President of the Swiss Confederation addresses autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

One of the highlights of the fourth part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in 2022 from Switzerland's point of view will be the first address to PACE by a Swiss president in 31 years. The visit comes at a crucial time, as the Council of Europe is facing major challenges following the military aggression by Russia against Ukraine and Russia's departure from the organisation. At the same time, the Council of Europe is about to decide on holding a fourth summit of heads of state and government of member states, the aim of which will be to strengthen the institution's key role in defending human rights, democracy and the rule of law on the continent.

Mr Cassis will meet with PACE President Tiny Kox, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, and the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Róbert Ragnar Spanó. Mr Cassis will also meet with members of the Swiss Delegation to PACE, led by its Chair, National Council member Damien Cottier (FDP/NE), and answer questions from Council of Europe parliamentarians. The speech to the plenary assembly can be followed live via this link from 3pm.

PACE will address a range of issues during this session, including illegal migration management measures linked to pushbacks by land and sea, by examining a report by National Council member Pierre-Alain Fridez (SP/JU). A further highlight of the session will be a video address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to PACE on Thursday. Irish President Michael D. Higgins and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama will also address the Assembly. In addition, the Assembly will debate reports on a European perspective for the Western Balkans, the fight against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism, and on vaccine discrimination, as well as respect for obligations and commitments on the part of Turkey, Hungary and Romania as member states of the Council of Europe.

All the debates of the plenary session can be followed live and with translation in French/Italian/English/German on the website of the Parliamentary Assembly website of the Parliamentary Assembly.