President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca this morning addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, touching on subjects such as the threat of terrorism, migration, poverty in Europe, domestic violence and equality. The session, held in Strasbourg, marked 50 years since Malta joined the CoE.

Mrs Coleiro Preca thanked the Belgian presidency for the initiative taken in Brussels which gave special attention to the fight against terrorism. She noted that several Europeans have chosen to travel to countries like Syria and Iraq to join terrorist groups. This phenomenon, she said, should not only be fought by legal means but also by helping youths find their meaning in life through positive action. The International Justice Institute, which was launched in Malta last year, is offering the necessary support to all concerned parties so that terrorism is fought with the rule of law.

On the subject of migration, the President said that more needs to be done to save people from the seas. The situation has to be addressed in collaboration with Mediterranean and North African countries.

She also spoke about the injustices faced by women, noting that female participation in decision making roles in politics is still low. Women are still discriminated against at the workplace.

Mrs Coleiro Preca also spoke about the rights of LGBTIQ persons and on the need for politics that promote these rights. She also described the poverty situation in Europe as being “unacceptable.”

The President was welcomed upon her arrival at the Palais de l’Europe by Anne Brasseur, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly. She also had meetings with Secretary General Thornbjorn Jagland.