The Socialist, Democratic and Green Group of the Council of Europe welcomes the election of Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis as Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.
We look forward to seeing this experienced, competent and warm personality fill this role from 1st of March. She will undoubtedly provide the Assembly and the Council with the necessary new impetus, which is particularly important in these difficult times, to represent the Parliamentary Assembly in the best possible way, support its members and thus promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout the European continent.
Last but not least, Despina Chatzivassiliou will be the first woman Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly in its 71-year history, and her election fills a glaring gap in the necessary implementation of gender equality, which is particularly close to our hearts.
With our thanks, we extend our best wishes to Wojciech Sawicki, the outgoing Secretary General of the Assembly, who has put a lot of effort into this position over the past 10 years. We wish him a well-deserved rest and, no doubt, new challenges to be met.
