About: Council of Europe
Spain’s foreign minister in bid to improve nation’s standing in Catalan conflict
As the first anniversary of the declaration of independence of Catalonia approaches and tensions between Madrid and Barcelona increase, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Josep Borrell met with senior European officials in Strasbourg to seek support.
EPP silent on Spanish scandal, pledges to do ‘everything’ to fight corruption
The European Peoples' Party (EPP) will set up a committee in November to do “everything” to address “unethical behaviour” but remained silent on whether it would send a warning to its Spanish member following a major sentence against Partido Popular (PP).
Azerbaijan opposition vows to boycott snap presidential vote
Leaders of Azerbaijan's main opposition parties pledged on Monday (12 February) to boycott a snap presidential election which is expected to extend the autocratic rule of President Ilham Aliyev.
MEPs grill Romania’s government in absentia
Procedural problems prevented Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader from addressing the European Parliament's plenary session on Wednesday (7 February) and explaining the government’s current judiciary reforms, which many MEPs see as a threat to the rule of law.
Venice Commission active on Poland, expects the same from Warsaw
The Venice Commission is waiting for the response of the Polish government regarding the sent draft opinions on the reform of the judiciary in Poland, as well as for confirmation that a representative of the Polish government will participate in the next plenary session of the Commission. EURACTIV Poland reports.
EU hesitates to recognise Kazakhstan as European
Kazakhstan is searching for a post-Soviet identity somewhere between its traditional Kazakh and Turkish cultures, Europe and multiculturalism, diplomats have told EURACTIV. But Europe has been slow to forge closer ties with the young country, despite its strategic location and potential.
Trans-Europe Express: Gay marriage and the German elections
Call it the Merkel tack. “For me, personally, marriage is a man and a woman living together. That is my concept, but I support civil partnerships,” she told YouTube vlogger Le Floid, AKA Florian Mundt, in July 2014.
Days numbered for Council of Europe leader?
The Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly has cleared the path for a possible impeachment of its president, Pedro Agramunt, who has courted controversy in the past by visiting Syria and meeting Bashar al-Assad. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Georgia denies role in Azerbaijani journalist’s abduction
Georgia today (1 June) denied it was involved in the alleged abduction and handover of a pro-opposition Azerbaijani journalist to his country's authoritarian government.
Council of Europe blasts moves to turn public TV into state broadcasting
Public service broadcasting in Europe is under threat, the Council of Europe said yesterday, ahead of the World Press Freedom Day (3 May), a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom.
Turkey’s EU bid in jeopardy after Council of Europe vote
The Council of Europe has voted to reopen its monitoring procedure against Turkey. The decision deals another potentially fatal blow to Ankara's EU membership hopes, as exiting the process was made a precondition of negotiations back in 2004.
Council of Europe plagued by ‘caviar diplomacy’
A corruption scandal involving payments running into millions of euros has rocked the Council of Europe. But details are still hard to come by and the organisation seems unwilling to delve deeper into the matter. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Commission ‘seriously concerned’ about Turkish constitutional changes
The European Commission highlighted the “serious concerns” expressed by the Council of Europe on Monday (13 March) over the amendments to the Turkish Constitution which are due to be voted on in the 16 April referendum.
Council of Europe condemns Jordan hangings
Jordan's execution of 15 prisoners has provoked "indignation" from Council of Europe leader Pedro Agramunt, who insisted the Arab kingdom remains committed to maintaining a moratorium on the death penalty. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Council of Europe calls on Slovenia to amend new migrant law
The Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights organisation, called on Slovenia's parliament to reject some legal changes affecting migrants that the government proposed earlier in January in a set of amendments.
Council of Europe tells Turkey to restore MP’s inviolability
In its first opinion on Turkey after the failed coup d’état on 15 July 2016, the Council of Europe called today (17 October) on restoring the inviolability of members of parliament, which was infringed by an amendment of the constitution introduced last April.
Aliyev says Azerbaijan stronger after referendum
The President of Azerbaijan said his country has never been stronger, more free and independent, in a speech following a referendum on constitutional reform held on Monday (26 September) and backed by over 91% of the population.
Azerbaijan referendum to give more powers to Aliyev
Azerbaijanis went to the polls today (26 September) in a controversial referendum on handing extra powers to long-serving President Ilham Aliyev, with opposition and human rights groups criticising the proposed constitutional changes as undemocratic.
Council of Europe: Turkey must separate coup plotters from Gülen employees
Turkey must produce clear evidence in pursuing participants in a failed coup and avoid targeting teachers and journalists simply because they worked for firms run by the Muslim cleric Ankara portrays as its mastermind, the head of the European rights watchdog said Thursday (8 September).
Turkey working with Council of Europe on post-coup prosecutions
A delegation from Turkey's justice ministry has met with the Council of Europe to review European human rights standards and conventions as Ankara prepares to prosecute those it holds responsible for the failed 15 July coup, the head of the CoE said.
Council of Europe chief backs Turkey ‘clean-up’ after coup
The head of a top European rights watchdog Wednesday backed a "cleaning up" of Turkish institutions after a failed coup blamed on supporters of US-based preacher Fethullah Gülen.
Council of Europe worried about Belgian prisons crisis
The Council of Europe, the continent’s oldest organisation specialised in human rights, has visited prisons in Belgium where a large number of staff were absent due to strike and therefore did not provide services to inmates.
EU urges Ukraine to investigate 2014 Odessa deaths
Ukraine's tense Odessa marked yesterday (2 May) two years since clashes killed 48 anti-Maidan protesters during a confrontation with pro-Ukrainian unity protesters at the Trade Unions House in central Odessa. The EU urged Kyiv to investigate the tragedy.