WELCOME BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU, PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF A GIFT FROM MONTENEGRO TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE.

(Strasbourg, Tuesday 22 June 2010, 13h00, Foyer CM)

Excellency,

Secretary General,

Let me just reiterate our thanks to the government of Montenegro for this gift, a visible, tangible reminder of the presence of your country in our Organisation and a contribution to the cultural wealth of this Palais de l’Europe.

This building hosts a forum for dialogue, its Chamber, but also a collection of art works representing member states and their artists. Art is a way of communicating, conveying messages and feelings, and all works of art let us look into the inner soul of the artist and his or her country.

An open and modern country, Montenegro is sparing no effort to adopt and support the values and principles that our Organisation promotes. It reached independence peacefully and is proceeding confidently on its path towards the heart of Europe.

This “Abstract Landscape” matches the real landscapes of towering mountains and dense, dark forests which gave Montenegro its name. We can read different meanings into an abstract image. Personally, I like to see in it a representation of different elements mingling together in harmony, like we try to combine our ideas at the Parliamentary Assembly.

Thank you.