“The regrettable spectacle offered last Monday and Tuesday does not dignify this Assembly or its members. Two issues were on the agenda of the April session: the first issue was the alleged accusations of corruption of some members of this Assembly. In connection with this matter, the approval process for the creation of an independent and external investigation has already taken place by the Assembly. The second issue was my trip to Syria as my personal capacity of a Spanish senator. I gave all the requested explanations, but have been misused by a very particular group of parliamentarians,” said Agramunt.
"The founding principles of the Parliamentary Assembly include respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law through parliamentarian diplomacy. Peace, tranquillity and constructive dialogue are our tools. Therefore, I encourage you to recover the path of consensus to achieve our foundational goals and work to ensure that this situation does not happen again,” he added.
It should be noted that Pedro Agramunt, along with State Duma Deputy Chairman Vladimir Vasiliev, visited Syria and held a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad.
The move drew criticism from PACE members, who announced a no-confidence vote against him.
Agramunt did not participate in the Bureau meeting, nor did he present his resignation, said PACE Vice-President, Chairman of the European Conservatives Group Gale Roger, who chaired the Bureau meeting on Friday.
“Thus we won’t trust Pedro Agramunt as PACE President and there is no way he can represent the Assembly,” noted the vice-president.
As Agramunt has not resigned yet and there is no impeachment procedure in the Charter, uncertainty grew over his presidency.
More about:
