Both speakers were expected to raise the issue of the record number of refugees resulting from the many humanitarian catastrophes that the world is currently facing. This will also be the subject of a separate debate at the end of the week, one that aims to discuss how Europe as a whole can best address the challenges presented by migration.

“Such challenges as those brought about by the wave of migration to Europe affect us all and can only be resolved by a joint European effort. As such, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly is an extremely valuable arena for open and constructive dialogue on a common response and specific measures,” says Ingjerd Schou, Head of Delegation.

There are several other items on the agenda that have recently been in the Norwegian public debate. These include consideration of the previously ratified credentials of the Russian delegation, the functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan, and the situation in Hungary.

Other topics of discussion are improving the protection of whistle-blowers; missing persons in Ukraine; the need for greater transparency in media ownership; and media responsibility and ethics in a changing media environment. The Assembly will also mark the 60^th anniversary of the Europe Prize. This year’s prize was awarded to Vara in Sweden and Dresden in Germany.

Read the Summer Session's programme

The Storting’s Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is headed by Ingjerd Schou (Conservative Party), and also comprises the following members: Lise Christoffersen (Deputy Head of Delegation, Labour Party), Frank J. Jenssen (Conservative Party), Morten Wold (Progress Party), Hans Fredrik Grøvan (Christian Democratic Party), Tore Hagebakken (Labour PArty), Kristin Ørmen Johnsen (Conservative Party) and Kåre Simensen (Labour Party).

The Council of Europe and PACE

The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 and presently has 47 member states. Its primary objective is to work towards strengthening human rights, democracy and the rule of law in its member states.

The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) brings together 318 representatives (with a corresponding 318 substitute members) from the member states’ parliaments. PACE serves in an advisory capacity and plays an important role in the Council of Europe. It adopts resolutions and makes recommendations to the member states’ parliaments and governments in a high number of different fields. It also monitors how the new member states comply with their membership commitments.