Communication | Doc. 13883 | 26 September 2015
Activities of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly between the third and the fourth part of the 2015 Ordinary session
1. 1. Visits and meetings
1.1. Activities of the President between 20 June and 27 August 2015
1.1.1. June 2015 part-session of the Assembly (22-26 June 2015)
During the June 2015 part-session of the Assembly, I held a number of bilateral meetings with high-level guests of the Assembly, notably, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, Mr Mladen Ivanic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Moreover, I met a number of chairpersons of national delegations as well as representatives of human rights and civil society organisations. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss with my interlocutors a range of current global and European political challenges – including migration and the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers, human rights challenges in member States and the conflict in Ukraine – as well as the role that the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly could play in addressing these.
On 1 July 2015, I participated in an exchange of views with the Ministers’ Deputies, presenting the results of the June part-session.
1.1.2. Official visit to Portugal (1-3 July 2015)
At the invitation of Ms Maria da Assunção Esteves, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, I paid an official visit to Portugal on 1-3 July 2015. During this visit, I met the President of the Republic, Mr Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, Ms Maria da Assunção Esteves, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Rui Machete, the Minister of Justice, Ms Paula Teixeira da Cruz, as well as representatives of different political groups in the Assembly of the Republic. Moreover, I held an exchange of views with the Director of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, Mr José Frederico Drummond Ludovice, the Mayor of Lisbon, Mr Fernando Medina, and a group of NGO representatives working on human rights issues.
Speaking at the end of the visit, I praised Portugal as a committed European partner and a strong promoter and defender of democratic values. In this context, I underlined Portugal’s commitment to advancing reforms, in particular those in relation to the judiciary.
While welcoming the important efforts made in the fight against corruption, I noted that the level of corruption in the country was still high and expressed hope that the authorities would continue the positive co-operation with our Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). I was informed by the Minister of Justice that special efforts are under way, in particular to promote the adoption of codes of conduct for all public officials. I hope that this and other initiatives will be successful and will contribute to reinforcing a culture of integrity.
The rise of hatred and intolerance in Europe was another key topic of my discussions and I called on the Portuguese authorities to continue promoting tolerance and respect. While populist rhetoric and xenophobia in Portugal are quite low, we must not let down our guard: on the contrary, we have to continue to build a more tolerant and inclusive society.
During my meetings at parliamentary level, I was particularly impressed by the constructive dialogue and respectful co-operation between members of different political groups belonging to the majority and the opposition. This contributes to a positive climate for the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Turning to the role and the future of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, I noted that the Centre has a key role to play in fostering dialogue and co-operation with southern neighbours, notably in the fields of migration and the fight against radicalisation and extremism. In this context, I stressed that the Centre needs to be provided with adequate tools and resources in order to better meet current challenges and use its full potential.
1.1.3. Commemorative events in Utoya, Norway (Oslo, 22 July 2015)
At the invitation of the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament, Mr Olemic Thommessen, I participated, on 22 July 2015, in the commemoration ceremony held in Oslo for the victims of the brutal attacks of 22 July 2011. On this occasion, I made a joint appeal with Mr Thommessen for 22 July to be recognised as the European Day for Victims of Hate Crime.
I strongly believe that we need this European day to show solidarity with all those who have been victims of hate crime, to enable people to recognise these human rights violations and to promote a wide and inclusive effort to combat hate.
1.1.4. 1st meeting of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize Panel (Prague, 25 August 2015)
On 25 August 2015, I participated in the first meeting of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize Panel. On the basis of a careful examination of the applications submitted, the Panel decided to shortlist 3 candidates for the 2015 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, as follows:
- Ms Ludmilla Alexeeva, veteran Russian human rights defender,
- Women for Afghan Women, the largest shelter-providing NGO in Afghanistan, working in 11 provinces to protect the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls,
- The Youth Initiative for Human Rights, an NGO that works to re-establish bonds between young people in the Balkan region, protecting victims of human rights abuses and promoting transitional justice.
1.1.5. Other activities
1.1.5.1. Signing of the COE Convention on manipulation of sports competitions by Luxembourg, Spain and Poland on the margins of the informal meeting of Sports Ministers of the EU (Luxembourg, 7 July 2015)
In the margins of the informal meeting of Sports Ministers of the European Union, I attended the ceremony of the signing of the Council of Europe Convention on manipulation of sports competitions by Luxembourg, Spain and Poland. In this context, I met Ms Snežana Samardžić-Marković, Director General of Democracy of the Council of Europe to discuss, inter alia, ways of promoting this important new Council of Europe international legal instrument.
1.1.5.2. Working visit to Salzburg, Austria (23-24 August 2015)
At the invitation of the Speaker of the Austrian Parliament, Ms Doris Bures, I visited Salzburg on 23-24 August 2015. During this visit, I met Ms Doris Bures, Speaker of the Austrian Parliament, Ms Gisela Wurm, Chairperson of the Austrian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly, Ambassador Brigitte Brenner, Head of the European Union- and International Service, Austrian Parliament, as well as the representatives of the Austrian NO HATE SPEECH movement.
Our discussions focused on the migration drama, the need for a common European response and greater solidarity among member States, as well as the raise of intolerance and xenophobia in Europe. I highlighted in particular the commitment of the Austrian delegation on these as well as other issues.
1.1.5.3. Telephone conversation with Mr Mevlüt Çavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey (12 August 2015)
Reacting to the recent escalation of violence and terrorist attacks in Turkey, I held, on 12 August 2015, a telephone conference with Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mevlüt Çavusoglu. In our discussion, we condemned terrorism and violent extremism and stressed the need to continue combating it. At the same time, we emphasised the urgent need to ease tensions and maintain political stability in the country.
I stressed that, taking into account the situation in the region and the security threats from international terrorism the country is facing, Turkey can count on the Council of Europe’s support, in particular as long-term security cannot be created at the expense of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Concerning the Kurdish issue, I underlined that arms should be put aside and a political solution found. This was all the more important, given the political context in Turkey at the time of our conference, and the coalition negotiations that were taking place, which later failed. I therefore called for restraint and extreme caution, so as not to undermine an inclusive and democratic political process.
1.1.5.4. Telephone conversation with Mr Aleksandr Nikoloski, Chairman of the delegation of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” to the Assembly (21 August 2015)
Reacting to the surge in the number of arrivals in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees, and the government’s decision to declare a state of emergency at its borders, in a telephone conversation with the Chairman of the parliamentary delegation, Mr Aleksandar Nikoloski, I expressed solidarity with the authorities.
At the same time, I stressed that any measures taken by the authorities must comply with the standards of the European Convention on Human Rights and emphasized the role and contribution the Assembly could provide in addressing this difficult and unprecedented situation.
Furthermore, I informed Mr Nikoloski of my intention to raise the broader issue of arrival of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees at my forthcoming meetings with the President of the European Parliament and the leaders of EP’s political groups, as well as European Commissioners responsible for issues relating to the European Union migration agenda. Moreover, I intend to come back to this issue once again at the meeting with the Chairpersons of national delegations to the Assembly during the October 2015 part-session.
1.2. Activities of the President between 27 August and 27 September 2015
1.2.1. 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and bilateral meetings in New York (New York,1-4 September 2015)
On 1-4 September 2015, I travelled to New York to participate in the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and to hold a number of bilateral meetings with UN high officials and international partners.
Speaking at the Conference of the Speakers, I focused on the three main global challenges we are facing today, namely, migration, growing hate speech and intolerance, as well as increasing radicalism. In the face of these extraordinary challenges I called for extraordinary efforts by the world’s parliaments as well as for the intensification of inter-parliamentary co-operation.
More specifically, speaking about the refugee crisis, I called for greater solidarity, stressing in particular the need for a stronger and more coherent European response. While the number of arrivals on European Union soil are significant, the current situation is not insurmountable for a block as large and wealthy as the European Union. It cannot be forgotten that Turkey, a member State of ours, is already hosting over 2 million refugees.
Turning to the issue of hate speech and growing radicalization, I promoted the Parliamentary Assembly’s “No Hate Parliamentary Alliance” as a tool to combat hate speech, hate crime and extremism. I emphasized the need to establish a global network of parliamentarians modeled on the “No Hate Parliamentary Alliance” which already operates at a Pan-European level.
In the margins of my participation in the Speakers’ Conference, I held a number of bilateral meetings with, among others, the Speakers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Jordan, Luxembourg, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, as well as with the heads of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parlatino. In my discussions, I addressed the current Pan-European and global challenges as well as pressing human rights issues.
1.2.2. Joint meeting between the Presidential Committee of Parliamentary Assembly and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (Brussels, 16 September, 2015)
On 16 September 2015, I attended, together with the leaders and representatives of the Assembly’s political groups, the joint meeting with the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament. This meeting was organised in a new format as an informal discussion with the participation of Mr Johannes Hahn, European Union Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, as guest speaker.
Not surprisingly top of the agenda was the refugee crisis. We agreed with our European Parliament interlocutors that we have to work together to find solutions, which should not just be short term fixes but long term strategies. This applies to the migration phenomenon and the current refugee crisis, but also to many of the other problems Europe is facing. In our discussion, we were able to touch on a number of other issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and relations with Russia, as well as worrying developments in Turkey, and on-going problems in Azerbaijan.
1.2.3. Audience with His Holiness Pope Francis and official meetings at the Holy Sea (Rome, 18 September 2015)
On 18 September 2015 I had the immense honour of being received in a private audience by His Holiness Pope Francis. In the course of my discussion with Pope Francis, I expressed my conviction that our absolute priority must be to deal with Europe’s refugee crisis. Faced with the explosive combination of an economic crisis, a massive influx of refugees and the rise of extremist parties, we must put in place policies which say no to hatred. Otherwise, our democracies themselves will be under direct threat.
In this context, I stressed the role that the Assembly’s “No Hate Parliamentary Alliance” could play in combating manifestations of hate, racism and intolerance by taking firm and proactive public positions. I suggested that this this alliance be extended to other international bodies, such as the European Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as to figures in the voluntary sector, sport and religion. I was honored that His Holiness agreed to support our “No Hate Parliamentary Alliance”.
On the same day, I held a bilateral meeting with Mgr Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy Sea, to discuss the co-operation between the Holy Sea and the Council of Europe, in particular, in the context of the urgent need to address key global challenges, such as the refugee crisis and the migration phenomenon, as well as living together and intercultural dialogue.
1.2.4. Meetings of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development (Paris, 11 September 2015)
On 11 September 2015, I attended a meeting of the Assembly Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development. In the exchange of views with the Committee, I stressed the importance of the European Social Charter and welcomed the Committee’s work on the impact of the financial crisis on social rights. Vulnerable groups are always the most affected by the austerity measures and by their impact on social rights. Given the on-going migration and asylum crisis, I pointed out that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are amongst those vulnerable groups whose social rights must be upheld. I supported the activities of the Committee, for instance the work of the network of contact parliamentarians in the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the ONE in FIVE Campaign. I also acknowledged the ever renewed success of the Europe Prize, which since 60 years has contributed to promoting the European ideal.
On the margins of the meeting, I participated in a debate on the theme « Ethics and governance of sports institutions” organised by Mr Jean-François Vilotte, Lawyer at the Bar of Paris, who had co-presided the Drafting group of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports competitions.
1.2.5. Other issues
1.2.5.1. Situation in Turkey
During this period I continued to closely follow the situation in Turkey, expressing concerns about the spiraling escalation of violence. I condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks against the army and law enforcement officials.
At the same time, I stressed that it is equally unacceptable that political parties and media institutions become the target of violent attacks. I strongly condemned the attacks against the HDP headquarters and several local offices as well as against the Hurriyet offices in Istanbul. This is very worrying in the light of the forthcoming early parliamentary elections which have to be held in a pluralistic and free political and media environment.
In this context, I emphasized that the authorities and all political stakeholders should contribute to ensuring the respect of fundamental standards in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. I called on all actors to take a step back, refrain from violence and measure their actions and reactions. The current situation puts a threat on Turkey’s internal stability and has serious and far reaching implications for the stability of the region as a whole.
1.2.5.2. Developments in Azerbaijan
In my recent meeting with Mr Ogtay Asadov, Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, I expressed strong concerns about the continuing crackdown on civil society and the independent media in the country, as well as about the recent sentencing of leading human rights defenders and independent journalists. I stressed that this situation was unacceptable in a Council of Europe member State. I called on the authorities to urgently change their approach to human rights in line with the Organisation’s standards as well as the commitments and obligations they have entered into.
The issue of co-operation with ODIHR within the framework of the observation of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan was also in the focus of my attention. In my discussions with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament I stressed the need to ensure that ODIHR be granted the possibility of carrying out its mission in an appropriate fashion, in accordance with its long established methods and practices.
Following the cancellation of ODIHR’s election observation mission, in the aftermath of the authorities’ decision to limit the number of observers to 6 long term advisers and 125 short term advisers, I addressed a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, expressing strong concerns and requesting him to provide the Assembly with updated information on the situation in relation to ODIHR’s request, so that the Bureau of the Assembly could consider, on 28 September 2015, the implications of these developments for its own election observation mission.
1.2.5.3. Situation in the Republic of Moldova
On 8 September 2015, I discussed over the telephone the current political situation in the Republic of Moldova with Ms Liliana Palihovici, Chairperson of the delegation of the Republic of Moldova to the Assembly. Ms Palihovici informed me of the ongoing protest movements and of the authorities’ response to it. We agreed to meet again during the Assembly’s October 2015 part-session in order to consider the ways in which the Assembly could support the Republic of Moldova in overcoming the current crisis and continuing the necessary reforms.
Details of all my activities and meetings are to be found in the Appendices to these statements.
1.2.5.4. Refugee drama
Reacting to the refugee crisis and its implications in particular for the countries of South-Eastern Europe, I contacted the Chairperson of the Croatian Delegation, Mr Gvozden Flego, in order to receive an update on the situation and current developments.
2. Press Releases
3. Speeches
Appendix 1 – Activities between 20 June and 27 August 2015
(open)1. Bilateral meetings
3rd part of the 2015 Ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (in chronological order)
- Ms Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta
- Mr Igor Crnadak, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
- Representatives of human rights NGOs
- Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Mr Pietro Marcenaro, former Parliamentary Assembly Member
- Mr Roger Kkodo Dang, President of the Pan-African Parliament
- Mr Mladen Ivanić, President, Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Mr Anton Salesny, Landesrat and the Austrian delegation
- Mr Michel Heintz, Advisor in charge of diplomatic and institutional affairs at the Grand Ducal Court, Luxembourg
- Delegation of Palestine
- Mr Jean-Claude Frécon, President, Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
- Ms Sylvie Bukhari-de Pontual, President, FIACAT
Members of the Parliamentary Assembly
- Mr Reha Denemeҫ, Chairperson, Delegation of Turkey
- Mr João Bosco Mota Amaral, Chairperson, Delegation of Portugal
- Ms Ingjerd Schou, Chairperson, Delegation of Norway
- Ms Maria Guzenina, Chairperson, Delegation of Finland
- Mr Tedo Japaridze, Chairperson, Delegation of Georgia
- Mr Ernesto Gándara, Chairperson, Delegation of Mexico
- Ms Inese Libina-Egnere, Chairperson, Delegation of Latvia
Official visit to Portugal (1-3 July 2015) (in chronological order)
- Mr Paul Schmit, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Portugal
- Ms Paula Teixeira da Cruz, Minister of Justice
- Mr Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of the Republic
- Ms Maria da Assunção Esteves, President of the Assembly of the Republic
- Mr João Bosco Mota Amaral and Members of the Portuguese delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly, the President of the parliamentary Committee of Constitutional affairs, the President of the parliamentary Committee for Foreign affairs, the President of the parliamentary Committee for European Affairs, the Permanent Representative of Portugal to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Castro Mendes.
- Mr António Rodrigues, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Group of the Social-democrat Party (PSD)
- Mr Ferro Rodrigues, President of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party (PS)
- Mr Telmo Correia, President of the Parliamentary Group of the democratic and social center – Popular Party (CDS-PP),
- Mr Pedro Filipe Soares, President of the Parliamentary Group Left Bloc (BE)
- Mr João Oliveira, President of the Parliamentary Group of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), and Ms Carla Cruz, Deputy
- Ms Heloísa Apolónia, President of the Parliamentary Group of the ecologist party « the Greens » (PEV)
- Mr Rui Machete, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs
- Representatives of the civil society
- Mr José Frederico Drummond Ludovice, Director of the North-South Center
- Mr Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon
Commemorative ceremony for the victims of 22 July in Utoya (22 July 2015) (in chronological order)
- Ms Ingjerd Schou, Chairperson of the delegation of Norway to the Parliamentary Assembly, Mr Dag Stangnes, Ms Julie Helmersberg Brevik and Ms Maria Ekelund
- Mr Olemic Thommessen, President of the Parliament,
- Ms Inge Eidsvåg, lecturer and former headmaster at NHA, and Mr Steinar Bryn, senior adviser at the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue, Nansen Humanistic Academy
- Mr John Hestnes, 22 July support group
- Ms Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway
- Ms Ana Perona-Fjeldstad, Executive Director, and Mr Lars Gudmundson, Deputy Director, European Wergeland Center
- Mr Jan Tore Sanner, Minister for Local Government and Modernisation
- Representatives of the civil society
Working visit to Salzburg, Austria (23-24 August 2015)
- Ms Doris Bures, Speaker of the Austrian Parliament
- Ms Gisela Wurm, Head of the Austrian delegation to the PACE
- Ambassador Brigitte Brenner, Head of the EU- and International Service, Austrian Parliament
- Representatives of the Austrian NO HATE SPEECH movement
1st meeting of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize Panel (Prague, 25 August 2015)
Members of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize panel:
- Mr František Janouch, Chairman of the Board of the Charta 77 Foundation
- Mr Dick Marty, former member and rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly
- Ms Nuala Mole, Senior Lawyer, Founder of the AIRE Centre
- Mr Marek Antoni Nowicki, Human Rights Lawyer, President of the UN Human Rights Advisory Panel in Kosovo
- Mr Martin Palouš, Former Ambassador of the Czech Republic, President of the Václav Havel Library Foundation in New York and Board member of Václav Havel Library
- Mr Christos Pourgourides, former member and rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly
Meetings with the diplomatic community (in chronological order)
- Ms Michèle Eisenbarth, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the Council of Europe
- Mme Tatiana Pârvu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Moldova to the Council of Europe
- Ms Amy P. Westling, Consul General, Deputy Permanent Observer of the United States of America
- Mr Emin Eyyubov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe
2. Contacts with media (20 June – 27 August 2015) (in chronological order)
|
MEDIA |
TYPE |
COUNTRY |
|---|---|---|
|
Press Conference |
||
|
Prof. Dr. Karla Sponar, Dean of the media and economics curriculum, Diploma School + students in journalism |
Germany |
|
|
Ria Novosti, Christina Luna Rodriguez Sputnik + Pravda |
Press agency and written press |
Russian Federation |
|
Group of journalists Study visit to the Council of Europe of journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Various media Predrag ZVIJERAC, Dnevni List, Mostar Ajla TERZIC, Oslobodenje, Sarajevo Amer BAHTIJAR, Tacno.net, Mostar Azira HRUSTEMOVIC, BHRT, Sarajevo Nidzara AHMETASEVIC, Slobodna Bosna, Sarajevo Bernard MILOSEVIC, SRNA – RS News, Banja Luka Fedzad FORTO,FENA, Sarajevo |
Bosnia and Herzegovinia |
|
Meeting with local journalists |
Written press, TV, radio agency (NTV, Agence Europe, Ansa, Efe, Udo Deutsche Welle, Azerpress, TV polonaise, Xinhua) |
France |
|
Meeting with the press and video interview with members of the No Hate movement |
Video |
Norway |
|
Le Taurillon, web publication issued by the Association of Young Europeans |
Interview / Web |
France |
|
Video Message |
Video on Istanbul Convention campaign |
|
|
Press conference |
on Václav Havel Prize |
Czech Republic |
Appendix 2 – Activities between 27 August and 27 September 2015
(open)1. Bilateral meetings
4th World Conference of IPU Speakers of Parliament and UN contacts (New York, 1-4 September 2015) (in chronological order)
- Professor Dr Norbert Lammert, Speaker, Bundestag, Germany
- Senator Blanca Alcalá, Speaker, Latin American Parliament (Parlatino),
- Rt. Hon John Bercow, Speaker, House of Commons, United Kingdom
- Mr David Usupashvili, Speaker, Parliament, Georgia
- Mr Atef Tarawneh, Speaker, House of Representatives, Jordan
- Mr Ogtay Asadov, Speaker, Milli Mejlis, Republic of Azerbaijan
- Mr Mohamed Ennaceur, Speaker of the Assembly of Representatives of the People, Tunisia
- Mr Mars Di Bartolomeo, Speaker of the Parliament, Luxembourg, and Ambassador Sylvie Lucas, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations
- Mr Saber Chowdhury, Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Ms Ninette Kelley, Director UNHCR Liaison Office in New York and Anne-Christine Eriksson, Deputy Director and Officer-in-Charge, UNHCR Liaison Office in New York
- Mr François Delattre, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations
- Ambassador Richard Erdman, acting U.S. Representative on the UN Economic and Social Council
- Mr Levent Bilman, Director of Europe Division, Department of Political Affairs
- Mr Ivan Simonovic, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
- Mr John Ging, Director of Coordination and Response Division, OCHA
- Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations
- Ms Veronika Szente Goldston, Advocacy Director, Europe and Central Asia Division, and Ms Jane Buchanan, Europe and Central Asia associate Director, Human Rights Watch
- Mr Chris Stone, President, Open Society Foundations
Meetings on the margins of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development (Paris, 11 September 2015)
- Mr Jean-François Vilotte, Associate, Lawyer at the Bar of Paris
- Mr Valeriu Ghiletchi, Chairperson, AS/Soc
- Ms Petra de Sutter, Rapporteur AS/Soc on Human rights and ethical issues related to surrogacy
- Ms Laura Martínez-Mora, Collaboratrice juridique principale, HCCH (Conference of The Hague)
- Professor Susan Golombok, Expert
Meetings in Strasbourg (14-15 September, 2015)
- Mr Philippe Boillat, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
- Ms Laima Jurevičienė, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the Council of Europe
Joint meeting between the Presidential Committee of Parliamentary Assembly and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (Brussels, 16-17 September, 2015)
- Mr Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament
- Presidents and Representatives of Political Groups of the European Parliament:
- Mr Manfred Weber, President of the EPP
- Mr Enrique Guerrero Salom, Vice-President of the S&D
- Mr Geoffrey Van Orden, Vice-President of the ECR
- Ms Sophia in 't Veld, Vice-President of ALDE
- Ms Malin Bjork, Vice-President of GUE/NGL
- Ms Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the Greens/European Free Alliance
- Mr Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations
- Mr Elmar Brok, President of the AFET Committee (Committee of Foreign Affairs) of the European Parliament
- Mr Claude Moraes, President of the LIBE Committee (Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) of the European Parliament
- Mr Klaus Welle, Secretary General of the European Parliament
Audience with His Holiness Pope Francis and official meetings at the Holy See (Rome, 18 September 2015)
- His Holiness Pope Francis
- Mgr Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy Sea
- Mgr Paulo Rudelli, Special Envoy and Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Council of Europe
- Ambassador Janine Finck, Ambassador of Luxembourg in Rome
2. Contacts with media (27 August – 27 September 2015) (in chronological order)
|
MEDIA |
TYPE |
COUNTRY |
|---|---|---|
|
Süddeutsche TV GmbH |
Television |
Germany |
|
Tageblatt Woxx Revue Luxemburger Wort Luxembourg Féminin d'Lëtzebuerger Land Lëtzebuerger Journal free-lance/ radio 100,7 |
Written press + radio |
Luxembourg |
|
Radio TV Macedonia |
FYROM |
|
|
Hurriyet Brussels |
Written press |
Turkey |