The functioning and work of parliaments, as well as the legislative texts they produce must enable human rights, democracy, and the rule of law to exist and flourish.
This was a central message of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić’s address today, as she opened the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Athens, together with the President of the Hellenic Parliament Constantine An. Tassoulas, and PACE President Rik Daems.
Democracies and Covid-19, the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, and European citizens’ common future are the three topical issues on the agenda, streamed live on the web pages of the Hellenic Parliament and PACE. The European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments brings together some 60 Presidents and Speakers of Parliament from the 47 Council of Europe member states, and 300 other delegates from neighbouring and observer countries and other partner parliamentary assemblies.
The first conference was held in 1975. It takes place every two years, hosted alternately in Strasbourg or in the capital of a Council of Europe member state. At the invitation of the Hellenic Parliament, it is held this year in Athens, when the country celebrates the bicentennial of its independence.
Speech by the Secretary General