The ALDE group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is set for a busy session in Strasbourg, to be held from 27 to 31 January 2025. This week, PACE will discuss several interesting reports, including the need for a rules-based international order, age-based discrimination, election observation results from Georgia, the convention for the protection of the profession of lawyers, and addressing the risks to human rights and the rule of law posed by mercenaries and private military and security companies.
One of the highlights of our group’s agenda is the situation in Georgia. Ahead of the verification of credentials, ALDE-PACE will meet with a delegation of Georgian liberal forces, human rights defenders, and NGOs for an exchange of views.
This week, our members will also continue their efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian civilian hostages and prisoners of war held by Russia. A joint committee hearing will be organised, featuring contributions from ALDE rapporteurs Yevheniia Kravchuk and Eerik Kross.
We are also looking forward to an engaging meeting with Xavier Bettel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg and the rotating chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe since November 2024. We are honoured to meet with this leading liberal politician to discuss the role of the Council of Europe.