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EU statement on Farewell address by Mr Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly

21.01.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to the COUNCIL OF EUROPE in Strasbourg

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

  1. We would like to express our appreciation for the achievements of President Theodoros Rousopoulos. We especially welcome Mr. Rousopoulos’s steady commitment to upholding the Parliamentary Assembly’s and the Council of Europe’s principles and standards, which guided his work throughout his mandate. 

  2. His two-year term was marked by important challenges, calling for difficult decisions to be made. The accountability for Ukraine has been at the centre of the work of the Parliamentary Assembly with President Zelenskyy’s participation in the summer session of PACE in 2025, the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and of the Convention for the Establishment of an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. 

  3. Following up to the Reykjavik Summit, commitment to democracy, human rights and rule of law remained the leading principles of the work of PACE, as well as preservation and protection of the Council of Europe’s system, which celebrated its 75-year milestone. 

  4.  The Assembly’s work has remained highly timely, with the Assembly following international developments closely and adapting its agenda accordingly. Numerous high-level visits and events have been organized by PACE, increasing the visibility of the Council of Europe in member states and beyond. At the same time, important steps towards the improvement of the functioning of the Assembly were undertaken, aiming at increasing participation and representativeness. In addition, internal cooperation improved substantially, with the Joint Committee between PACE and the Committee of Ministers becoming a critical venue for consultation between the two statutory bodies of the Organization. 

  5. We thank President Rousopoulos for his constructive stance, the open and sincere dialogue and contribution to the protection of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.