newsitems ECPP2014+Norway Parliament Chief Thomessen to EuroFora:Integrate Rightists to Democracy/Human Rights
ECPP2014+Norway Parliament Chief Thomessen to EuroFora:Integrate Rightists to Democracy/Human Rights
*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- The European Top Politician who is due to Host soon the next Bi-Annual PanEuropean Summit of National Parliaments' Heads, the President of Norway's Parliament, Olemic Thommessen, speaking to "EuroFora" precisely 1 Month after the May 25, 2014 EU Parliament's Elections, where EU succeeded, for the 1st time in a Decade and a Half (1999-2014) to Start Reversing a previous trend towards more and more Majority Abstention, (sharply augmented on 1999-2004, and just decelerated on 2009), but gave an even Bigger than expected Number of various "Rightists", "Populists" and other Atypical, more or less New or reNovated Parties most often classified towards the Far Right part of the Political Spectrum, didn't find difficult at all to integrate at least some so-called "Rightist"/Atypîcal Parties into mainstream Democratic and Human Rights' respectful politics of Europe today:
Norway being (since November 2013) the 1st Country in Europe to have formed a New Governing Coalition which includes, together with "Classical" ChristianDemocrat/EPP and other Center/Right and/or traditional Conservative Parties, also an important New Rightist Party (named "Progres"), together perhaps with Switzerland, at least partly, where the famous "Anti - (Turkish) Minaret","Swiss People's Party" CVP/UDC (more than 27 % of votes, plus a +5% offspring from a local split), reportedly supported the recent Election of the new President if the Country : the Liberal Didier Burkhalter, a convinced and able Democratic Politician, Swiss Foreign Minister since 2011, who also Heads during all the Year 2014 a crucial OSCE's Presidency, quite succesfully facing exceptionaly Hard Challenges, as f.ex. that of the current Conflict in Ukraine, where OSCE appears as the No 1 tool of the PanEuropean/TransAtlantic International Community, (Comp. President Burkhalter's relevant Replies to "EuroFora"s Questions on ISCE at an earlier Press Conference at the CoE in Strasbourg : ...), Thommessen told "EuroFora" how this was achieved :
- "You are among the first few in Europe - may be only together with Switzerland, partly - to have Succeeded to bring a formerly outsider Rightist Party, inside mainstream, Democracy and Human Rights politics. - "How did you achieve that ?" , "EuroFora" asked President Thommessen, earlier Today in Strasbourg, on the occasion of his meeting with CoE Assembly's President Anne Brasseur, from Luxembourg.
- "First of all, .(I know that). "there are many "Myths", about the "Progres" Party in Norway", the Head of the Strorting observed Critically, (obviously pointing from the outset to many established Mass Media's DisInformation in such issues). .
- But, "it has Not been Difficult to Work with them", he Replied with a Smile, to "EuroFora"s Question.
- This goes "either in the Parliament, or in the Government", he confirmed on both levels of the Public Institutions. .
+ Moreover, "I thnk that the Experience that we had, so far, is very, very Good !", President Thommessen underlined.
+ A fortiori, when, in this case, moreover, in fact, "it's a Democratic Party", and "Not an Extremist Party, as you may find in some Other European Countries", he estimated in addition.
- This obviously appears to be particularly Important Today, when "Working on Democracy and Human Rights is more Important Now, than in many, many years" in the Past", as Thommassen observed earlier.
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Significantly, President Thommessen said that to "EuroFora" just 1 Day after CoE's Parliamentary Assembly re-Elected with a crystal-clear Majority, for a 2nd term, (for the 1st time in History), totalling a whole Decade : 2009 - 2019, at the Head of the PanEuropean Organisation for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, the .. Norwegian Thornbjorn Jagland, a former SocialDemocrat Prime Minister, but now strongly Backed by the New Government of the ...Right, (which includes Today both mainstream Center Right Parties, and the Rightists/Populists of the "Progres" party), without any problem, (as he acknowledged himself; speaking immediately after his brillant reelection to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "EuroFora", accompagnied by the Head of the New Norwegian Governing Majority Coalition's Delegation of MEPs to CoE's Assembly : Comp. Jagland's replies to "EuroFora"s Questions at : ...),
- A topical point, shortly after CoE Assembly's President, Anne Brasseur from Luxembourg, praised earlier the Norwegian MEPs for being "active" enough to get a ranking "among the Top 5" of CoE's 47 Member States for Participation,, and even 3rd for Voting...
+ By another Timely "coincidence", CoE's ANti-Corruption Watchdog has just published its Report on Norway, where it praises the Transparency and, more generally, the efficient Fight against Corruption among Norwegian Parliamentarians, political Parties, etc. (See Infra).
+ The significance all this has for a PanEuropean CoE's dimension was reflected also in President Thomassen's subsequent statements, Today, in Strasbourg, when he stressed that - "Working Together between Parliamentarians within Europe is more important now than for many years".
- It's in this context that the Speaker of the Norwegian "Storting", officially announced, speaking to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "EuroFora", together with CoE Assembly's President, Anne Brasseur from Luxembourg, that "we (Norway) look very much forward into Hosting that (PanEuropean) Conference on September" 2014, "where all the Parliament's Presidents of (47) CoE Member Countries will be Welcomed", as he said.
- "I hope also that these Questions will be also Discussed there", Thommassen added, speaking of the September 11-12 European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments (ECPP 2014), whose official Agenda already includes issues such as : "Majority and Opposition – striking a Balance in Democracy", and "Fundamental constitutional Rights and Freedoms – Participation, Trust and public Debate as Conditions for Democracy", as well as a "Current political issue".
In fact, Norway takes over on 2014 ECPP's Chairmanship from Cyprus, whose Parliament President, Yanakis Omirou, had hosted the previous similar PanEuropean event at Nicosia, back on 2010, (followed, as usual, by an intermediary gathering of Parliaments' Presidents in Strasbourg on 2012 : See "EuroFora"s NewsReports of September 2012 from the CoE), with a partly similar issue on the Agenda about the Parliamentary "Opposition"s rights and responsibilities, as well as on "International Human Rights".
[>>> Surprisingly, CoE had succeeded, during the ECPP 2012 in Strasbourg, there where EU had, at the same time failed : Convince Turkey to accept to deal with the Presidency of a (Pan)European Organisation by Cyprus, ... as it was spectacularly seen then with the Speaker of the Turkish Assembly responding to the call of the ECPP Chairman, the President of Cyprus' Parliament Omirou, to come and speak to the podium at a precise moment, while the latter was chairing the event, together with CoE's officials, (an unforgettable Photo)...]
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- Because, "for us, (Leaders of Parliaments from CoE's 47 Member Countries, etc+), in our way, this is a possibility to Strengthen our Knowledge about the COE, and our efforts on such Issues"; the Leader of the Norwegian Parliament, and ECPP 2014's Chairman observed.
+ "I also think that there are Important Dimensions in working Together, that we have on the Parliamentary Structures, and this important to raise and increase" in the foreseable Future, Thommessen advised.
>>> "Particularly when we see that there are (certain) Situations on which the Structures which are run by Governments, may be Need some Help", the experienced Norway Parliament's President, and Chair of the 2014 ECPP, concluded, given the manifold Economic, Social, Ethical and Political Challenges that the After-Crisis period raises to all Countries.
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Concerning Topical GeoPolitical issues, the Dates chosen for the 11-12 September 2014 PanEuropean Conference of Parliaments' Speakers, (to which is traditionaly invited also the EU Parliament's President, i.e. the New personality who is due to be elected Next Week in Strasbourg, during the 1st Plenary Session of the New EU Parliament issued from the May 2014 European Elections), is, at least, obviously well placed not only for the .. 9/11's Annual Anniversary, (already a Topical Issue, given the recently raising, Worldwide Concerns about the Dangerous spread of extremely Violent Islamic Terrorism, from Syria to Iraq and even inside EU Countries, as France's 2012 and Brussels' 2014 brutal killings of innocent Civilians, even small kids, started to reveal), but, apparently, much more for expected developments in the quest for Peace by efforts to settle the Ukranian Crisis : It's indeed shortly afterwards, on October 2014, that CoE's "Venice" Commission is due to definitively discuss and possibly Adopt a Report, with probable Recommendations, on proposed Draft Amendments to the Ukranian Constitution, already drafted by President Poroshenko, including on a planned "DeCentralisation of Power", which is widely expected to play a Crucial role, both for Dialogue among all the Parties to that Conflict, and for a Peaceful Solution.
In this prospect, it's naturally helpful that PACE's President Anne Brasseur, and other Top CoE's Officials, could have interesting Contacts in Oslo particularly with the President of the Russian Duma, Naryshkin, (with whom she already had recently a 1st Phone conversation), as well as the acting Speaker of the Ukranian Rada, Tuschinov, (i.e. there where a series of Important Reforms, including on DeCentralisation, the Electoral System, relations between the Executive Power and Parliament, the Judiciary and Fight against Corruption, etc, have to be prepared and adopted before the end of 2014).
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+ Apparently a solid Rock for Democracy, despite having to face both Atlantic and Arctic Oceans' challenging waves throughout Europe's bumpy modern History, Norway is proud to be the 2nd Country in the World to get and still keep an entirely Written Constitution since as early as back on 1814, and celebrates its BiCentenary Anniverary throughout this year, including also by collective visits to the superb Eidsvoll Manor, where the Norwegian Constitution was written and signed in 1814, without big changes until now :
A green parc hosting a prestigious, restored Building of an emblematic Architecture, with a clearly distinguished Right and Left side, linked together by the main Building's biggest Common Space, deeper inside : A crystal-clear Symbol of the fact that, in a Democracy, various Political Parties can have sharply Opposed Views and Policies, while, at the same time, sharing and caring all together for certain fundamental Common Values on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law.
+ A Topical Symbol; also, Today, even, about a so obviously Divided Today, but possibly United in the Future Ukraine ? Naturally, if one wants for the Inhabitants of 2 Different Houses to live Together, inside a Bigger, United Home, then, the best way to do so, is to built the latter in a way able to welcome and gather them all under a Common Roof, offering equal Access, Space and Protection to all those People who are to live United : A good Symbol f.ex. for the forthcoming Constitutional Reforms in that conflict-stricken Country..
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Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !
Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.
The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.
Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.
- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.
- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.
- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).
More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.
- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".
Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.
The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :
- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.
- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.
- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"
- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.
- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
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Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :
The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..
Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
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- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".
- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".
Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :
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To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
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- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".
"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.
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To Young People : "New Horizons"
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To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".
Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.
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Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
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At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).
But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.
- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.
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Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
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- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...
- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.
- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.
"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.
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