Addresses by Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan are among highlights of the winter plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. German Justice Minister Stephanie Hubig is also due to speak in a possible current affairs debate on “Safeguarding the system of international justice”. The Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, will hold a question-and-answer session with parliamentarians.
Priority debates on international affairs
In a reflection of the current geopolitical situation – and underscoring the global outlook of the Council of Europe – five urgent debates have been requested on: "Threats against the international order: the case of Greenland"; "Actions by the US Administration against Venezuela and threats against other Latin American countries and against Greenland / Denmark"; “Preserving the integrity of the European Convention on Human Rights system”; “Ensuring accountability, humanitarian protection and respect for international law in Gaza and the West Bank after the ceasefire”; and on the “65th anniversary of the European Social Charter”.
A ceremony will be held to mark the International Day of commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
Wide-ranging discussions of concern to Europeans
Other debates are planned on the commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and the security of the European continent; on the need for a ban on conversion practices aimed at changing, repressing, or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; and on elections in times of crisis. The Parliamentary Assembly is also due to adopt its opinion on a new protocol to the Convention on human rights and biomedicine concerning the involuntary placement and treatment of persons in mental health care.
On the agenda are debates on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Bosnia and Herzegovina, on post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia, on developments in the Parliamentary Assembly's monitoring procedure, and on the observation of the early parliamentary elections in the Kyrgyz Republic. Lastly, parliamentarians will discuss strengthening democracies with young people, socialising at schools, and inclusive and participatory education.
The Parliamentary Assembly will also hold a farewell ceremony for its outgoing President and will elect its new President. Mihai Popşoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, will also present the traditional communication from the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers and answer questions from parliamentarians.
The session will take place in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 January 2026. The Parliamentary Assembly adopts its final agenda on the first day of the session.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Moldovan Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
Impact of the European Convention on Human Rights
