Summer Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has begun in Strasbourg today and will last until Friday 24 June.

The Session will be marked by discussion on the position of refugees in Greece, violence against migrants, functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey, transparency and openness in European institutions, and position of women in the armed forces.

The agenda of the Session also includes discussion on culture and democracy, educational and cultural networks of emigrants, mandate and immunity of members of the Parliamentary Assembly, the role of the Assembly as a pan-European forum for inter-parliamentary dialogue and co-operation.

During the Session, the parliamentarians will be addressed by Prime Minister of Estonia Mr Taavi Rõivas and Prime Minister of Greece Mr Alexis Tsipras.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia Ms Marina Kaljurand, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, will present the activities of the Committee in the period between sessions, while Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Thorbjørn Jagland will reply to the questions posed by parliamentarians.

On day one of the Session, PACE President Pedro Agramunt launched a campaign titled “Terrorism: #NoHateNoFear”, aimed at involving politicians, representatives of the civil sector and citizens in combating hate speech.

Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro participates in PACE Summer Session in the following composition: Head of Delegation Mr Predrag Sekulić, and members of Delegation Mr Goran Tuponja, and Ms Snežana Jonica.