Press release, 25 October 2019
Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, attending the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Strasbourg, addressed the parliamentary representatives of the Council of Europe’s member states. In his speech, Mr Pranckietis noted that member states, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe, were beginning to ignore the uniform principles of the CoE which had served as the foundation for establishing this organisation. According to the Speaker of the Seimas, double standards in respect of the countries that no longer cherish democracy and fail to ensure human rights must not be ignored.
‘In the context of the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe, our countries must put every effort to make this organisation relevant to the European population. This can be achieved only without introducing exceptions or individual standards for some Council of Europe’s member states which disregard the principles of the organisation. Today, we are in need of not only a powerful joint response mechanism but also its clear employment. Immediate sanctions are necessary against the countries that breach the principles of the Council of Europe, violate the sovereignty of other countries, and infringe human rights and democratic values,’ said Mr Pranckietis.
A part of the delegation from the Parliament of the Russian Federation left the chamber as the Speaker of the Seimas was delivering his speech.