Strasbourg, 22 November 2018 CDL(2018)036* Engl. only
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION)
PRESIDENT’S ACTIVITIES
From 2nd October to 21st November 2018
*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(2018)039 - 2 -
02 October – Strasbourg - Courtesy and end of mission visit by Ambassador Santiago OÑATE LABORDE, Observer for Mexico to the Council of Europe.
04 October – Paris - Attending the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the French Constitution in the presence of Mr Emmanuel MACRON, President of the Republic.
05 October – Strasbourg - Exchange of views with Mr Mr Marian LUPU, Head of the Moldovan National Delegation to PACE on electoral issues and future cooperation.
08/09 October – Cairo - Opening and concluding speeches at the Second Conference of the Arab Union of Administrative Judiciary on “Voting in Elections and Referendums: Right and Duty”, co- organised by the Council of State of Egypt and the Venice Commission in the framework of the South III programme
- Bilateral meetings with Mr Ahmed Abdel AZIZ ABY EL AZM, President of the Egyptian Council of State on future cooperation with the Venice Commission.
- Press conference and television interviews.
11 October – Strasbourg - Meeting with Ms Arpine HOVHANNISYAN, Deputy Speaker of Armenia and Head of the Armenian Delegation to PACE, on the political and legal situation in the country.
16 October – Strasbourg - Speaking at the meeting of the External Relations Committee of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on “the Role of the Venice Commission in the Policy of the Council of Europe towards Neighbouring Regions”, questions and comments.
19 October – Venice - Bilateral meeting with Mr Ararat MIRZOYAN, First Deputy Minister of Armenia, on amendments to the electoral code.
24 October – Strasbourg - Meeting with Mr Owen BONNICI, Minister of Justice of Malta, accompanied by Ambassador Joseph FILLETTI, Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe, on the context of his request for a Venice Commission opinion.
25 October – Pristina - Attending the Solemn Ceremony of the 9th judicial year of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo and opening speech; with Ms Arta RAMA-HAJRIZI, President of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo and Mr Hashim THAÇI, President of Kosovo.
- Bilateral meetings with Mr Abelard TAHIRI, Minister of Justice and Mr Enver HOXHAJ, Deputy Prime Minister, on cooperation with the Venice Commission.
31 October - 1 November – Yerevan - Meeting with Mr Ararat MIRZOYAN, Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, on future electoral and constitutional reforms and political parties.
- Meeting with Mr Gagik HARUTYUNYAN, Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, on the situation of the judiciary in Armenia. - 3 - CDL(2018)039
- Meeting with Mr Artar ZEYNALYAN, Acting Minister of Justice, on future reform of the judiciary and cooperation with the Venice Commission.
- Meeting with Mr Nikol PASHINYAN, Acting Prime Minister, on the early elections in Armenia.
- Bilateral meetings with representatives of the Republican Party, “TSARUKYAN”, “ELQ” and DASHNAKTOSUTSIUN “ARF”.
- Attending the International Conference “the New Millennium Constitutionalism” co- organised by the Constitutional Court and the Centre of the Constitutional Culture of Armenia. Speaking at the opening session.
- Press Conference.
06 November – Dubrovnik - Speaking at the Parliamentary Conference on “Building Democratic Security in the Mediterranean: common challenges, shared responsibilities” organised by PACE, in the framework of the Croatian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
13/14 November – Tunis - Opening of the 6th Intercultural Workshop on Democracy “The Role and Place of Independent Bodies in a Democratic State”.
- Working meeting with the Legislation Committee of the People Representatives Assembly, on the draft law on political parties, the election of the members of the Constitutional Court and budgetary issues concerning the independent bodies.
- Meeting with Mr Khemaies JHINAOUI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, on the establishment of the Constitutional Court and accession to GRECO and to the Convention 108 + (Data Protection)
19 November – Strasbourg - Meeting with Ms Dolores DELGADO, Minister of Justice of Spain, accompanied by Ambassador Manuel MONTOBBIO, Permanent Representative of Spain to the Council of Europe, on legislative reforms in Spain.
- Courtesy meeting with Mr Yves LETERME, Secretary General of International IDEA on issues of common interest.
- Exchange of views with Mr Thomas E. GARRETT, Secretary General of the Community of Democracies , accompanied by Ms Patricia GALDAMEZ ARGUETA, Senior Adviser, on possible ways of cooperation with the Venice Commission.
20 November – Strasbourg - Courtesy visit to Ambassador Albana DAUTLLARI, Permanent Representative of Albania to the Council of Europe.
21 November – Strasbourg - Meeting with Mr Zohrab MNATSAKANYAN, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia on future constitutional and legislative reforms following the 9th December Parliamentary elections.