“The Russian Federation is writing a bloody page in European history, waging a barbaric war of aggression to achieve its imperialistic objectives. It is exactly because our deepest values are being trampled upon that we must reaffirm our identity. The Reykjavik Summit is the response of the member States to the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine”, Fiona O’Loughlin (Ireland, ALDE) today said opening a current affairs debate on the #RoadToReykjakik.

The Reykjavik Summit “should be the starting point for a renewed Council of Europe, with a greater capacity to contribute to our shared democratic security, to respond to our citizens’ real concerns and to tackle the momentous challenges that confront us. We should make the most of this chance”, she said.

“It cannot be said often enough: the quality of the Court and its case-law depends on the quality of the independent and impartial judges elected by you to perform that role”, said the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Síofra O’Leary, addressing the Assembly during the debate.

“The more efficient and transparent the process of selection and election, the less room we leave for unjustified attacks whose goal – let me be frank – may be other than securing the independence and authority of the Court”, she added.

“At the Summit, the Court is seeking a renewed commitment from the contracting States to the Convention system and to the binding nature of Court judgements and decisions (…) We call on you, and on the Heads of State and Government, to translate the discours of values into material and political support”, she stated.