Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will participate in the Winter Session, taking place in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 January 2015.

An urgent debate following the Paris terrorist attacks, and debates on the protection of media freedom in Europe and on the humanitarian situation of Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons are among highlights of the Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

On day two of the Winter Session, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will discuss the Report on honouring of obligations and commitments by Montenegro, composed by co-rapporteurs Mr Kimmo SASI and Mr Terry LEYDEN, at which they propose closing the monitoring procedure in respect of Montenegro and engaging in post-monitoring dialogue

Parliamentarians will also discuss the Report on implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the European Union.

In addition, the participants will discuss topics such as: Tackling intolerance and discrimination in Europe with a special focus on Christians, Equality and the crisis and Protection of the right to bargain collectively, including the right to strike.

President of Ireland Mr Michael D. Higgins and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Thorbjørn Jagland will address the parliamentarians, while Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium and Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers Mr Didier REYNDERS will answer MPs’ questions. Mr Nils MUIŽNIEKS, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, will address parliamentarians during the debate on situation in Ukraine.

On final day of the session, the Assembly will discuss the following topics: Equality and inclusion for people with disabilities and Democratic participation for migrant diasporas.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will hold a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Montenegrin Delegation at the Winter session is composed of: Mr Predrag Sekulić, Head of Delegation and members: Ms Draginja Vuksanović, Mr Goran Tuponja, Mr Damir Šehović and Ms Snežana Jonica.