PACE summer session launches today, June 20
The summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) launches today, June 20. Addresses by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas are among the highlights of the session taking place in Strasbourg on June 20-24.
Nadezhda Savchenko also arrived in Strasbourg with the Ukrainian delegation.
Topics for debate include the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey, refugees at risk in Greece, violence against migrants, fighting the over-sexualisation of children, transparency and openness in European institutions, and promoting equality and putting an end to gender-based violence among women in the armed forces.
Estonian Foreign Minister and Committee of Ministers Chairperson Marina Kaljurand will present the activities of the Council of Europe’s ministerial body and answer questions from parliamentarians. Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will also take questions from PACE members.
PACE President Pedro Agramunt will launch a Europe-wide initiative to encourage a response to terrorism founded on the twin themes of #NoHateNoFear.