Addresses by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas are among the highlights of the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that opens in Strasbourg on Monday.

Topics for debate include the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey, refugees at risk in Greece, violence against migrants, fighting the over-sexualisation of children, transparency and openness in European institutions, and promoting equality and putting an end to gender-based violence among women in the armed forces.

Wednesday also sees a current affairs debate with the title: "Reaffirming the role of the Assembly as a pan-European forum for inter-parliamentary dialogue and co-operation".

Estonian Foreign Minister and Committee of Ministers Chairperson Marina Kaljurand will present the activities of the Council of Europe’s ministerial body and answer questions from parliamentarians. Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will also take questions from PACE members.

On the first day of the session, PACE President Pedro Agramunt will launch a Europe-wide iniative to encourage a response to terrorism founded on the twin themes of #NoHateNoFear.