A joint urgent debate (*) on the political consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics, will be a highlight of the Summer plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg from 19-23 June 2023. An urgent debate on ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor has also been requested.
There will be addresses by the President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar and by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, will present its communication to the Assembly and take questions from members, while Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will hold her usual question time.
The Assembly will also hold a joint debate on the topic of migration, discussing three reports on the integration of migrants and refugees; the social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport; and the health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation.
Other topics on the agenda include addressing the specific challenges faced by Belarusians in exile (with the participation of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarus democratic opposition); the reform of human rights legislation in the United Kingdom; and transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights. There will also be debates on the need for a holistic approach to health care during public health emergencies, and on closing the digital divide.
(*) The Assembly will adopt its final order of business at the opening of the plenary session.
