“As we continue to celebrate the Council of Europe’s 75th anniversary, I believe that the importance of its future success is understood by our member states and that despite all the complications there is an opportunity to build on this Organisation’s extraordinary legacy with a new layer of success. I hope that each of you will play your part in making that happen and, from not so far away, I will be looking on and wishing you well”, emphasised Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić while addressing the PACE Summer plenary session for the last time in this capacity.
Marija Pejčinović Burić underlined the priorities of her mandate taking stock of the Fourth Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik and of the overall work done in support of Ukraine. The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law and the concrete instruments developed to strengthen the work on human rights and environment have been mentioned.
“New challenges will also emerge and require attention as they always do. In this way, the Council of Europe can play a pivotal role in reversing the democratic backsliding that weighs on our Continent today. And help forge a future in which our common standards in human rights, democracy the rule of law stand firm and strong”, stated the Secretary General.