Parliamentary Assembly session : 25 September – 2 October 2003

Video resources online				Assembly website
This file is also available in French, German, Italian and Russian
Draft Order of Business Press releases Press conferences Working documents Adopted Texts		Verbatim Reports Report summaries Committees and political groups meetings Composition of the committees Exhibitions during the session		Photo galleries - Debates - Visit of Adrian Nastase - Visit of Peter Medgyessy - Joint meeting EU-PA - Exhibitions
Assembly wants the UN to take the leading role in the post-war management of Iraq
	Iraq’s stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be achieved through a democratic process and the United Nations should take the leading role in this endeavour, the Assembly said. This would mark a shift from the unilateral approach which has so far dominated the post-war management of Iraq, the parliamentarians said. (more…) Tana de Zulueta: Seek a multilateral solution for postwar Iraq			Video of the debate Adopted Resolution Adopted Recommendation Report File ‘’Situation in Iraq’’
Assembly encourages use of adult - rather than embryo - stem cells for medical research
	The Assembly encouraged research in the field of adult stem cells, and called for scientific techniques that “are not socially or ethically divisive”. In countries where it is allowed, research on stem cells involving the destruction of human embryos should be authorised and monitored by national authorities, the parliamentarians said. (more…) Photo AFP			Adopted Resolution
Peter Medgyessy: the Council of Europe is the living conscience of all Europe
	The Hungarian Prime Minister recalled that Europe is not just a continent but also a spiritual entity. ''Your organisation is a faithful reflection of this spirit, and is making a major contribution to our common future,'' he said to the parliamentarians, stressing in particular the utmost importance of the Council of Europe’s activities aimed at protecting minorities. (more…)			Video of the speech Speech Photo gallery
Vladimir Voronin says Council of Europe experience will help Moldova to join EU
	President Vladimir Voronin told the Parliamentary Assembly that the Council of Europe's active involvement in his country had helped it to settle a number of difficult problems and that the introduction of European standards has had a very positive effect on the country's political process. (more…)			Photos gallery Speech Verbatim of the debate
Adrian Nastase: The Council of Europe is Romania’s long-standing travel companion
	The 45-member Council of Europe has been a key partner along the road to institutional reform begun in 1990, enabling Romania to make the move from a transition state to an established democracy, said the Romanian Prime Minister in his speech, which he described as ''a conclave that embodies the very essence of the European spirit''. (more...)			Video of the speech Video of the press conference Photos gallery Speech
European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly call for ''one Europe of values''
	The European Union and the Council of Europe have a common responsibility to ensure uniform respect for the fundamental values of our societies in all European countries. This is the key message of the second joint meeting between the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly, which took place in Strasbourg. (more ...)			Programme Photo Gallery File ''Council of Europe and EU'' Speech by Pat Cox Speech by Peter Schieder
The other points of the session
02.10.2003 Peter Medgyessy’s visit featured a recital by the Hungarian Parliament Choir According to Wolfgang Wodarg, human dignity is infringed if an embryo is killed 01.10.2003 Donald Johnston: ''Sustainable development is a priority for OECD'' Frozen” conflicts and trafficking in human beings: two priorities for the Chair of the Committee of Ministers Assembly calls for more dialogue with US and Japan over death penalty Moving towards gender-balanced representation Reform of health care systems in Europe: greater priority to primary care 30.09.2003 Environment Committee concerned by Russia's change of attitude over Kyoto Protocol Impact of the “Mexico City Policy” on the free choice of contraception in Europe Future relations between EU and Council of Europe are of primary importance for our organisation says Walter Schwimmer Widespread concern with the human rights situation in Kosovo Assembly calls for policies to help migrants and asylum-seekers 29.09.2003 Press conference of Peter Schieder Assembly presses for greater protection for minorities Parliamentarians call for extremist parties to be banned Assembly Bureau decides against sending observers to Chechnya Assembly will pursue monitoring procedure in respect of Ukraine
Interviews
Wolfgang Wodarg, Rapporteur of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education : “human dignity is infringed if an embryo is killed” Toru Unno, Senator of the House of Councillors: Japan is ready for a debate on the death penalty Hanne Severinsen, Rapporteur of the Monitoring Committee for Ukraine: “Ukraine has not yet honoured all of its commitments” Mirjana Feric-Vac, Rapporteur of the Political Affairs Committee : “Education and sanctions to deal with extremist parties” Ans Zwerver, Dutch member of parliament and member of the Parliamentary Assembly's Committee: “local voting rights for all foreign residents”
Background information
The Council of Europe in brief Theme files Council of Europe and EU Combating racism Health policy Bioethics Death penalty The Council of Europe and… Belgium			Bosnia and Herzegovina Hungary Japan Moldova Romania the Slovak Republic Ukraine the United States of America
Speeches
Peter Medgyessy, Prime Minister of Hungary [02.10.2003] Donald Johnston, Secretary General of the OECD [01.10.2003] Nicolae Dudău, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova and Committee of Ministers' Chairman [01.10.2003] Vladimir Voronin, President of the Republic of Moldova [01.10.2003] Adrian Nastase, Prime Minister of Romania [30.09.2003] Peter Schieder, Parliamentary Assembly President [25.09.2003] Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament [25.09.2003]
Biographies
Peter Schieder, Parliamentary Assembly President Walter Schwimmer, Council of Europe Secretary General Nicolae Dudău, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova and Committee of Ministers' Chairman Adrian Nastase, Prime Minister of Romania Vladimir Voronin, President of the Republic of Moldova Donald Johnston, Secretary General of the OECD Peter Medgyessy, Prime Minister of Hungary