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Communication | Doc. 14018 | 15 April 2016

Activities of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly between the first and the second part of the 2016 Ordinary session

1. Visits and meetings

1.1. Activities of the President between 25 January and 29 February 2016

1.1.1. 2016 First part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly (25-29 January 2016)

Since my election as President of the Parliamentary Assembly, on 25 January 2016, I have held a number of institutional meetings, including with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Deputy Secretary General as well as the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers. I intend to continue these regular contacts to co-ordinate our respective agendas and to seek synergies in achieving the Council of Europe’s and the Assembly’s objectives and priorities.

On 26 January 2016, I met Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. I congratulated Turkey on becoming a major contributor to the Council of Europe’s budget and thanked Minister Çavuşoğlu for his personal commitment to supporting the Council of Europe and our Assembly. In our bilateral discussions, we touched upon the issues of counteracting extremism and terrorism, the refugee crisis and the ongoing co-operation between Turkey and the European Union, the situation in Ukraine, as well as the issue of relations between Russia and the Council of Europe.

On 26 January 2016, I met Mr Rosen Plevneliev, President of Bulgaria. We discussed the activities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and I assured President Plevneliev of the Assembly’s full support. Moreover, we discussed the issue of the refugee crisis as well as the issue of democratic stability in Eastern Europe, the situation in Ukraine, as well as the issue of relations between Russia and the Council of Europe. Speaking about domestic reforms, I stressed that the Chairmanship was an opportunity to make further progress and encouraged the authorities to continue good co-operation with the Assembly within the framework of the post-monitoring dialogue.

On 26 January 2016, I met Mr Atef Tarawneh, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Jordan. I congratulated Mr Tarawneh on the granting to his Parliament of the partner for democracy status with the Assembly, encouraging the parliamentarians of Jordan to make active use of all benefits associated with their new status and to contribute to our debates on issues of common interest. I look forward to providing any political support that may be required to our new partners.

On 27 January 2016, I met Mr Harlem Désir, French Secretary of State for European Affairs. I expressed the Assembly’s support to the French authorities in counteracting radicalisation and extremism, while stressing the importance for all member States of the Council of Europe to respect our principles and standards in this process.

On 28 January 2016, I met Ms Lorella Stefanelli and Mr Nicola Renzi, Captains Regent of San Marino. I congratulated the Captains Regent on ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence and encouraged San Marino to continue its good co-operation with the Council of Europe.

During the session, I also met Mr Nikolay Samoseiko, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. We discussed the issue of relations between Belarus and the Council of Europe and, in particular, the conditions that have to be met to resume co-operation with the Assembly. The introduction of a moratorium on the use of death penalty as well as progress in the field of democratic reforms are essential conditions for developing our relations further. We also discussed the steps that have to be taken by the authorities of Belarus to address the recommendations of the Assembly’s observers ahead of the parliamentary election to be held later this year.

Furthermore, I met the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Ivan Soltanovsky. We discussed the issue of relations between Russia and the Parliamentary Assembly and the steps that could be taken to resume co-operation.

Finally, during the session week, I held a number of bilateral meetings with national delegations to the Assembly as well as with representatives of civil society.

1.1.2. Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Foreign Affairs of National Parliaments on “Democratic security based on European Unity and Co-operation” (Sofia, 9 February 2016)

At the invitation of the Parliament of Bulgaria, I participated in the conference on “Democratic Security based on European Unity and Co-operation”, organised within the framework of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In my opening address, I stressed the need to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democratic security and to unite our efforts to address the many political challenges that Europe has to face, in particular international terrorism, the refugee crisis, the wave of left and right-wing populism across Europe, rising nationalism and the erosion of democratic principles and human rights. Furthermore, I focused on the need to further promote reconciliation in Europe and address “frozen” and “burning” conflicts that, unfortunately, still exist among our member States.

Speaking about the idea of convening a Council of Europe Summit on Democratic Security, I referred to the Assembly’s Sofia declaration in which we expressed our unanimous support for this idea. As members of the Assembly we support this idea and are ready to contribute to the preparations of this important event.

The conference was attended by a number of high-level personalities, including Ms Tsetska Tsacheva, Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly, Mr Daniel Mitov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Ms Rumiana Bachvarova, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of Internal Affairs, Ms Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, as well as Dr Walter Schwimmer, Co-Chairman, World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations, Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe. I appreciated the possibility of having brief exchanges of views with such important personalities on the side-lines of the Conference.

1.1.3. Address to the Committee of Ministers (Strasbourg, 10 February 2016)

On 10 February 2016, I addressed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, informing the Ministers’ Deputies of my and the Assembly’s current priorities, as well as highlighting some important elements of the Assembly’s debates during the January 2016 part-session of the Assembly. My address was followed by an exchange of views.

1.1.4. Meetings in Spain (Madrid, 11, 17 January and 4 February 2016)

On 11 February 2016, His Majesty King Felipe VI granted me an audience at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. During the audience, I outlined to His Majesty the King of Spain the main priorities of my mandate and we discussed the 40th anniversary of Spain’s accession to the Council of Europe, which will be commemorated in 2017. His Majesty the King of Spain is particularly interested in promoting this important anniversary and intends to attend an Assembly part-session next year, following in the footsteps of his father His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, at the end of the 1970s.

On 17 February 2016, I met with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel García Margallo. The Minister reaffirmed that Spain is fully committed to the values ​​and principles of the Council of Europe, to defend human rights, democracy and the primacy of the rule of law. Moreover, Spain is interested in giving strong support to the Council of Europe in tackling gender discrimination, xenophobia, terrorism and transnational criminal networks. With reference to the fight against terrorism, the Minister, stressed the importance of also dealing with the situation of victims of terrorism in the Council of Europe’s work.

Finally, on 4 February 2016, I gave a lecture on “The challenges of the Council of Europe” at the Universidad Europea in Valencia on 4 February, with the aim of making the Council of Europe principles and values better known among young people. Furthermore, I held a wide-ranging series of meetings with the most important newspaper editors in Spain.

1.1.5. Meetings in Strasbourg (24-25 February 2016)

On 24-25 February 2016, I held a number of bilateral meetings with Ambassadors as well as with senior Council of Europe officials in order to get acquainted with the current Council of Europe priorities and identify opportunities for co-operation and synergies with the Assembly and its bodies.

1.2. Activities of the President between 29 February and 15 April 2016

1.2.1. Visit to Azerbaijan (Baku, 29 February – 1 March 2016)

On 29 February – 1 March 2016, I paid a working visit to Azerbaijan. During this visit, I met the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Azerbaijani Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly, and held an exchange of views with representatives of leading Azerbaijani NGOs, human rights defenders and lawyers.

I was encouraged by the frank and open discussions with my high-level interlocutors about a number of rule of law and human rights issues. From my discussions, I could sense the possibility for changes as Azerbaijan faces up to a variety of challenges which go beyond energy issues and human rights, and include the financial crisis and the need to attract foreign investors through the rule of law and transparency.

I was able to discuss openly some of the problems faced by civil society in terms of the recent legislation affecting NGOs. I could raise some of the issues arising from the recent parliamentary elections and I was in a position to press for greater co-operation with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and use of its legal advice.

One of the issues high on the agenda in all my meetings was that of implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and in particular those affecting persons in detention, including Ilgar Mammadov, whom I met in detention during my visit. From my discussions with all involved, it was clear how sensitive an issue this is, but also that solutions can be found and need to be found, not just in terms of individual cases, but in relation to legal processes. In this respect, I was assured that the Azeri authorities would co-operate with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in the preparation of Article 52 report on effective implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Finally, I highlighted that Azerbaijan continues to face the consequences of the deadlock over the conflict concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This conflict not only destabilises both Armenia and Azerbaijan, affecting their economies and their societies, but it also adversely affects the capacity of these countries to progress in the fields of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

During the week-end of 2-3 April 2016, violence sparked again on the line of contact. In this context, I made a statement regretting the outbreak of violence, calling on both sides to honour the cease-fire and comply with their commitments entered into upon accession to the Council of Europe, that is to use only peaceful means for settling their conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. I welcome the fact that a cease-fire has been now put in place again.

On 17 March 2016, I welcomed the news that 148 persons were released in Azerbaijan. Among the persons released were:

  • Winner of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, civil society activist Anar Mammadli
  • Human rights defenders, Taleh Khasmamadov and Rasul Jafarov
  • Chairman of the National Statehood Party, Nemat Panahli
  • NIDA Civic Movement members, Rashad Hasanov, Rashadat Akhundov, Mammad Azizov and Omar Mammadov
  • Musavat members, Tofiq Yaqublu, Yadigar Sadiqov and Siraj Karimov
  • Journalists, Parviz Hasimov, Hilal Mammadov and Rauf Mirkadirov

During my meetings in Baku, I was given assurances that there would be major releases in the coming weeks. I welcome the fact that these assurances were kept.

In a subsequent development, the Azeri Supreme Court released, on 28 March 2016, the human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev. I welcomed this judicial step and expressed hope that it would pave the way for strengthened co-operation between the Azeri authorities and the Council of Europe, in particular as regards the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and the launching of the co-operation with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe within the framework of the Article 52 inquiry.

I will continue my dialogue with the Azeri authorities on the case of political activists in detentionand notably Ilgar Mammadov, so as to ensure that he is released, inter alia, in compliance with the execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in his case.

1.2.2. Meetings with the European Union (Brussels, 14-17 March 2016)

On 14-17 March 2016, I visited the European Union institutions in Brussels, meeting the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament, the EU Commissioner for Neigbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations as well as a number of MEPs, including the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Co-chair of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly and the Chairs of Parliamentary delegations for co-operation with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Russia.

At the end of my visit, I praised European Union leaders and in particular President Juncker and President Schulz for their commitment to Pan-European solidarity in the face of the challenges ahead, namely the refugee crisis and the rise of populism. I supported closer European Union-Council of Europe co-operation as a means of providing a multilateral response based on the standards of the European Convention on Human Rights to the challenges that Europe is facing.

I welcomed the fact that the issue of European Union accession to the European Convention of Human Rights is and remains a political priority for President Juncker and President Schulz. President Juncker’s forthcoming visit to Strasbourg and his address to the Assembly during our April 2016 part-session will be an opportunity to discuss concrete steps that could be taken to move forward on this as well as other dossiers of mutual interest.

Supporting reforms in Council of Europe member States was also part of the focus of my discussions. I stressed that our expertise is instrumental for the success of reforms in our member States and welcomed the extensive use by Europeann Union bodies of the reports and assessments of Council of Europe monitoring bodies.

As far as our relations with the neighbourhood are concerned, I held an extensive overview of co-operation between the European Union and the Council of Europe with the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. Discussions focused inter alia on Belarus and I highlighted the fact that our approaches followed the same general lines: we should develop relations with Belarus but Belarus has to show its commitment to the values we share, in particular, by introducing a moratorium on the use of death penalty and creating conditions for free and fair elections ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

1.2.3. Official visit to Hungary (Budapest, 4-6 April 2016)

On 4-6 April 2016, I paid an official visit to Hungary, meeting the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I also held an exchange of views with the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and visited the European Youth Centre.

Speaking at the end the visit, I called for a comprehensive pan-European approach to meeting the challenges of the refugee crisis and the threat of terrorism and radicalisation. I also called for solutions to be found for Europe’s “frozen conflicts”.

Referring to the refugee crisis, I called for international agreements and the standards of the European Convention on Human Rights to be respected. I pointed out that the cases of all individuals arriving in Europe must be examined in accordance with international standards, so as to ensure that every person in need of international protection receives it. This is our international obligation. I encouraged the Hungarian authorities to seek the advice and expertise of UNHCR, and where appropriate the Council of Europe, and urged them to co-operate closely with the Secretary General’s Special Representative on Migration and Refugees, to find appropriate solutions adapted to the local situation while respecting human rights standards.

As regards the threat of radicalisation and terrorism, I called on parliamentarians, governments and democratic political forces to join efforts to defend Europe’s democratic institutions and fundamental values. In response to terrorism, we must reaffirm our core democratic values and denounce demagogy, populism and xenophobic rhetoric. Populist movements exploit public fears and contribute to radicalising our societies even further.

Moreover, I expressed hope that the new anti-terrorism legislative package to be presented by the Hungarian Government would enhance the security of the country and the whole region. At the same time, I stressed the need to ensure that measures to combat terrorism comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and offered the authorities Council of Europe support and expertise.

During my discussions, I also addressed the issue of the so-called “frozen conflicts”. I highlighted the role that parliamentary diplomacy could play in this field stressing that it was our duty, as Europeans, to find solutions to these conflicts together. Dialogue between parliamentarians should be our main tool and international law provides the appropriate legal framework for this. We must support our member states in their efforts to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts, within the framework of international law, and we must insist on the need to respect commitments and obligations relating to membership of the Council of Europe.

Finally, as far as co-operation between Hungary and the Council of Europe is concerned, I encouraged the authorities – and in particular the Parliament – to make full use of the Council of Europe’s expertise in the drafting of laws and their implementation. I highlighted the fact that the Government of Hungary is open to discussing issues with the Council of Europe, stressing that the recommendations of our monitoring bodies and the advice of our experts – in particular, the Venice Commission – can help Hungary make full use of the best practices existing in Council of Europe member States.

1.2.4. Other activities

On 2-4 March 2016, I participated in the meetings of the Presidential Committee, Bureau and Standing Committee in Paris.

On 7-8 March 2016, I participated in the meetings of the Committee on Legal affairs and Human rights and of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy in Paris.

2. Press Releases

1. Spaniard Pedro Agramunt elected PACE President (25 January 2016)
2. Pedro Agramunt: “A date to remember the victims of former horrors, but also the victims of tomorrow” (27 January 2016)
3. PACE President calls for unity around the principles of democratic security (9 February 2016)
4. Pedro Agramunt welcomes the agreement on ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Syria (12 February 2016)
5. PACE President condemns terrorist attack in Ankara (18 February 2016)
6. Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister meets with PACE President (18 February 2016)
7. As ten-year torture inquiry ends, Council of Europe member States give final responses on CIA ‘secret prisons’ and rendition (26 February 2016)
8. PACE President, ending visit: I believe Azerbaijan is ‘at a turning point’ (1 March 2016)
9. Concern about the Istanbul Court's decision undermining media freedom (5 March 2016)
10. PACE President condemns bombing in Ankara (13 March 2016)
11. President calls for intensified co-operation between the Council of Europe and the EU (17 March 2016)
12. PACE President applauds decision to release 148 prisoners in Azerbaijan (17 March 2016)
13. President reacts to the beginning of the verdict on PACE member Nadiya Savchenko (21 March 2016)
14. President shocked by attacks in Brussels (22 March 2016)
15. PACE President: release of Intigam Aliyev, a welcome judicial step (28 March 2016)
16. PACE President calls for respect of cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh (3 April 2016)
17. Pedro Agramunt in Hungary urges European solidarity: ‘No country can solve the challenges we face alone’ (6 April 2016)

3. Speeches

1. Inaugural address to the members of Parliamentary Assembly at the First part of the Ordinary session of 2016 (25 January 2016)
2. Address on the occasion of the Ceremony of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (Strasbourg, 27 January 2016)
3. Opening statement at the Conference of Chairpersons of committees of foreign affairs of national parliaments: Democratic security based on European unity and co-operation (Sofia, 9 February 2016)
4. Statement at Session 3 at the Conference of Chairpersons of committees of foreign affairs of national parliaments: Sofia Declaration of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: The need for convening the Fourth Summit of the Council of Europe (Sofia, 9 February 2016)
5. Address to the Committee of Ministers (Strasbourg, 10 February 2016)
6. Opening speech at the Standing Committee meeting (Paris, 10 March 2016)
7. Introductory remarks at the working dinner with members of the European Union (Brussels, 14 March 2016)
8. Introductory remarks at the meeting of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the Hungarian Parliament (Budapest, 5 April 2016)

4. Personalities met

4.1. 1st 2016 part-session of the Assembly (25-29 January 2016)

  • Mr Daniel Mitov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
  • Ambassador Ivan Soltanovsky, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe
  • Mr Michael Kasyanov, former Russian Prime Minister and leader of PARNAS
  • Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General and Ms Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
  • Ms Zhanna Nemtsova, Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom
  • Mr Rosen Plevneliev, President of Bulgaria
  • Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
  • Mr Atef Tarawneh, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Jordan
  • Mr Aleksey Sergeev, Secretary General, Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
  • Ambassador Luis Javier Gil Catalina, Permanent Representative of Spain to the Council of Europe, and Mr Federico Torres Muro, Deputy Permanent Representative
  • Mr Nikolay Samoseiko, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus
  • Ms Liliana Palihovici, Chairperson of the delegation of the Republic of Moldova to the Parliamentary Assembly
  • Mr Harlem Désir, French Secretary of State for European Affairs
  • Mr Tedo Japaridze, Chairperson of the delegation of Georgia to the Parliamentary Assembly
  • Mr Talip Küçükcan, Chairperson, and members of the delegation of Turkey to the Parliamentary Assembly
  • Ms Lorella Stefanelli and Mr Nicola Renzi, Captains Regent of San Marino
  • Mr Zsolt Németh, Chairperson of the delegation of Hungary to the Parliamentary Assembly
  • Ambassador Pedrag Grgiç, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Council of Europe
  • M. Philippe Dam, Advocacy Director, Ms Jane Buchanan, Associate Director and Mr Giorgi Gogia, South Caucasus Director, Europe and Central Asia Division, Human Rights Watch
  • Mr George Papuashvili, President of the Constitutional Court of Georgia
  • Ms Houria Youfsi, General Consul of Algeria

4.2. Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Foreign Affairs of National Parliaments on “Democratic security based on European Unity and Co-operation” (Sofia, 9 February 2016)

  • Ms Dzhema Grozdanova, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bulgarian National Assembly and Head of the Bulgarian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly
  • Ms Tsetska Tsacheva, Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly
  • Mr Daniel Mitov, Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
  • Ms Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
  • Dr Walter Schwimmer, Co-Chairman, World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations, Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe
  • Ms Rumiana Bachvarova, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of Internal Affairs
  • Mr Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria

4.3. Meetings in Strasbourg (10 February 2016)

  • Ambassador Janusz Stańczyk, Permanent Representative of Poland to the Council of Europe

4.4. Meetings in Spain (Madrid, 11 and 17 January 2016)

  • His Majesty King Felipe VI, King of Spain
  • Mr José Manuel Garcia-Margallo, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain

4.5. Meetings in Strasbourg (24-25 February 2016)

  • Mr Shinsuke Shimizu, Consul General of Japan, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of Japan to the Council of Europe
  • Mr Zoltan Taubner, Director, Directorate of External Relations
  • Mr Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Enlarged Agreement of Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and Ms Simona Granata, Deputy Secretary of the Venice Commission
  • Mr Alexandre Guessel, Director, Directorate of Political Affairs
  • Mr Philippe Boillat, Director General, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law
  • Mr Mohamed Trabelsi, Consul General of Tunisia
  • Ambassador Katrin Kivi, Permanent Representation of Estonia to the Council of Europe
  • Ambassador Zoran V. Popović, Permanent Representative of Serbia to the Council of Europe
  • Ms Pilar Morales Fernandez-Shaw, Head of Division, Office of the Directorate General of programmes, Neighbouring Regions Division
  • Ambassador Astrid Helle, Permanent Representative of Norway to the Council of Europe, and Mr Åsmund Eriksen, Deputy Permanent Representative

4.6. Visit to Azerbaijan (Baku, 29 February – 1 March 2016)

  • Mr Ogtay Asadov, Chairman of the Milli Mejlis
  • Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic
  • Mr Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • Members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Assembly
  • Mr Ilgar Mammadov
  • Representatives of the diplomatic community
  • Civil Society Organisations
  • Journalists
  • Laywers

4.7. Meetings with the European Union (Brussels, 15-17 March 2016)

  • Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission
  • Mr Andi Cristea, MEP, Chair of the European Parliament delegation for the Republic of Moldova
  • Mr Andrej Plenković, MEP, Chair of the European Parliament delegation for Ukraine
  • Mr Othmar Karas, MEP, Chair of the European Parliament delegation for Russia
  • Mr Joseph Daul, President, European People’s Party
  • Mr Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament
  • Ms Heidi Hautala, MEP, Co-Chair of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
  • Mr Elmar Brok, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Mr Johannes Hahn, Member of the European Commission, European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations
  • Ambassador Torbjørn Frøysnes, Head of the Council of Europe Liaison Office in Brussels, and staff of the Council of Europe Office

4.8. Official visit to Hungary (Budapest, 4-8 April 2016)

  • Mr László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly
  • Mr János Áder, President of Hungary
  • Mr Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Members of the Hungarian Delegation to the Assembly
  • Members of the Foreign affairs committee of the Hungarian Parliament
  • Representatives of the UNHCR Regional Office for Central Europe
  • Staff of the European Youth Centre in Budapest