28/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - Following the death in Paris on Sunday at the age of 76 of Lord Russell-Johnston, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe between 1999 and 2002, British Labour politician Terry Davis issued the following statement on Monday 28 July 2008: 'Everyone in Strasbourg is shocked and distressed by the news of the death of Lord Russell-Johnston. He made an exceptional contribution to the Council of Europe as a member of our Parliamentary Assembly for 23 years and as President from 1999 to 2002. We have lost a great parliamentarian who passionately believed in a wider Europe where everyone would enjoy democracy, human rights and the rule of law.' The Belgian president of the ELDR party, Annemie Neyts, and the British chair of the ELDR group, Graham Watson, also mourned the passing of the Scottish liberal politician. (O.J. / transl fl)