WELCOME BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU,

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE,

TO MR THORBJØRN JAGLAND,

SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

(Monday 11 April 2011, 15H00)

Dear Secretary General,

First of all, let me thank you for coming to address this Assembly Chamber to keep us up-to-date with the reform process of the Council of Europe. We highly appreciate your availability for dialogue with the Assembly at every stage of the reform. In fact, this enhanced dialogue between all the principal organs of the Organisation should in itself be one of the main features of its reform. The scope of the challenges we have to face is such that everybody, individually and institutionally, should give their best and this can only happen through constant exchanges of views and ideas.

As you are well aware, the Parliamentary Assembly is advancing with its own reform process. By the end of this week we hope to complete the broad consultation process that we launched with national delegations, political groups and Assembly committees. This will allow the Assembly to adopt appropriate decisions at its next part-session.

Dear Secretary General, revitalising the Council of Europe is our common concern and our common priority. You can be assured of the Assembly’s support in your efforts. We now look forward to hearing from you. You have the floor.