On that occasion, President Krivokapić said: “Venice has been the republic with the first Constitution ever since the twelfth century and for several centuries it has been spreading the strength of belief that nobody was the owner of the state and public affairs but a free man.

The wings of Venetian lion have risen Europe to the heights where it is now. The hearth of lion still beats, outside of impermanence, inside the Venice Commission.”

Speaking of democracy and law as inseparable phenomena that, throughout history, have been inevitably subjects of inspiration to many philosophers, President Krivokapić said that without democracy the citizens could not be guaranteed the rule of law, justice and economic progress. “Law cannot exist without democracy”, said Mr Krivokapić, referring to words of Mr Abraham Lincoln, who, explaining democracy, said: “The Government of the people, by the people, for the people”.

In context of cooperation of the OSCE PA with the Venice Commission, President Krivokapić expressed hope that in the upcoming period, the cooperation would be promoted, especially in part where the parliamentarians, together with the Venice Commission experts could work together to improve the legislative framework in those OSCE member states in the region where help is needed. He especially emphasised the Ukraine situation, pointing out the necessity but also concrete forms of cooperation of the two institutions in the field.

The Ceremonial 100^th Session of the Venice Commission, was also characterised by strong messages of President of the Venice Commission Mr Gianni Buquicchio, who pointed out that the existence of law implied existence of democracy, and democracy implied existence of efficient and effective judiciary.

With regard to Montenegro, President of the Venice Commission said that Montenegro was working on implementation of initiated reforms with which the Venice Commission helped, and in that context he thanked President Krivokapić and representatives of other institutions on their overall cooperation with the representatives of the Venice Commission. 

At the margins of the 100^th Session of the Venice Commission, President Krivokapić met with President of the Venice Commission Mr Gianni Buquicchio, and Director of Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Mr Michael Link with whom he exchanged opinions on the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine, which will be observed by the Parliamentary Assembly together with the ODIHR.