"I do not support giving independence to areas populated by national minorities in Europe," President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Rene van der Linden stated. In his words, a report on Lebanon, illegal migration to Europe, situation in Kosovo will be discussed at the PACE plenary session. Russia-Georgia problems will be discussed between the parliamentary delegations of the two countries and PACE authorities.

"The relations between Russia and Georgia, which are both members of the Council of Europe and as PACE members undertook commitments on peaceful settlement of conflicts, should be solved via diplomatic tools," he said.

The PACE President also commented on French President Jacques Chirac's statement in Yerevan over EU-Turkey talks. "It is not new that Jacques Chirac has made such statements. The game has already started. You cannot change the rules of the game while it is on. Like other European states, France signed a document to start discussions on Turkey's EU membership. Jacques Chirac has made a mere political statement. I do not think this position is right," Mr. van der Linden said. The PACE President also said he does not agree to Chirac's comment on the principle of determining the fate of national minorities and stressed that he does not support giving independence to areas in Europe where national minorities live, APA reports.