Russia not yet returned to PACE, but situation is ‘disgusting’ – Ariev

Chairperson of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Volodymyr Ariev informed this on his Facebook page, commenting on the decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the summer session in Helsinki on Friday.

“The situation in the Council of Europe is vile. But Russia has not been returned to PACE yet. I should clarify a bit. It is impossible to do without making changes to the PACE regulations. The decision is made only by PACE, not by the Committee of Ministers. The government component does not decide the parliamentary one. But today, in Helsinki, most of the foreign ministers of the Council of Europe members gave a corresponding signal to PACE,” Ariev said.

He outlined two further decisions regarding Russia. It’s about a meeting of the PACE Regulatory Committee on June 3 and voting at the session on June 25. “The risk of unconditional return of Russia is great. The Ukrainian position has weakened by the situation in the Parliament (it doesn't matter if it is dissolved or works without a coalition - everything is bad) and by the complete absence of the position of the president-elect, who at the time of voting will have his mace [commences the duties of the president],” Ariev wrote.

According to the chairperson of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE, the consequences of such decision are obvious: the beginning of sanctions against Russia and a significant undermining of confidence in the key organization that was founded 70 years ago to protect democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

“However, we will fight to the end. We will stand up even if the walls of European values in the Council of Europe start to fall down,” Ariev stressed.

As reported, on May 17, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the level of foreign ministers at the summer session in Helsinki supported the position that all member states should have the right to participate in the Organization’s statutory bodies, including the Parliamentary Assembly, and should also vote in the election of a new Secretary General of the Organization in June.

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