Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Angel Gurria, speaking to MPs within the annual debate on the activities of the OECD, warned that global unemployment rate has reached alarming proportions and that in some countries, such as Greece and Spain, youth unemployment rate exceeds 50 percent. He also pointed out that the economic crisis contributed to growing inequality and encouraged social crisis, leading to a decline of citizen’s trust in government and institutions. He reminded of some of the OECD activities aimed at solving these problems, including recent projects focused on reducing unemployment, strengthening the trade flows and improving tax policy. He urged the parliamentarians to contribute with their suggestions to further action of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Parliamentarians from Chile, Japan, Mexico and the Republic of Korea - OECD member countries that are not members of the Council of Europe, also participated in the discussion on the activities of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.   

During the plenary debate on the functioning of democratic institutions in Georgia, the Parliament welcomed all political actors in Georgia who took part in a peaceful and democratic handover of power that happened after the parliamentary elections in 2012 and presidential elections in 2013. Starting from conclusions of co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stated with pleasure that the strong opposition, with well-organized governing coalition, further strengthened the role of Parliament in Georgia. In the Resolution adopted on the basis of the Report of co-rapporteurs, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe welcomed the comprehensive reforms announced by the Georgian authorities, including constitutional reforms, which should contribute to strengthening the democratic institutions in that country and guarantee the independence of the judiciary. At the same time, PACE called on the state authorities of Georgia to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of former government officials for allegations of possible abuse of office and committed criminal offenses, with the obligation that the process should be impartial, applying the principles of equity, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. MPs expressed concern over the widespread use of detention in Georgia and emphasized that these measures should not be used for political purposes. The Parliament called on Georgia to overcome the existing antagonism and polarization in order to continue with further path of democratic development. PACE expressed willingness to assist the Georgian authorities on that path.   

As part of the discussion about the crisis in Ukraine, which aroused great interest of parliamentarians, it was stressed that it was necessary to provide a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine, with the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territory of this country. Also, PACE once again called for dialogue between Ukraine and Russia in order to resolve the conflict, and to launch an investigation of war crimes committed so far. It was estimated that Ukraine was on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks participated in the debate on Ukraine, and he recently visited the Crimea and informed the Assembly on the situation of human rights in that country. He urged the international community to assist Ukraine in order to resolve the situation that was facing, as well as to assist in long-term reconstruction of the country.   

During the day, members of the Montenegrin delegation to PACE participated in the meetings of the Socialist Group, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE Group), the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy and joint meeting of the Committee on Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs and the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination.

In addition to participation in the plenary session and working bodies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the members of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to PACE participated in many other events organized by the Parliamentary Assembly or individual delegations.  

Tomorrow, MPs will be addressed by the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov.

There will also be a debate on threats and violence against humanity by the terrorist group "Islamic state".

In the afternoon, MPs will discuss the activities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Also, discussion will be held on the monitoring procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in the period from September 2013 to October 2014, and the Report on honoring of obligations and commitments by Albania will be considered.  

Montenegrin delegation at the Autumn Session is composed of: Predrag Sekulić PhD, Damir Šehović MA, Mladen Bojanić and Snežana Jonica.