On day three of the Autumn Session, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held a consolidated discussion on political consequences of the Ukraine conflict and human rights violations in areas not under Ukrainian control. Resolutions 2132 (2016) and 2133 (2016) express concern over the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine for both - Ukraine itself and general stability and security in Europe, and reiterated support to the principle of peaceful settlement of conflicts and Minsk process, as well as to independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. PACE called upon Russia to withdraw its armed forces from the Ukrainian territories, stop military supplies to separatists and guarantee the human rights on territories under its control, while it called upon Ukraine to continue the implementation of necessary reforms.

Mr Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, addressed the Assembly in the context of a report on sport for all. With regard to that, the Assembly adopted the Resolution upon the proposal of Ms Carmen Quintanilla, member of the Spanish delegation. PACE parliamentarians draw attention to the fact that sport is not accessible to all and called upon defining more integrated and more dynamic approach to improving the access to sport in the Council of Europe member states.

The agenda of today’s session also included the cooperation with the International Criminal Court. PACE adopted the Resolution 2134 (2016), inviting thus the Council of Europe member states, observing countries and partners for democracy to re-confirm their devotion to the International Criminal Court by signing and ratifying as soon as possible the Rome Statute, Kampala Amendments and the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court. In addition, the Assembly invited the member States to implement the Rome Statute and the relevant texts, to enact laws incorporating the provisions of these texts and to co-operate fully with the ICC.

Today, the Assembly was also addressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. Mr Çavuşoğlu pointed out to the important role that the Council of Europe and its recommendation has had with regard to Turkey’s progress in the last 15 years, adding that Turkey would continue with planned constitutional and institutional reforms. He is convinced that his country has proved its capability to implement reforms by, inter alia, establishing a number of mechanisms for the protection of human rights, strengthening efforts in fight against discrimination, ratifying Social Charter and signing a number of Council of Europe conventions aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law. Mr Çavuşoğlu also spoke about the situation in Turkey in the light of the attempted coup d'Etat, refugee and migrant crisis and fight against terrorism.

On day three of the session, political groups held its meetings as well as the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development and Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy.

Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be continued tomorrow by the discussion on the situation in Turkey in the light of the attempted coup d'Etat.

Member of Delegation Ms Snežana Jonica is participating in the PACE Autumn Session.