"This May we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and I think it is important to recognise how far we have come. No other continent has ever put in place a common legal area, protecting, and promoting common standards in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Doing so has transformed the lives of millions of Europeans, and for the better. This is something to celebrate", underscored Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in her speech at the PACE Winter plenary session.
The Secretary General summarised last year's achievements reiterating the relevance of the follow-up to the Fourth Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik.
"But there can be no doubt that the standards we have set are being attacked and undermined. They must be defended robustly and effectively. The new challenges of the 21st century must be held to those same standards for the sake of every citizen. The Reykjavík Declaration has given us new hope and a renewed determination", emphasised the Secretary General. A lively Q & A session followed the speech.
Speech by the Secretary General
