Van der Linden Presents CoE Priorities to Parliament Speaker

Ljubljana, 17 October

Parliament Speaker France Cukjati received on Wednesday President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden, who presented the future priorities of the assembly, in particular the promotion human rights, rule of law and democracy.

Van der Linden emphasised the signing in June of the memorandum on understanding which is aimed at boosting cooperation between the Parliamentary Assembly and the EU, the parliament said in a press release
He also pointed out that the activities of the EU Human Rights Agency and of the Council of Europe (CoE) in the area of human rights might overlap. He added that the CoE's system of protection and monitoring of human rights was making efforts to remain the primary international factor in the field.
Van der Linden added that the EU should not promote human rights in the countries outside of its borders, as it could be understood as interfering with their internal affairs. He said would like to see every country submitting an annual report on human rights, which would then be discussed by national parliaments.
Van der Linden also met Foreign Ministry State secretary Andrej Ster, with whom he discussed protection of human rights, Slovenia's upcoming spell as EU president, topical issues in the Western Balkans, and the cooperation between the EU and Russia.
Van Der Linden earlier today met presidential candidate Lojze Peterle and the representatives of the National Council of Carinthian Slovenians (NSKS), a Slovenian minority organisation in the province of Carinthia, and the Centre of Austrian National Communities.

Van der Linden Presents CoE Priorities to Parliament Speaker

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