Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Henri and Maria Teresa at the Council of Europe


Today, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa are in Strasbourg to attend a plenary session for the Council of Europe. The Grand Ducal couple attend at the invitation of Luxembourg native Anne Brasseur, current President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Grand Duke Henri also delivered a speech during the session.

His speech included comments on the refugee crisis, with the statement: "This crisis is a great touchstone of our ability to show solidarity in Europe and remain true to our common heritage," and he continued by encouraging the pursuit of a common solution: "It is in times of difficulty and crisis that we have to stand together and show that what unites us is much more important than what divides us...Fear of the unfamiliar is the worst enemy."

The event will also include a presentation about Belval and the ongoing efforts there to reclaim the land and turn it into a safe, usable, and prosperous space for the future.

While in attendance at the Council of Europe meeting, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will also meet with Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland, Congress President Jean-Claude Frécon, Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks, and President of the European Court of Human Rights Dean Spielmann.

Grand Duke Henri's speech available from RTL, plus some question-answer session (with a response about monarchy), also from RTL.

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