14-18 April 2008)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

14-18 April 2008) Press Release Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit Ref: 229a08 Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93 Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34 [email protected] internet: www.coe.int/press 47 members Ivan Gašparovic, Angela Merkel and Yulia Tymoshenko to Albania Andorra address PACE spring session Armenia Austria Strasbourg, 02.04.2008 – Slovak President Ivan Gašparovic, German Azerbaijan Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Belgium French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner are among the leading personalities Bosnia and Herzegovina to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) during Bulgaria its spring session in Strasbourg (14-18 April 2008). Croatia Cyprus An urgent debate has been requested on the functioning of democratic Czech Republic institutions in Armenia, and a current affairs debate on the situation in the Denmark Estonia Middle East. Finland France Topics to be debated include access to safe and legal abortion in Europe, Georgia Muslim communities confronted with extremism, child and teenage suicide in Germany Greece Europe, and the teaching of European literature, with an intervention by French- Hungary Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf. Iceland Ireland Slovak Foreign Minister Ján Kubiš will present the traditional communication Italy from the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe’s executive body, and Latvia Liechtenstein answer parliamentarians’ questions. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Lithuania Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will also present his annual activity Luxembourg report. Malta Moldova Monaco On the fringe of the session, the Political Affairs Committee will hold a public Montenegro hearing on “The situation in China on the eve of the Olympic Games” (Thursday Netherlands 17 April at 8.30 am), to be attended by a representative of the Dalai Lama and Norway human rights organisations working in China. The Chinese authorities have Poland Portugal also been invited. Romania Russia The Assembly will finalise its agenda only at the opening of the session. San Marino ./.. Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national parliaments of the 47 member states. President: Lluís Maria de Puig (Spain, SOC) ; Secretary General of the Assembly: Mateo Sorinas. Political Groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People's Party); SOC (Socialist Group); EDG (European Democratic Group); ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the Unified European Left). Draft agenda Monday 14 April (opening at 11.30 a.m.) < Opening of the second part of the 2008 Ordinary Session Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and the Standing Committee, including the observation of elections in Serbia, Monaco, Armenia, Russia and Montenegro Address by Ivan Gašparovič, President of Slovakia Tuesday 15 April Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights European Muslim communities confronted with extremism Address by Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany Communication from the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary Assembly presented by Ján Kubiš, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers Annual activity report 2007 by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, and statement by Thomas Hammarberg Abuse of the criminal justice system in Belarus Wednesday 16 April Possible second round of the election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights Access to safe and legal abortion in Europe Address by Yulia Tymoshenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine Possible current affairs debate Child and teenage suicide in Europe: a serious public health issue The accession of the European Union/European Community to the European Convention on Human Rights Thursday 17 April Possible urgent debate Address by Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of France Promoting the teaching of European literature and statement by Amin Maalouf, writer The situation of national minorities in Vojvodina and of the Romanian ethnic minority in Serbia Friday 18 April Immigration from sub-Saharan Africa Sustainable development and tourism: towards quality growth Practical information Press conferences: PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig will give a press conference on Monday 14 April at 10 a.m. in Room 1. Other press conferences will be announced on the spot. Further details: See the Assembly's website, http://assembly.coe.int. Additional information may also be found on the Council of Europe web portal, http://www.coe.int/PAsession. For TV planning Units: Videos in broadcast quality summing up PACE highlights can be downloaded for free at http://dl.coe.int around two hours after the event. Contact: PACE Communication Unit: tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93; [email protected] For accreditation: Directorate of Communication: Danielle Schreiber-Somoza, [email protected], tel. +33 3 88 41 25 44. .
Recommended publications
  • 2009: First Internet Election Year in Slovakia Case Study of Presidential, European and Regional Elections
    2009: First Internet Election Year in Slovakia Case study of Presidential, European and Regional Elections Branislav Ondrášik Faculty of Media Bratislava School of Law ABSTRACT With the rising professionalization in Slovak election campaigning the Internet (as Web 1.0), user-generated content, and Web 2.0 social networking play ever-increasing roles. The rising relevance of this multimedium as a campaign and news tool is closely connected to the rising penetration of the Internet. By 2005 11,5 percent of Slovak households were connected to the Internet while in 2007 the number jumped to 34,5 percent and in early 2008 it was reaching almost 60 percent. In 2009, three elections have taken place in Slovakia. First in March and April there were two rounds of presidential elections. It was the first Election campaign in the history of the country where Web has played a major role. All major presidential hopefuls discovered that Internet is a useful tool. Not limited to regular Web, social networking and the blogosphere were also important. For example: opposition candidate Iveta Radičová had more than 17.000 Facebook supporters. The web was a major campaign medium two months later – during the European Election Campaign. This part of the paper is expected to be the most explanatory. All the major parties have created special websites, as did many MEP candidates. However Web 2.0 was lesser factor than in the presidential election. CENMEP project data will be used for the analysis of European Election in Slovakia and will be empirically rich in its analysis. Regional Elections took place in Slovakia in November and Web campaigning started as early as September.
    [Show full text]
  • Select Briefing Europe East
    SELECT BRIEFING EUROPE EAST CSIS East Europe Project Volume 2 ¦ Number 17 ¦ May 6, 2005 Central European Update Czech Republic with members of the European caust memorial ceremony at the tive message to Ukrainian policy- The newly appointed prime minister, Parliament over the issue. The former Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi makers and society, going beyond Jiri Paroubek, has asked for a con- government will debate the consti- death camp. Some 20,000 people the original goal of privileged part- fidence vote for his government to tution this month and discuss how marched at the ceremony, known nership.” be held on 13 May. A deal has been to ratify it. as the March of the Living, which ¯ ¯ ¯ reached within the ruling coalition to commemorates the victims of the Eliminating compulsory medical Poland allow the Social Democrats to Holocaust during World War II. examinations will be an important Polish President Aleksander Sharon flew to Poland with 20 planned change in the law, which choose who will fill the post of dep- Kwasniewski has decided to attend uty foreign minister, thus gaining the Holocaust survivors who emigrated sets regulations for foreign citizens the 9 May celebrations in Moscow, to Israel, and with another 20 of wishing to obtain a visa to Hun- support of all 70 Social Democrat after the Sejm Committee on For- MPs in the upcoming confidence their grandchildren who are serving gary. The amendment is expected eign Affairs rejected a draft resolu- in the Israeli army. Following the to decrease the processing time for vote. tion calling on the president not to ¯ ¯ ¯ ceremony, Sharon held talks with visa applications.
    [Show full text]
  • Minimum Wages in 2021: Annual Review
    RESEARCH REPORT Industrial relations and social dialogue Minimum wages in 2021: Annual review Minimum wages in 2021: Annual review European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions When citing this report, please use the following wording: Eurofound (2021), Minimum wages in 2021: Annual review, Minimum wages in the EU series, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. Authors: Christine Aumayr-Pintar and Carlos Vacas Soriano Research manager: Christine Aumayr-Pintar Eurofound project: Minimum wages – Annual review (210204) Peer reviewers: Barbara Gerstenberger and Maria Jepsen (Eurofound) Contributor: Aoife Doyle Provider: Network of Eurofound Correspondents (see Annex, p. 66, for list of correspondents) Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union Print: ISBN 978-92-897-2171-4 ISSN 2599-9303 doi:10.2806/178045 TJ-AS-21-001-EN-C PDF: ISBN 978-92-897-2172-1 ISSN 2599-9311 doi:10.2806/47491 TJ-AS-21-001-EN-N This report and any associated materials are available online at http://eurofound.link/ef21015 It is part of Eurofound's Minimum wages in the EU series. See the full series at http://eurofound.link/efs027 © European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 2021 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the Eurofound copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. Cover image: © JackF/Adobe Stock Photos Any queries on copyright must be addressed in writing to: [email protected] Research carried out prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union on 31 January 2020, and published subsequently, may include data relating to the 28 EU Member States.
    [Show full text]
  • PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION in SLOVAKIA 30Th March 2019
    PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN SLOVAKIA 30th March 2019 European Zuzana Caputova becomes the first Elections monitor woman to be president of the Republic Corinne Deloy of Slovakia Results As expected, Zuzana Caputova (Progressive Slovakia, PS) was elected President of Slovakia 2nd round on 30th March. The accession of a woman to this post is a first in the country’s history. The candidate won 58.4% of the vote and therefore won easily against her rival, Vice- President of the Commission, responsible for Energy, Maros Sefcovic, who was supported by the party in office Direction-Social Democracy (SMER-SD), who won 41.6% of the vote. During the first round of the election organised on 16th March last Zuzana Caputova had already taken an comfortable lead over her adversary winning 40.57% of the vote (Maros Sefcovic won 18.66%). Turnout rose to 41.79% and was well below that registered in the second round of the previous election on 29th March 2014 (- 8.69 points). Results of the Presidential election on 16th and 30th March 2019 in Slovakia Turn out: 48.74% (1st round) and 41.79% (2nd round) No of votes won % of votes won No of votes won No of votes won Candidates (1st round) (1st round) (2nd round) (2nd round) Zuzana Caputova (Progressive Slovakia, PS) 870 415 40.57 1 056 582 58.40 Maros Sefcovic 400 379 18.66 752 403 41.60 Stefan Harabin 307 823 14.34 Marian Kotleba (Kotleba-People’s Party-New 222 935 10.39 Slovakia, L’SNS) Frantisek Miklosko, independent 122 916 5.72 Bela Bugar (Most-Hid) 66 667 3.10 Milan Krajniak (We are a family, AME R) 59
    [Show full text]
  • Slovak Republic Page 1 of 14
    Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in the Slovak Republic Page 1 of 14 Slovak Republic Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 The Slovak Republic, with a population of approximately 5.4 million, is a multiparty parliamentary democracy led by a prime minister and a 150 member Narodna Rada (National Council). The head of government, Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Smer (Direction-Social Democracy) Party, was elected for a four year term in June. President Ivan Gasparovic serves as head of state and was elected for a five year term in 2004. Both elections were free and fair. Six political parties, three of which comprise the governing coalition, sit in the National Council. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces. The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. Notable human rights problems included lengthy pretrial detention; restrictions on freedom of religion; corruption in the judiciary, local government, and the health sector; violence against women and children; trafficking in persons; and societal discrimination and violence against Roma. The overall human rights situation did not significantly change during the year; however, a report was released that noted mistreatment of persons, particularly Roma, by police that occurred in recent years. RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings.
    [Show full text]
  • Calendrier Du 24 Juin Au 30 Juin 2019 Brussels, 21 June 2019 (Susceptible De Modifications En Cours De Semaine) Déplacements Et Visites
    European Commission - Weekly activities Calendrier du 24 juin au 30 juin 2019 Brussels, 21 June 2019 (Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine) Déplacements et visites Lundi 24 juin 2019 President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Jacques Santer, Mr Romano Prodi, Mr José Manuel Barroso and Mr Pascal Lamy for an informal lunch; and hosts the presentation of the book « La commission européenne 1986 – 2000: Histoire et mémoires d'une institution », in the presence of former Members of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, Mr Romano Prodi, Mr Jacques Santer and Mr Pascal Lamy. Mr Maroš Šefčovič gives a keynote speech at the New Energy Outlook 2019 Brussels launch, in Brussels. Mr Günther H. Oettinger in Berlin, Germany: meets Ms Angela Merkel, German Chancellor. Mr Johannes Hahn in Amman,Jordan: meets key political country's authorities; visits EU-funded projects; and signs an EU-Jordan financial agreement to support job creation and sustainable growth. Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Berlin, Germany: meets Mr Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany; and meets Ms Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Environment of Germany. Mr Karmenu Vella in Budapest, Hungary:attends the Virtuous Circle Tour in Hungary. Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Berlin, Germany :Participates in the ‘eCommerce of Food: International Conference on Trends and Official Control'. M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France : rencontre M. Philippe Herzog, Fondateur de Confrontations Europe et Directeur de la Revue la Lettre de Confrontations Europe. Mr Phil Hogan meets MsBridget McKenzie, Agriculture Minister for Australia, in Brussels. Ms Vĕra Jourová in Prosek, Czech Republic: visits the Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital and Mental Health Centre.
    [Show full text]
  • Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V a a D E VOLUME 20 NO 6 FEB 3 - 9, 2010
    Estonian Review E E S T I R I N G V A A D E VOLUME 20 NO 6 FEB 3 - 9, 2010 FOREIGN NEWS FOREIGN NEWS Estonia Sending Medical Worker and Mechanic to Support Efforts in Haiti 6 February - Due to the complicated humanitarian situation there, Estonia will soon be sending a medical worker and a mechanic to support the work of rescue teams in Haiti. According to Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, the mission of the medical worker and mechanic will last until the end of April. “The mission of the Estonian logistics experts currently in Haiti will last until the middle of February,” said Paet. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that the humanitarian situation in Haiti Foreign Minister Urmas Paet with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael remains complicated. “In order Spindelegger in Vienna, 8 February. for the aid that has been donated Austria Supports Estonia as Location for EU IT Agency and that will be donated to reach those in need, the international 8 February - In Vienna today Foreign Minister Urmas Paet discussed community must have close co- Estonia’s candidacy to become the location for the European Union operation. Helping to co-ordinate IT agency for justice and home affairs and accession to the euro aid is the goal of the Estonian zone with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger. Austrian logistics experts in Haiti,” Foreign Minister Spindelegger expressed his support for Estonia as the stressed Paet. “At the same time, potential location for the IT agency. we must make plans for the “Taking into consideration Estonia’s highly developed IT sector, we reconstruction and restoration of believe that Estonia possesses all the qualifications to be a good location for Haiti as well,” he added.
    [Show full text]
  • Information Campaign for the 2014 Elections to the European Parliament in Slovakia
    INFORMATION CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2014 ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN SLOVAKIA 16 September 2013 - 25 May 2014 Presidential Debate (p5;25) Mr. Schulz visit (p2;22) Election Night (p3;27) European Parliament Information Office in Slovakia started the official information campaign for the 2014 Elections to the European Parliament in Slovakia in September 2013. Since then, almost 60 events, discussion forums, outdoor activities and dialogues took place in more than 20 towns and cities across the Slovak Republic. In addition, 6 nationwide competitions focusing on the European Elections were initiated. The most significant and interesting moments of our information campaign were definitely the visit of the EP President Martin Schulz in the Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the EU membership in Bratislava on 30 April 2014, Election Night dedicated to the official announcement of the results of the 2014 Elections to the European Parliament in Slovakia on 25 May 2014 in the EPIO´s office in Bratislava, four outdoor events dedicated to the Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Slovak membership in the EU accompanied by the information campaign to the EE2014 taking place from April to May in four largest Slovak towns (Bratislava, Košice, Banská Bystrica and Žilina) and the watching of live stream of the Presidential Debate accompanied by analytical discussions on 15 May 2014. These activities caught the attention of hundreds of Slovaks who directly participated in them and other thousands of citizens who expressed their interest for our activities through social media. CONTENT I. Most significant moments of the EE2014 Information Campaign in Slovakia.............................
    [Show full text]
  • HISTORY of SLOVAKIA Small State with Rich History Samova Ríša- Samo‘S Empire
    HISTORY OF SLOVAKIA Small state with rich history Samova ríša- Samo‘s empire • Ancestors of Slovaks were Slavs. Their homeland was between the rivers Visla and Dneper, north of the mountains Karpaty. In 5th and 6th century they moved to another place. Some of them stayed on our territory.They nurtured the peasantry, beekeeping, handicrafts. • In 6th century Avars (nomadic tribes from Asia) came and they settled on the territory of today's Hungary. From there, they were attacking the neighbouring Slavonic nations. Slavs united in the 7th century to defend themselves against aggressive Avars. - in the fight Frankish merchant Samo helped them and with his help they won - Slavonic tribes created a tribal union- Samo‘s empire - it existed in years 623-658 Veľká Morava-Great Moravia • NITRA PRINCIPALITY - Slavs slowly started to build strong forts (Bojná, Pobedim) - the most important fort was in Nitra, it was the seat of the prince - first known prince was Pribina - in the west, there was Moravian principality, with the seat in Mikulčice, prince Mojmír ruled there - year 833- Mojmír I. expelled Pribina and occupied Nitra principality - by the combination of the two principalities Great Moravia originated • GREAT MORAVIA - GM resulted in conflicts with the Frankish Empire, Franks wanted to control GM - Mojmír I. didn‘t want to subordinate to Franks, so they deprived him of power and he was replaced by Rastislav. He invited Thessalonian brothers- Konštantín and Metod - Svätopluk betrayed Rastislav and issued him to Franks - when Svätopluk died,
    [Show full text]
  • A Festival of Populism Slovakia After Its 2004 Presidential Election
    Introduction Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs A Festival of Populism Slovakia after Its 2004 Presidential Election Kai-Olaf Lang SWP Comments Ivan Gasparovic, the controversial former president of parliament, has won the presi- dential election in Slovakia. In the final runoff ballot on 17 April 2004, he defeated his former political associate and former prime minister, Vladimir Meciar. Both of these politicians had been largely responsible for Slovakia’s international detachment during the 1990s. As Gasparovic is being supported by the most dynamic opposition power of the populist party Smer (“Direction”), the result of the election is a warning signal for Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda’s moderate-right coalition. A new axis in Slovak politics is looming on the horizon. In addition, this election is a forewarning to the newly extended European Union (EU). The outcome of the election has shown that some populist groups and politicians have joined the EU thinking that they are capable of winning elections. The EU must decide how to deal with these members if radical, populist, and Euroskeptical parties come into power. In previous years Slovakia gained a positive 2. Ivan Gasparovic quite unexpectedly image because of its determined zeal in re- finished in second place and therefore forming economic policies. But this image qualified for the final ballot. is subject to interference by the new head 3. Eduard Kukan, who had been supported of state, who in the past has tended to be by his own and Prime Minister Dzu- a confrontational, populist politician. rinda’s party, the Slovak Democratic Further eroding this image are continuing and Christian Union (SDKU), as well as unsolved social problems and numerous the liberal governing party, the Alliance scandals within the governing coalition.
    [Show full text]
  • Slovakia Draft Opinion on Questions
    Strasbourg, 24 February 2017 CDL(2017)004* Opinion No. 877 / 2017 Or. Engl. EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) SLOVAKIA DRAFT OPINION ON QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT on the basis of comments by Mr Richard Clayton (Member, United Kingdom) Mr Michael Frendo (Member, Malta) Mr Christoph Grabenwarter (Member, Austria) Mr Ben Vermeulen (Member, Netherlands) *This document has been classified restricted on the date of issue. Unless the Venice Commission decides otherwise, it will be declassified a year after its issue according to the rules set up in Resolution CM/Res(2001)6 on access to Council of Europe documents. This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. www.venice.coe.int CDL(2017)004 - 2 - Table of Contents I. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 II. The request ................................................................................................................... 3 III. Relevant constitutional provisions ................................................................................. 4 IV. Framework for the appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court and factual situation ................................................................................................................................ 5 A. Chronology ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Slovakia Political Briefing: the Review of Slovak Political Development in 2019 Peter Csanyi
    ISSN: 2560-1601 Vol. 24, No. 1 (SK) Dec 2019 Slovakia political briefing: The review of Slovak political development in 2019 Peter Csanyi 1052 Budapest Petőfi Sándor utca 11. +36 1 5858 690 Kiadó: Kína-KKE Intézet Nonprofit Kft. [email protected] Szerkesztésért felelős személy: Chen Xin Kiadásért felelős személy: Huang Ping china-cee.eu 2017/01 The review of Slovak political development in 2019 This current government’s term was marred by corruption and by the brutal murder of the investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, after he started digging into alleged links between the office of the then Prime Minister, Robert Fico, and the Italian mafia. The murder caused a huge outcry from the public, who demanded a thorough investigation and staged the largest protests since the Velvet Revolution. The public called for anti-corruption measures and posed questions about the country’s state of democracy. This ultimately resulted in the resignation of Fico, who was replaced by Peter Pellegrini. Multiple ministers also stepped down. However, with Fico still heading SMER-SD, he maintained scope to influence Pellegrini and set the direction of the government. The protests has also continued in 2019. The murder accelerated the decline of SMER-SD and bolstered the opposition. The presidential elections were seen as a crossroads: sticking with the old establishment in the form of SMER- SD-supported EC Vice-President for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič; or a desire for change embodied in the political novice Zuzana Čaputová from the relatively new social liberal Progressive Slovakia (PS) party. Besides, Slovakia has faced another problems during this year, what began with the chaos regarding the election of Constitutional Court judges and continued with another affairs of the Slovak coalition government - the Threema messages.
    [Show full text]