International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen (Aachen, Germany, 14 May 2015)

• Dr h.c. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament
• Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission
• Mr Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine
• Mr Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine

7. Meetings with the diplomatic community

• Mr Luís Filipe Castro Mendes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the Council of Europe
• Mr Rolands Lappuķe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the Council of Europe
• Mr Julius Georg Luy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Germany to the Council of Europe
• Mr Jean-Marc Hoscheit, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Grand-Duché of Luxembourg to the United Nations and other International Organisations offices in Geneva (phone call)
• Ms Amy P. Westling, Consul General, USA
• Ms Eva Tomić, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the Council of Europe
• Mr Pekka Hyvönen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Finland to the Council of Europe
• Representatives of the diplomatic and international community in Georgia
• Ms Arlette Conzemius, Ambassador of Luxembourg in Turkey (Phone conversation)

Contacts with media between 16 April and 19 May 2015 (in chronological order)

MEDIA	TYPE	PAYS
Press conference
BelaPAN, European Radio for Belarus, Belteleradiocompagy, Belta	Radio	Belarus
Radio Free Europe Moscow Bureau	Radio	Russia
Izvestia and EFE correspondent for South Caucasus	Press agency	Georgia
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty	radio
Itogy Mag		Russia
Ria Novosti	Press agency	Russia
Le Quotidien	Written press	Luxembourg
Local journalists		France
Local journalists	TV Channel	Georgia
Georgian journal	Written press	Georgia

Appendix 2 – Activities between 19 May and 19 June 2015

Bilateral meetings (in chronological order)

1. 125th Session of the Committee of Ministers (Brussels, 19 May 2015)

• Mr Bård Glad Pedersen, State Secretary, Norway
• Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

2. Assembly meetings in Sarajevo (20-22 May 2015)

• Mr Šefik Džaferović Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Mr Bariša Čolak, Speaker of the House of Peoples
• Mr Igor Crnadak, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers

3. Conference «National and International Experiences in codes of conduct for parliamentarians» (Rome, 4 June 2015)

• Ms Maria Elena Boschi, Minister for constitutional reforms and relations with the Italian Parliament
• Ms Laura Boldrini, President, Chamber of Deputies of Italy
• Mr Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic

4. Meetings in Luxembourg (5 June 2015)

• Ms Vesna Arsic, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
• Mr Mikhail Khodorkovsky, leader of the Open Russia movement

5. Meetings in Strasbourg (8 June 2015)

• Mgr Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, Holly See

6. Visit to the United Nations institutions in Geneva (Geneva, 8-10 June 2015)

• Representatives of the international community
• NGOs

  • Human Rights House Foundation
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Association for the Prevention of Torture
  • Amnesty International

• Mrs Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations (HCHR)
• Ambassador Anda Filip, Director for Member Parliaments and External Relations, Interparliamentary Union (IPU)
• Ms Laura Thompson, Deputy Director General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
• Mr Roman Helfer, European delegate, National Coordinator for the No Hate Speech Movement in Switzerland, Swiss Council for Youth Associations (CSAJ/SAJV)
• Mr François Crépeau, Special Rapporteur on human rights of migrants
• Mrs Azita Berar Awad, Director of the Employment Policy Department, International Labour Office (ILO)
• Mrs Katja Hujo, Senior Research Coordinator, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
• Mr Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
• Mrs Christine Beerli, Vice-President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

7. Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau on large scale arrival of refugees to Turkey (Istanbul and Gaziantep, 14-16 June 2015)

• Mr Fuat Oktay, President of the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD)
• Ms Pascale Moreau, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Turkey
• Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
• Mr Hasan Kara and Mr Guncel Haberler, respectively Mayor and Governor of Kilis
• Ms Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Gaziantep

8. Meetings with the diplomatic community

• Mr Alexander Alekseev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation
• Ms Amy P. Westling, Consul General, United States of America
• Ms Katalin Dusaucy-Rapp, First Secretary of the Embassy of Hungary to Belgium and Luxembourg

Contacts with media (19 May-19 June 2015) (in chronological order)

MEDIA	TYPE	COUNTRY
Dnevni Avaz Nezavisne Novine Dnevni List Local media in Sarajevo	Written press Written press Written press TV, radio, written press	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Daily Sabah	Written press	Turkey
Council of Europe Journal	Web
Press Office, Italian Chamber of Deputies	Written press and web	Italy
Libre Belgique and Agence Europe	Newspaper / news agency	Belgium
The Parliament Magazine, Brussels EurActive online magazine	Written press, web Web	Belgium
Daily Sabah NTV and website Many local media in Gaziantep	Written press TV, web TV	Turkey