First ordinary annual session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ended today, with a debate on “new generation trade agreements” and their influence on social rights, public health, sustainable development, and promoting the inclusion of Roma.

The Assembly adopted multiple resolutions and recommendations with regard to the issues on the agenda of this Session, whereby a special attention was drawn by those relating to freedom of media in Europe, online media and journalism, and preventing online hate speech. The Session was also marked by discussions on the functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine, humanitarian situation in Gaza, situation in Lebanon and Syria, social inequality, need for reforming European social policy, as well as progress of states involved in monitoring procedure of the Assembly since September 2015.

In the context of the Cypriot Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers Mr Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus, addressed MPs. Mr Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania, and Mr Johanes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, were guests of the Assembly as well. Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the Cypriot Foreign Minister, briefed on the developments since the previous PACE Session, particularly pointing out to the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency relating to strengthening democratic security in Europe.

Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, devoted his regular address to the rise of populism in Europe and threats of this phenomenon. Mr Jagland spoke about the situation in Turkey, migration and strengthening fight against terrorism. He also answered to numerous questions of MPs.

The Parliamentary Assembly, elected at its session, judges to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Hungary and the Netherlands.

In addition to the plenary session, members of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro took part in meeting of political groups of the Parliamentary Assembly and meetings of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy and Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media.

Head of the Delegation Mr Predrag Sekulić and Head of Mission of Montenegro to the Council of Europe Ambassador Ms Bozidarka Krunić had a working meeting with Mr Pedro Agramunt, President of PACE. They spoke about activities of the Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to PACE and future visit of Mr Agramunt to Montenegro.