19/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The presidents of the parliaments of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe are to meet in Strasbourg on 22-23 May 2008 for a summit conference on “parliaments and civil society” and “national parliaments and the Council of Europe: promoting fundamental values - democracy, human rights and the rule of law”. The European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which is organised by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), will discuss good practices to enable civil society to influence policy and debates as part of the parliamentary process, and will attempt to strengthen legislators' relations with the Council of Europe and its values. Presidents of international parliamentary bodies and the Assembly's observer states (Canada, Israel, Mexico), are also invited. Around 300 participants are expected. (O.J.)