At the top of this session’s agenda is the migration crisis in Europe. Among those due to speak at the assembly are Jean Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, and Ahmet Davutoglu, the Prime Minister of Turkey. Other important topics for debate will be a stronger and better European response to the Syrian refugee crisis, and the human rights of refugees and migrants in the Western Balkans.

Two other items that are to be considered and debated are measures to improve women’s political representation and further initiatives to combat antisemitism in Europe. The fight against terrorism, in particular efforts to prevent the radicalisation of children, is also on the agenda.

In addition, requests for debate have been submitted on the escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, while the plight of Nadiya Savchenko, a Ukrainian MP and member of PACE who is currently imprisoned in Russia, will be considered.

Information about the session's programme

The Storting’s Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be represented by the following members: Ingjerd Schou (Head of Delegation, Conservative Party), Lise Christoffersen (Deputy Head of Delegation, Labour Party), Frank J. Jenssen (Conservative Party), Morten Wold (Progress Party), Snorre S. Valen (Socialist Left Party), Kristin Ørmen Johnsen (Conservative Party), Ingebjørg A. Godskesen (Progress Party) and Hans Fredrik Grøvan (Christian Democratic Party).

The Council of Europe and PACE

The Council of Europe was established in 1949 and comprises 47 member. Its principal aim is to work towards strengthening human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in its member states.

The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) brings together parliamentarians from the member states’ national assemblies; in total 324 members (and 324 substitute members). PACE works in an advisory capacity and plays an important role in the Council of Europe. It adopts resolutions and recommendations for its member states’ parliaments and governments in a wide range of fields, and also monitors new member states’ compliance with their membership commitments.