होमEuropeArmenian MP Ms Arusyak Julhakyan Elected Vice-President of PACE

Armenian MP Ms Arusyak Julhakyan Elected Vice-President of PACE

Strasbourg, France – In a landmark achievement, Armenian Member of Parliament and member of the majority Civil Contract Faction in the National Assembly, Arusyak Julhakyan, has been elected Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Julhakyan shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude for the support she received. “I have been elected Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). A short while ago, the PACE approved my candidacy for this position. I am grateful to the Armenian delegation for nominating me to the PACE,” she announced.

This election is a significant moment for Armenia, as Julhakyan’s appointment reflects the nation’s growing prominence on the international stage. As Vice-President, Julhakyan will hold a key leadership role within PACE, contributing to its work on promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across its 46 member states.

Julhakyan’s election underscores her dedication to these values, which she has championed throughout her career. Her success also highlights the Armenian delegation’s active engagement and influence within the Council of Europe.

This milestone follows Armenia’s consistent efforts to strengthen its presence in international parliamentary platforms, further emphasizing its commitment to fostering European cooperation and advancing democratic principles.

Vice-Presidents in PACE and Their Represented Countries

Nineteen Vice-Presidents are elected annually at the start of an ordinary session and serve until the opening of the next session. However, if a Vice-President’s delegation is renewed during a session, they do not retain their position. The number of Vice-Presidents has increased over time, reflecting the growing number of member states.

To ensure fair representation among member states of different sizes, countries are divided into four groups:

  1. Delegations with 18 seats: France, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom each have a Vice-President every year.
  2. Delegations with 12 to 17 seats: Poland, Spain, and Ukraine share two Vice-President positions, rotating annually.
  3. Delegations with 5 to 11 seats: Countries such as Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, and others share eight Vice-President positions, with half changing annually.
  4. Delegations with fewer than 5 seats: The remaining 17 delegations share four Vice-President positions, rotating two each year.

Where rotations occur, they follow the English alphabetical order to maintain consistency and fairness.

Who is the current President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)?

Theodoros Rousopoulos is a Greek Member of Parliament for New Democracy, elected in the 2nd District of Athens. He currently serves as the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Rousopoulos has held key positions in European affairs, including chairing the Committee on Migration, Refugees, and Displaced Persons in PACE. In Greece, he serves on several parliamentary committees, including those on National Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Environmental Protection.

He has a PhD in history from the University of Edinburgh and has held important roles in Greek politics, including Minister of State and Government Spokesperson (2004-2008). Before politics, he had a distinguished 20-year career in journalism, founding Greece’s first private radio and TV stations.

Rousopoulos is also an academic, teaching at the University of Athens and the European University of Cyprus, and has published extensively on media freedom and ethnic identities. He is married to journalist Mara Zacharea and has two children, Vassilis and Anna.


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