On Sunday 9 October, the former Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe met at the initiative of its current President, Tiny Kox of the Netherlands, and the Secretary General of the Assembly, Despina Chatzivasilíou. This was behind closed doors in Strasbourg, the day before the plenary and the day after the Prague meeting of the new European Political Community (EPC), which some see as a rival to the Council of Europe. Belgian Rik Daems, Tiny Kox’s predecessor at the Assembly, was present at Sunday’s meeting and shares his thoughts with EUROPE. (Interview by Véronique Leblanc)
Agence Europe: Was the start of the EPC perceived as a threat to the Council of Europe at this meeting?
Rik Daems: I did not have this feeling. It is not what I feel in any case and that is what I have said. I think the EU has realised that it has to reach out beyond its borders. Europe is not the EU alone. The final photo of the Prague meeting is important. It visually shows a political ‘Pan-Europe’ of which Russia and Belarus are not part. However, we should not be naive, there is obviously a risk that the EPC will try to take over the Council of Europe, but this is not my impression at this stage.
How do you view this new pan-European configuration that is the EPC?
I see this as a very important initiative and a political opportunity for Europe. It is reminiscent of the Western European Union (WEU), whose role remained very limited, which I think was a mistake. The EPC will have to play this role in its own right, implementing the political and personal relations between heads of state and government, talking politically among ‘bosses’ to find solutions to conflicts such as the one between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
How should the Council of Europe position itself in relation to the EPC?
It should not be on the defensive, but should see the creation of the EPC as an opportunity to strengthen itself by putting forward its expertise in human rights, rule of law and democracy. Synergies will be needed with an EPC that is at this stage energy and defence oriented.
This is what the report of the Group of Experts on the Future of the Council of Europe published on 7 October advocates...
Yes, but this report does not mention the strengths where the Council of Europe has made progress in recent years; while the fight against violence against women (Istanbul Convention) is in the report, artificial intelligence and the recognition of the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental right are not highlighted.
The report supports the idea of a fourth Council of Europe summit, essential at this pivotal moment in its history. What are your thoughts on that?
Like everyone in the Assembly, I support this idea and it has been agreed at this stage that it will be held in Reykjavik under the Icelandic Presidency. This is likely to be in mid-May, which raises timing issues, as the second EPC meeting is scheduled to take place in Moldova at the same time. The two meetings must not compete with each other and it will be necessary to determine which one will take place first.
An EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights is often presented as the main issue at this upcoming summit. Do you share this view?
This would only concern the EU27, whereas the Council of Europe has 46 member States, and therefore 19 that will not appreciate being excluded from this key issue. I believe that if the Council of Europe and the European heads of state are to reconnect with their young people, the issue of the environment as a fundamental right must be forcefully put forward.
Will last Sunday’s meeting be repeated?
There will indeed be another one and that is important. This type of format also allows national experiences to be shared. The arrival on Sunday of Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, former President of the Assembly and current Turkish foreign minister, means that, for Turkey, the Council of Europe cannot be neglected.