While determining the agenda of the Session, the PACE decided that, on Tuesday afternoon, following the introductory remarks by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, it would hold a debate on a comprehensive humanitarian and political response to the migration and refugee crisis, as well as a join debate on the European asylum system, and the challenges met by the countries of transit.

In the morning part of today’s session, PACE President Ms Anne Brasseur awarded the 2015 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize to Ms Ljudmila Aleksejeva, a veteran in defending human rights in Russia. The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize was established three years ago, and is awarded for outstanding contributions in the preservation and promotion of human rights.

At today’s session, Head of Delegation of the Parliament of Denmark Mr Michael Aastrup Jensen was elected as a new Vice-President of PACE.

In the afternoon part of the session, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Thorbjørn Jagland answered the questions asked by the parliamentarians, while Mr Igor Crnadak, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the capacity of the Chairperson. Speaking of activities of the Committee of Ministers during the presidency of the Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Crnadak especially emphasised the significance of involving the Council of Europe in the resolution of the refugee crisis.

During the day, meetings of political groups were held, such as the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development; the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons; the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy; the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, and the Monitoring Committee.

On day two of the session, in addition to the aforementioned debates on the topic of migration and refugee crisis, the agenda will include the debate on public health and the interests of the pharmaceutical industry, and, in the morning part of the session, the parliamentarians will be addressed by His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.