Visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, to Strasbourg
During the visit, the President met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, whom she presented with the instrument of ratification of the Protocol amending the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data; the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Tiny Kox; and the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Síofra O'Leary, in the presence of the Court's Registrar, Marialena Tsirli and the Court's Judge in respect of Slovenia and Vice President, Marko Bošnjak. In her talks with the latter, President Pirc Musar stressed that the enforcement of ECtHR judgments is an essential and unconditional obligation of all members of the Council of Europe, and that Slovenia can serve as an example to the other members of the European Court of Human Rights.
The President addressed the representatives of the 46 member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and presented her vision of Slovenia's role in the organisation in the light of the Council of Europe Summit, which took place in Reykjavik in May. "In the 70 years, the Council of Europe became Europe's most important body for the protection of human rights and the rule of law," said the President of the Republic of Slovenia, stressing that it is also an essential link in the search for solutions to regional and global challenges. She stressed the importance of multilateralism in finding these solutions, and of cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Union, as "our common voice is stronger and louder." She reiterated her condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and her call for a lasting and just peace, and presented other important themes such as the environment, artificial intelligence and the Western Balkans.
Promoting the involvement of youth in policy-making is one of the Council of Europe's major undertakings, therefore President Pirc Musar also visited the European Youth Centre Strasbourg, where she discussed with youth their role in tackling global challenges, especially climate change.
President Pirc Musar was also the main guest at the reception to mark the 30th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the National Day of Slovenia, organised by Ambassador Andrej Slapničar and the Head of the Slovenian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tamara Vonta. President Pirc Musar also visited the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the Council of Europe.