Maltese Parliamentary Delegation to attend Council of Europe Session in Strasbourg

The Maltese parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe will be attending the First Part of the 1999 Ordinary Session of the Council of Europe, to be held in Strasbourg, between the 26th and the 30th April 1999. The delegation, led by the Hon John Vella, MP, comprises the Hon Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, MP, the Hon John Attard Montalto, MP and the Hon Joe Debono Grech, MP.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be addressed by the President of Georgia, Mr Edouard Shevardnadze; and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr Milos Zeman.

The Parliamentary Assembly will be discussing:

- the crisis in Kosovo and the situation in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia;

- control of internal security services in Europe;

- the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

- honouring of obligations and commitments of Croatia as a member state of the Council of Europe;

- the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes in Croatia;

- control of internal security services in Europe;

- media and democratic culture;

- social functions of co-operatives, mutual insurance companies and associations which form the basis of Europe's social economy;

- illegal activities of sects;

- European transport policies (report on the activities of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport); and

- economy co-operation in southern-eastern in Europe

On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Council of Europe, during this Part Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a Youth Assembly will be held on Friday, 30th April, 1999. Two Maltese youths, Mr James Scicluna and Ms Nicola Ann Farrugia shall be participating in the Youth Assembly, discussing the following themes: