The summer session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) will take place in Strasbourg from 22 to 26 June. The election of a new Secretary General is expected to be one of the most debated topics. Another highlight on the agenda will be a discussion on the situation in Belarus and a decision on whether to give Belarusian so called special guest status or not. (Belarus and Kosovo are the only countries in Europe that are not members of the Council of Europe.) PACE political committee has recently taken a decision on the subject. Armenia’s compliance with its commitments regarding the functioning of democratic institutions is also on the agenda. Addresses to the Assembly will be made by i.a. the President of Ireland, Ms Mary McAleese, and by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Mr Samuel Zbogar. Slovenia has the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers from May to November 2009.
The PACE agenda is available on the web site of the Council of Europe.