Europese samenwerking staat centraal in ontmoeting van Putin met PACE president (en)
Strasbourg, 19.05.2006 - Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President René van der Linden i today welcomed the Russian chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe as a unique opportunity for Europe to build up a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and trust. He said that this partnership would be at the heart of discussions at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on 29 May, organised on the occasion of a PACE Standing Committee meeting in Moscow.
“This chairmanship is an opportunity for Russia to demonstrate that it is a full part of democratic Europe, as an equal partner. It is also an opportunity for the Council of Europe to demonstrate its pan-European character and its added value in comparison with the EU,” he stressed.
“It is now up to Russia to show that it can actively contribute to building a democratic Europe, which also includes finding peaceful solutions to existing conflicts on our continent. I also hope that the Russian chairmanship will achieve progress in negotiating a meaningful agreement between the Council of Europe and the EU, with a stronger parliamentary dimension,” he said.
“With respect to human rights, the rule of law and democracy, Russia, as other member states, has still some way to go. For the Council of Europe having a Russian chairmanship doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to outstanding commitments. We shall support Russia, as for all members of our European family, in making progress,” the President concluded.
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