The need to find common ground and advance co-operation based on shared values and agreed equal standards was the focus of meetings yesterday in Moscow between Rik Daems, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko.
Discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister included the importance of co-operation to advance the socio-economic agenda and address global challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Developments in the member States of the Council of Europe and topical issues on the agenda of the Parliamentary Assembly were also discussed.
The President stressed in particular the need to ensure respect for Council of Europe standards in Crimea and to address the humanitarian consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Talks with the Justice Minister focused on the importance of the execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, the foreign agents law, and the supremacy of the European Convention system over national legislation, as well as violence against women and domestic violence.
The President welcomed the readiness of the Russian authorities to co-operate with PACE Rapporteurs on all reports, and engage in dialogue with civil society representatives to look into the issues of concern regarding the application of the foreign agents law. He encouraged continued exchange with Council of Europe experts on constitutional reform, including on the occasion of the forthcoming St Petersburg International Legal Forum.
The President stated that multilateralism remains the most effective way to face challenges and make progress together.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
