Doc. 10687

3 October 2005

Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee
(24 June – 3 October 2005)

Bureau of the Assembly

Rapporteur: Mr Konstantin Kosachev, Russian Federation, European Democrat Group

1.       INTRODUCTION

1.       The Bureau met on 24 June in Strasbourg, on 1 September in Monaco and on 3 October in Strasbourg. The Standing Committee met on 1 September in Monaco.

2.       FUNCTIONING OF THE ASSEMBLY

A.       PROGRESS REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF THE ASSEMBLY AND OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE (24 JUNE – 3 OCTOBER 2005)

2.       On 24 June, the Bureau appointed Mr Kosachev (Russian Federation, EDG) as rapporteur.

3.       On 3 October, the Bureau approved the Progress report covering the period from 24 June to 3 October 2005.

B.       FOLLOW-UP TO RECOMMENDATION 1712 (2005) ON THE “FOLLOW-UP TO THE THIRD SUMMIT”

4.       On 24 June, the Bureau:

i.       Group of wise persons on the effectiveness of the European Court of Human Rights: agreed that the President:

Ø will present candidates for the group of wise persons on the basis of the proposals of the political groups provided that these proposals are unanimously agreed by the political group leaders and that the persons proposed give their agreement;

Ø will contact the member states of the candidates in order to ask them to formally propose their candidatures;

Ø will consult in this respect the Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies before the first meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies in September;

Ø took note that the President asked the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to make a contribution to the work of the group of wise persons.

ii.       Forum on the Future of Democracy: took note that the Political Affairs Committee created an ad hoc sub-committee on this Forum with a view to participating actively in the preparation of the Forum.

iii.       Global implementation of the Action Plan of the Third Summit:

Ø agreed to propose to the Committee of Ministers to set up a joint working group within the framework of the Joint Committee;

Ø invited the committees to examine the decisions taken by the Heads of State and Government in their respective field of competence, to review their work programmes in order to bring them into line with the Summit's priorities and to propose concrete ways in which the Assembly can contribute to their implementation;

Ø took note that the President will send a letter to the Chairpersons of the national delegations to the Assembly asking them to initiate debates on the implementation of the Summit’s decisions in their parliaments.

5.       On 1 September, the Bureau:

Ø took note that the President sent a letter to the Chairpersons of the national delegations to the Assembly encouraging them to invite their Ministers for Foreign Affairs to their national parliaments to present the decisions of the Summit, as well as inform their parliaments on the follow-up they intend to give to the Summit;

Ø took note of the letter from the Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies inviting the Assembly to send a representative to the next meeting of the CM-SUIVI3 which will be held on Thursday 8 September 2005 and appointed Mr van den Brande (Belgium, EPP/CD) as its representative, and Mr Gross (Switzerland, SOC) as substitute, to attend meetings of CM-SUIVI3. As neither was available for the meeting of 8 September, however, the Bureau appointed Mr Schreiner (France, EPP/CD) to take part in that meeting.

6.       On 3 October, the Bureau:

i.       Forum on the Future of Democracy:

Ø took note that Mr Gross attended the preparatory meeting of the Minister's Deputies advisory group concerning the launching meeting of the Forum on the Future of Democracy, which took place in Strasbourg on 20 September 2005, in his capacity of member of the Ad Hoc Sub-Committee on the Forum;

Ø took note that the President would address the launching meeting of the Forum which will take place in Warsaw on 3-4 November on the theme of “civic participation” in which members of the Ad Hoc Sub-Committee on the Forum will also take part;

ii. Group of wise persons on the effectiveness of the European Court of Human Rights:

Ø took note of the decision taken by the Ministers’ Deputies on the composition of the group of wise persons on the long term effectiveness of the European Court on Human Rights;

Ø took note that the President reiterated his wish that the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights make a contribution to the work of the group of wise persons;

iii. Task Force to combat violence against women:

Ø took note of the letter from the Secretary General of the Council of Europe asking the Assembly to appoint a representative to take part in the Task force to combat violence against women and asked the Committee of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men to make a proposal for the next Bureau meeting.

C.       4^TH PART OF THE 2005 ORDINARY SESSION (3-7 OCTOBER 2005)

7.       On 1 September, the Bureau:

i.       adopted the draft agenda;

ii.       drew up the draft order of business:

iii.       took note of the President ‘s intention to invite a representative of the Presidency of the European Union to take part in the debate of the “Council of Europe and the European Neighbourhood Policy of the European Union”;

iv.       proposed the following subjects for the Joint Committee to take place on Thursday 6 October at 6.30 pm:

Ø Follow-up to the 3^rd Council of Europe Summit:

a. in general

b. Forum on the future of democracy

      c. Group of Wise Persons (on the long term effectiveness of the ECHR);

Ø Written questions by members of the Assembly to the Committee of Ministers;

Ø Other business;

v.       took note that the Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of the Committees of the European Parliament, Mr Joseph Daul, would meet the President of the Assembly and the Chairpersons of the Assembly’s general committees, preferably on Monday 3 October 2005 at 5.30 pm.

8.       On 3 October, the Bureau:

i.       requests for debates under urgent procedure:

Ø “Opinion on the “Draft Framework Convention of the Council of Europe on the value of cultural heritage”:

• took note of the letter from Ambassador Duarte, Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies, transmitting to the Assembly, for opinion, the “Draft Framework Convention of the Council of Europe on the value of cultural heritage”;

• recommended to the Assembly to hold this debate under urgent procedure and to refer the matter to the Committee on Culture, Science and Education for report;

Ø “Europe and bird flu – preventive health measures” :

• took note of the request to hold a debate under urgent procedure on this matter;

• recommended to the Assembly to hold this debate under urgent procedure and to refer this matter to Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee for report and the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs for opinion.

ii. updated the draft order of business;

iii.       expressed the wish that Mr Lytvyn, Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, answer questions by the Assembly members after his statement on Thursday 6 October;

iv.       Election of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights:

Ø authorised the distribution to Assembly members of the report of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights concerning the list of candidates for the post of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights;

Ø in conformity with the decision taken at its meeting on 18 March in Paris, and endorsed by the Assembly during the April part-session, took note that upon the election of the new Commissioner, the President will declare him elected for a six year non-renewable term of office starting on 1 January 2006, while expressing the hope that he will take up his functions as soon as possible;

Ø asked the Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Immunities to check the procedure concerning the secret ballots in committees and to inform the Bureau accordingly;

v.       Joint Committee (Thursday, 6 October at 6.30 pm):

Ø took note of the letter from Ambassador Duarte stating that the Ministers’ Deputies would like to address the question of the follow-up by national parliaments of the decisions taken at the Third Summit;

Ø took note that the President had sent letters to the Presidents of Parliaments and Chairpersons of the national delegations to the Assembly asking them to provide him with the necessary information on action undertaken by their parliament concerning the follow-up of the Third Summit;

Ø took note that the President had sent a letter to the Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies, proposing that the speaking time be limited to 5 minutes.

D.       SECOND MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY’S WOMEN’S CAUCUS (4 OCTOBER 2005)

9.       On 24 June, the Bureau agreed with the proposal of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men to organise such a meeting on Tuesday 4 October 2005 at the end of the afternoon sitting.

E.       ELECTION OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

10.       On 1 September, the Bureau took note of the letter from the Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies stating that the Ministers’ Deputies, at their 935^th meeting on 13 July 2005, adopted Resolution (2005)4 submitting to the Assembly the candidature of Mr Mateo Sorinas Balfegó for the post of Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.

F.       DATES OF THE APRIL 2006 PART-SESSION

11.       On 24 June, the Bureau decided that the April 2006 part-session will take place from Monday 10 to Thursday 13 April.

G.       MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE (MONACO, 1 SEPTEMBER 2005)

12.       On 24 June, the Bureau approved the draft agenda and took note of the draft programme.

13.       On 1 September, the Bureau:

i.       took note of the updated draft agenda;

ii.       request for a current affairs debate on “violence and all forms of exploitation and abuse with respect to children”:

Ø recommended to the Standing Committee to hold this current affairs debate;

Ø chose Mr Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD) to open the debate;

Ø took note that Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover, President of the World Association of Friends of Children, and Mrs Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, would participate in this debate.

14.       On 1 September, the Standing Committee:

Ø heard a welcome address by Mr Stéphane Valeri, Speaker of the National Council of Monaco;

Ø held an exchange of views with Mr Jean-Paul Proust, Minister of State of Monaco;

Ø ratified the credentials of new members of the Assembly submitted by the delegations of Moldova, the Netherlands, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” and the United Kingdom;

Ø ratified the changes in the composition of general Assembly committees in respect of the delegations of Portugal, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Turkey and the United Kingdom;

Ø took note of the agenda and draft order of business agreed by the Bureau for the October 2005 Part-Session of the Parliamentary Assembly (3-7 October 2005);

Ø held an exchange of views on the observation of parliamentary elections in Bulgaria (25 June 2005) and Albania (3 July 2005) on the basis of reports by ad hoc committees of the Bureau;

Ø held a current affairs debate on violence and all forms of exploitation and abuse with respect to children, with the participation of HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, President of the World Association of Friends of Children (AMADE), and Mrs de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe;

Ø referred back to the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Immunities the report on membership of past Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly in the Political Affairs Committee (Rule 18.3).

H.       ADOPTED TEXTS

15.       On 1 September in Monaco, the Standing Committee, on behalf of the Assembly, adopted the following texts.

Recommendation 1716 (2005)        on Promoting a United Nations 5^th World Conference on women;

Recommendation 1717 (2005)       on Education for Leisure Activities;

Resolution 1461 (2005)       on the Curonian spit, oil and the environment.

I.       REFERENCES AND TRANSMISSIONS TO COMMITTEES

16.       On 24 June, the Bureau approved the following proposals, which were ratified by the Assembly the same day:

i.       references:

Ø Doc. 10536

      Motion for a resolution presented by M. Torosyan and others

Imvros and Tenedos, resume consideration at its meeting either in October 2005 or, at the latest, in November 2005

Ø Doc. 10595

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Van den Brande and others

Enhancing the visibility of the Council of Europe, to the Political Affairs Committee, for report

Ø Doc. 10596

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Margelov and others

Political and statutory role of the Parliamentary Assembly within the Council of Europe, postponed;

Ø Doc. 10597

Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Dupraz and others

Agriculture and illegal employment in Europe, to the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs, for report and to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population for opinion;

Ø Doc. 10598

Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Papadimitriou and others

Europe's contribution to improve water management, to the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs, for report;

Ø Doc. 10599

Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Vėsaitė and others

Europe's interest to intensify economic relations with Belarus, to the Political Affairs Committee, for information;

Ø Doc. 10600

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Rigoni and others

Budgetary powers of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, to the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development, for report, and to the Political Affairs Committee for opinion;

Ø Doc. 10603

Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Bērzinš and others

Voting in the Parliamentary Assembly must be made in the spirit of openness, transparency and accountability, postponed;

Ø Doc. 10604

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Branger and others

Men's involvement in equality projects, to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, for information;

Ø Doc. 10605

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Cliveti and others

The feminisation of poverty, to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for report and to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee for opinion;

Ø Doc. 10606

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Kocharyan and others

Threat to the cultural heritage: challenges for Europe, to the Committee on Culture, Science and Education, for information;

Ø Doc. 10607

Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Riester and others

Europe can and must be shaped with a view to social justice, postponed to the next meeting;

Ø Doc. 10608

Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Slutsky and others

Violation of the right of national minorities to use their native tongue in the Crimea, to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), to be taken into account in the preparation of the report on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Ukraine, and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for information;

Ø Doc. 10609

Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Vadai and others

Women in the armed forces, no further action;

Ø Doc. 10611

Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Hägg and others

Violence against elderly women, to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, for information;

Ø The situation in the Republics of Central Asia (follow up to the current affairs debate), to the Political Affairs Committee, for report;

Ø Current situation in Kosovo (follow up to Resolution 1453 (2005)), to the Political Affairs Committee, for report;

ii.       requests to extend references:

Ø Doc. 10087

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Jarab and others

Academic freedom, university autonomy and human rights in the 21^st century

Ref. No 2935 of 2 March 2004 – Validity 2 March 2006, extended the validity of the reference until 2 October 2006;

Ø Doc. 9869

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Bindig and others

Video surveillance of public areas

Ref. No 2864 of 8 September 2003 – Validity 8 September 2005, extended the validity of the reference until 8 September 2006;

Ø Doc. 9715

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Monfils and others

      Social and Health issues related to surrogate motherhood

Ref. No 2815 of 31 March 2003 – Validity 31 March 2005 (extended until 30 June 2005), extended the validity of the reference until 30 December 2005.

17.       On 1 September, the Standing Committee ratified the following references and modifications of references proposed by the Bureau:

a.       references to committees:

Reference No. 3115       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Riester and others

Europe can and must be shaped with a view to social justice (Doc. 10607) Reference to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, for report on "the social dimension of Europe: full implementation of the revised European Social Charter and evaluation of new labour standards and minimum wages";

Reference No. 3116       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr R. Huseynov and others

The position and social problems of Azerbaijanis compactly living in Georgia (Doc. 10616) Reference to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), to be taken into account in the preparation of the report on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia;

Reference No. 3117       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Paoletti Tangheroni and others

International adoption (Doc. 10617) Reference to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, to be taken into account in the preparation of the report on the "establishment of a European adoption agency/monitoring centre";

Reference No. 3118       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Reimann and others

The potential risks to world financial stability by the rise of hedge funds and certain other new financial instruments (Doc. 10618) Transmission to the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development, for information;

Reference No. 3119       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Pourgourides and others

Abuse of the criminal justice system in Belarus (Doc. 10619) Transmission to the Political Affairs Committee for information;

Reference No. 3120       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Grebennikov and others

      Need to fight terrorism as a threat to fundamental human rights (Doc. 10620) Transmission to the Political Affairs Committee and the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for information;

Reference No. 3121       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Korobeynikov and others

Arrest of Valery Pasat, a former Defence Minister of Moldova (Doc. 10621) To the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), to be taken into account in the preparation of the report on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Moldova;

Reference No. 3122       Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Hurskainen and others

Blasphemy, religious insults and hate speech against persons on grounds of their religion (Doc. 10623) Reference to the Committee on Culture, Science and Education, for report at the Standing Committee;

Reference No. 3123       Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Hurskainen and others

The incorporation of equality principles in the internal work and decision-making mechanisms of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Doc. 10624) Reference to the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Immunities, for report at the Standing Committee, and to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, for opinion;

Reference No. 3124       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Flynn and others

      For a European drug convention on promoting public health policy in drug control (Doc. 10625) Reference to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, for report;

Reference No. 3125       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Margelov and others

Compliance by Observer Countries with the values of the Council of Europe (Doc. 10626) Reference to the Political Affairs Committee, for report, an to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for opinion

Reference No. 3126       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Margelov and others

      Towards Europe without walls and barbed wire (Doc. 10627) Transmission to the Political Affairs Committee, for information

Reference No. 3127       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Hancock and others

Promoting the social, psychological and emotional benefits of animals for handicapped and ageing people (Doc. 10628) Transmission to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, for information

Reference No. 3128       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr van Winsen and others

Health and welfare situation of children living in conflict or post-conflict zones in Europe (Doc. 10629) Reference to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, for report at the Standing Committee

Reference No. 3129       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Iordache and others

The role of ethical and solidarity-based financing and responsible consumption in social cohesion (Doc. 10630) Reference to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, for report

Reference No. 3130        Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Gross and others

Use of the experiences of "the truth commissions" (Doc. 10632) Reference to the Political Affairs Committee, for report

Reference No. 3131       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Schreiner and others

Activities and orientations of the Council of Europe Development Bank (Doc. 10633) Reference to the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development, for report on the activities of the Council of Europe Development Bank, and to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population for opinion

Reference No. 3132       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Čekuolis and others

Possibilities of co-operation between the Council of Europe and Lebanon (Doc. 10636) Transmission to the Political Affairs Committee, for information

Reference No. 3133       Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Bruce and others

Legal instrument for the recognition, protection and promotion of sign languages and the rights of their users (Doc. 10639) Reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report

Reference No. 3134       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Jurgens and others

Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Europe (Doc. 10640) Reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report

Reference No. 3135       Request for an opinion from the Committee of Ministers

      Draft protocol on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to state succession (Doc. 10646) Reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report

b.       modification of references

Reference No. 3136       Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Van den Brande and others

      The Council of Europe and the European neighbourhood policy of the European Union

      Ref. 3102 of 20 June 2005 (modifying Ref. 3083 of 29 April 2005) (Doc. 10535) Reference to the Political Affairs Committee, for report, to the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development and to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), for opinion;

18.        On 1 September, the Standing Committee took note of the decisions of the Bureau as regards:

Ø the Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Margelov and others on the UK postal voting system (Doc. 10622), to take no further action;

Ø the Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Hajiyeva and others on missing persons in Azerbaijan (Doc. 10631), to consult the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population on the possible follow-up;

Ø the Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Marty and others on improving the participation of parliamentarians in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly (Doc. 10634), to postpone its decision, awaiting the discussion in the Bureau on the “organisation of the work of the Assembly and its committees”;

Ø the Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Walter and others on access to satellite broadcasting platforms (Doc. 10635), to consult the Committee on Culture, Science and Education on the possible follow-up;

Ø the Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Wohlwend and others on the protection of human rights in emergency situations (Doc. 10641), pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Co-operation Agreement of 4 October 2004, to ask the Venice Commission to give an opinion on the legal aspects of the issue raised by the Motion before deciding on the reference to a committee;

Ø the Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and others on Investigation of crimes allegedly committed by high officials during the Kuchma rule in Ukraine (Doc. 10653 rev.), to consult the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights on the possible follow-up.

19.       On 3 October, the Bureau

Ø approved the President’s proposal that the committees present to the Bureau in January 2006 the priorities for their work next year and that proposals for references will be considered in this context;

Ø approved the following proposals to be submitted to the Assembly the same day:

a.       references:

1.       Current affairs debate on "Violence and all forms of exploitation and abuse with respect to children" (1 September 2005) and

Doc. 10660

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Gardetto and others

The implementation of legal and other tools useful for fighting against violence and other forms of child exploitation and abuse, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report, and to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee for opinion

2.       Doc. 10667

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Legendre and others

Promoting the teaching of European literature, postponed until January 2006

3.       Doc. 10668

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Stanoiu and others

The image of women in advertising, to Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for report

4.       Doc. 10669

      Motion for a resolution presented by Ms Wurm and others

Police handling of complaints filed by women, postponed until January 2006

5.       Doc. 10672

      Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Toshev and others

Strengthening of the dialogue between the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and national parliaments, to the Political Affairs Committee for report on the use by Assembly members of their “double mandate” national and European+9-*

6.       Doc. 10674

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Gardetto and others

The fight against harm to the environment in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, postponed until January 2006

7.       Doc. 10675

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Gardetto and others

Equal rights and opportunities for the disabled and their integration in society, postponed until January 2006

8.       Doc. 10681

      Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Arabadjiev and others

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights – stock-taking and perspectives, postponed until January 2006

9.       Doc. 10684

      Request for an opinion from the Committee of Ministers

Draft Framework Convention on the value of cultural heritage for society, to the Committee on Culture, Science and Education for report

b.       reply after consultation

1.       Doc. 10635

      Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Walter and others

Access to satellite broadcasting platforms, postponed until January 2006

2.       Doc. 10653 rev.

      Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and others

Investigation of crimes allegedly committed by high officials during the Kuchma rule in Ukraine, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report on the understanding that this report will include the Gongadze case.

c.       request for extension

1.       Doc. 9875

      Motion for a resolution presented by Mr van der Linden and others

Need for international condemnation of totalitarianism (new title decided by the Committee: "Need for international condemnation of the crimes of the communism"), extended the validity until the end of January 2006 (Modification of Ref. No. 2872 of 29 September 2003);

d.       request for modification

1.       Doc. 10545

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Krohn and others

      An European Framework for Diabetes - A call for Europe's leaders to act

Ref. 3092 of 6 June 2005, postponed until January 2006

2.       Doc. 10604

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Branger and others

      Men's involvement in equality projects

Ref. 3108 of 24 June 2005, confirmed its previous decision

3.       Doc. 10081

      Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Jurgens and others

      Human rights of conscript soldiers

Ref. 2929 of 2 March 2004, confirmed its previous decision

J.       MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND THE BUREAU IN 2006

20.       On 1 September, the Bureau agreed on the following dates:

Monday 9 January, 9.30 a.m, Paris       Bureau

Monday 23 January, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Friday 27 January, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Friday 17 March, 8.30 a.m, Paris       Bureau

Friday 17 March, 11.00 a.m, Paris       Standing Committee

Monday 10 April, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Thursday 13 April, 3.30 p.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Thursday 25 May, 8.30 a.m, Moscow*       Bureau

Thursday 25 May, 11.00 a.m, Moscow       Standing Committee       (CM Presidency)

Monday 26 June, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Friday 30 June, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Friday 8 September, 8.30 a.m, Paris       Bureau

Monday 2 October, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Friday 6 October, 8.30 a.m, Strasbourg (part-session)       Bureau

Friday 17 November, 8.30 a.m, San Marino^* Bureau

Friday 17 November, 11.00 a.m, San Marino       Standing Committee

      (CM Presidency)

Friday 15 December, 9.30 a.m, Paris       Bureau

K. ORGANISATION OF THE WORK OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY AND ITS COMMITTEES

21. On 1 September, the Bureau asked the political groups to discuss first this matter and decided to come back to it during the January 2006 part-session.

L.       COMMUNICATION POLICY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

22.       On 24 June, the Bureau postponed the consideration of this matter until a future meeting.

23.       On 1 September, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and decided to come back to it at a next meeting.

M.       VISIT OF RAPPORTEUR

24.       On 24 June the Bureau authorised Mrs de Zulueta, rapporteur of the Political Affairs Committee on “Parliamentary dimension of the United Nations” to visit New York on 7-8 September 2005 within the framework of the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union at the UN Headquarters.

N.       COMPOSITION OF THE MONITORING COMMITTEE

25.       On 24 June, the Bureau approved new members as proposed by the political groups for ratification by the Assembly i.e Mr Mimica (Croatia, SOC) and Mr Ferro Rodrigues (Portugal, SOC).

26.       On 3 October, the Bureau approved new members as proposed by the political groups for ratification by the Assembly i.e Mr Goerens (Luxembourg, ALDE) and Mr Wilshire (United Kingdom, EDG).

O.       APPOINTMENTS OF ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES FOR OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES

27.       On 1 September, the Bureau took the following decisions on the Assembly representatives at different events:

Ø 113^th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Geneva, 17-19 October 2005): Mr Gross (Switzerland, SOC);

Ø 57^th Plenary Session of the Nordic Council (Reykjavik, 25-27 October 2005): an Icelandic member (without costs for the Assembly);

Ø Ministerial Conference marking the end of the 50^th anniversary celebrations of the European Cultural Convention (Faro, 27-28 October 2005): Mr Legendre (France, EPP/CD);

Ø 7^th International Summit on Transnational Crime (Monaco, 10-11 November 2005): Mr Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD);

Ø General Assembly of European Regions (Strasbourg, 24-25 November 2005): asked the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs to appoint a representative;

Ø Euro Mediterranean Forum (Monaco, 8-10 December 2005): Mr Azzolini (Italy, EPP/CD) ;

Ø Parliamentary Conference on the WTO (Hong Kong, 12-15 December 2005): asked the Economic Affairs and Development Committee to appoint a representative;

Ø Second International Conference on the Legislative Aspects of the Fight Against Terrorism (Moscow, 18-19 October 2005): asked the Legal Affairs Committee to appoint a representative.

P.       MEETINGS ELSEWHERE THAN IN STRASBOURG OR PARIS

28.       On 24 June, the Bureau authorised the following meetings

Ø Political Affairs Committee: Ottawa (Canada), 24- 25 October 2005;

Ø Sub-Committee on Human Rights (of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights): Geneva (Switzerland), 13 October 2005;

Ø Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee: Istanbul (Turkey), 14 – 15 November 2005;

Ø Ad hoc Sub-Committee (of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education): Belgrade (Serbia and Montenegro), 7 – 8 November 2005;

Ø Committee on Culture, Science and Education: Prague (Czech Republic), 30 March – 1 April 2006.

29.       On 1 September, the Bureau authorised the following meeting:

Ø Sub-Committee on Migration (of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population): Athens (Greece), 20 – 21 October 2005.

3.       RELATIONS WITH OTHER BODIES OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

A.       COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

v Meeting of the Joint Committee (Thursday 6 October, 6.30 pm)

30.       On 1 September, the Bureau proposed the following subjects for the Joint Committee to take place on Thursday 6 October at 6.30 pm:

Ø Follow-up to the 3^rd Council of Europe Summit:

a. in general

b.       Forum on the future of democracy

c. Group of Wise Persons (on the long term effectiveness of the ECHR)

Ø Written questions by members of the Assembly to the Committee of Ministers;

Ø Other business.

v Written questions to the Committee of Ministers

31.       On 1 September, the Bureau took note of the letters from the Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies on this issue and proposed that this item would be discussed at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Thursday 6 October 2005.

B.       EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN AND DEGRATING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (CPT)

32.       On 24 June, the Bureau drew up the lists of the candidates for the CPT in the following order:

i.       Candidates in respect of Austria:

1/       Mrs Renate KICKER

2/       Mr Johannes SCHNIZER

3/       Mr Helmut EPP

ii.       Candidates in respect of Bulgaria:

1/       Mrs Anna GAVRILOVA-ANTCHEVA

2/       Mrs Diana Zheleva ZHELEVA

3/       Mrs Polia Hristova BAZLIANKOVA

iii.       Candidates in respect of Lithuania:

1/       Mr Eugenijus GEFENAS

2/       Mrs Edita ŽIOBIENE

3/ Mr Julius DERMONAS

iv.       Candidates in respect of Portugal:

1/       Mr Celso José DAS NEVES MANATA

2/       Mr José Anselmo DIAS RODRIGUES

3/       Mrs Maria Teresa COUCEIRO PIZARRO BELEZA

v.       Candidates in respect of Slovenia:

1/       Mr Aleš BUTALA

2/       Mr Ivan ŠELIH

3/       Mr Drago Karl OCVIRK

vi.       Candidates in respect of Greece: asked the Greek delegation to present a new list, which may well include the candidate presented first on the current list, with three qualified candidates fulfilling the selection criteria for CPT membership;

vii.       Candidates in respect of the Russian Federation: noted that the Russian delegation would present a new list of candidates for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights (September 2005);

viii.       Candidates in respect of Netherlands: postponed the consideration of the list until a future meeting;

ix.       Draft report on “Improving CPT selection procedures”: asked the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to accelerate the preparation of this report.

33.       On 3 October, the Bureau drew up the lists of the candidates for the CPT in the following order:

i.       With regard to Croatia:

-       Ms Marija DEFINIS-GOJANOVIĆ

-       Ms Zvjezdana ŠIMUNIĆ

-       Mr Damir BRNETIĆ

ii.       With regard to Germany:

-       Mr Dr. Wolfgang S. HEINZ

-        Mrs Prof. Dr. Hildburg KINDT

-       Mr Dr. jur. Klaus KOEPSEL

iii.       With regard to Liechtenstein:

-       Mrs Isolde KIEBER

-       Mr Philipp WANGER

-       Mr Walter KRANZ

iv.       With regard to Moldova:

-        Ms Tatiana RĂDUCANU

-       Mr Victor ZAHARIA

-       Ms Galina BOSTAN

v.       With regard to the Russian Federation:

-       Mrs Elena SEREDA

-       Mrs Olga ARTAMONOVA

-       Mr Alexander KOVALEV

vi.       With regard to Slovakia:

-       Mrs Zora BRUCHÁČOVÁ

-       Mr Ladislav GETLÍK

-       Mrs Viera STRÁŽNICKÁ

vii.       With regard to Sweden:

-       Mrs Ann-Marie ORLER

-       Mrs Elisabeth FRITZ

-       Mr Peter WEIDERUD

viii.       With regard to Netherlands:

-       Mr Antonius Maria VAN KALMTHOUT

-       Mr Adriaan VAN ES

-       Mr Johan Stephan Leonard GUALTHERIE VAN WEEZEL

ix.       Candidates with regard to Ireland: asked the Irish parliamentary delegation to submit a new list providing a real choice as regards the qualifications, experience, age and gender of the candidates;

x.       Candidates with regard to Georgia: decided to postpone the decision until its next meeting, inviting the Chairperson of the Georgian parliamentary delegation to attend it in order to provide additional information.

xi.       asked the Sub-Committee on Human Rights to invite Chairpersons of national delegations to meetings at which the lists of candidates from their country are considered.

C.       VENICE COMMISSION

v Election observation form

34.       On 24 June, the Bureau recommended, on an experimental basis, the use of the election observation form prepared by the Council for Democratic Elections and adopted by the Venice Commission, during the Parliamentary Assembly upcoming election observation missions from now until the end of the year 2005 and to assess the experience at a Bureau meeting at the beginning of 2006.

v Opinion of the Venice Commission on the compatibility of the laws “Gasparri” and “Frattini” of Italy with the Council of Europe standards in the field of freedom of expression and pluralism and media

35.       On 24 June, the Bureau took note of this opinion.

4.       RELATIONS WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

A.       JOINT MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE AND THE CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (20 OCTOBER 2005)

36.       On 1 September, the Bureau:

i.       took note that this meeting would take place on 20 October 2005 in Brussels;

ii.       proposed the following subjects: EU neighbourhood policy; EU Fundamental Rights Agency; participation of PACE and European Parliament at quadripartite meetings between EU and Council of Europe.

5.       OBSERVATION OF ELECTIONS

A.       PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN BULGARIA (25 JUNE 2005)

37.       On 1 September, the Bureau approved and declassified the report of the Ad Hoc Committee which observed these elections.

B.       PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA (3 JULY 2005)

38.       On 1 September, the Bureau approved and declassified the report of the Ad Hoc Committee which observed these elections.

C.       PARTIAL AND REPEATED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA (1 OCTOBER 2005)

39.       On 1 September, the Bureau set up an Ad Hoc Committee to observe these elections composed of 5 members (one from each political group).

40.       On 3 October, the Bureau took note that it was not possible to observe these elections.

D.       PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN (6 NOVEMBER 2005)

41.       On 1 September, the Bureau appointed Mr Platvoet (Netherlands, UEL) as Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee to observe these elections.

42.       On 3 October, the Bureau took note that a pre-electoral mission would take place from 10 to 14 October, approved the composition of the ad hoc Committee and decided to extend the membership to this Ad Hoc Committee to all those wishing to observe the elections.

E.       CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM IN ARMENIA (NOVEMBER 2005)

43.       On 3 October, the Bureau took note that the date of this referendum is not yet confirmed.

F.       ELECTIONS IN THE CHECHEN REPUBLIC (27 NOVEMBER 2005)

44.       On 3 October, the Bureau:

Ø took note of the letter from M. Alkhanov, President of the Chechen Republic, inviting the Assembly to observe the elections in the Chechen Republic on 27 November;

Ø decided to send a delegation composed of one member from each political group and Mr Gross, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Sub-Committee for the organisation of the Round Table on the political situation in the Chechen Republic, for a fact-finding mission on the occasion of these elections which will report back to the Bureau.

G.       ELECTIONS TO THE PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (25 JANUARY 2006)

45.       On 3 October, the Bureau:

Ø took note that the pre-electoral mission should take place from 12 to 17 December 2005;

Ø took note that if these elections take place as currently planned during the January part-session 2006, the number of the Ad Hoc Committee will be decreased to 10 members.

H.       REQUEST BY THE UNITED NATIONS ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION (UNEAD), THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (NDI) AND THE CARTER CENTER (TCC) FOR ENDORSEMENT OF A DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES FOR INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION AND A CODE ON GOOD CONDUCT FOR INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS

46.       On 3 October, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and decided to come back on this matter at its next meeting.

6.       OTHER MATTERS

A.       INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY

47.       On 24 June, the Bureau took note of the letter of Lord Russell-Johnston, Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Institute for Democracy, giving information about the use by the Institute of the additional 2004 grant of the Parliamentary Assembly to the Institute amounting to € 20 490.

B.       ALLIANCE OF LIBERALS AND DEMOCRATS FOR EUROPE

48.       On 24 June, the Bureau took note that the Liberal, Democratic and Reformer’s Group (LDR) had decided to change the name of the group to Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

C.       INFORMATION

49.       On 1 September, the Bureau took note of the information by the President of the Assembly, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Secretary General of the Assembly.

50.       On 3 October, the Bureau took note of the information by the President of the Assembly, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Secretary General of the Assembly.

^* Dates of meetings due to be held elsewhere than in Strasbourg and Paris are subject to the agreement of the Parliament of the country concerned