Prestigious posts for Lagan Valley MP

Mr Donaldson is the only Northern Ireland MP to be appointed to either Assembly.

Speaking on his appointments Mr Donaldson said: "I am delighted to have been selected by the Prime Minister to represent the UK in both of these important European institutions.

"This compliments my existing role on national security and defence as a member of the Defence Select Committee in the House of Commons and a member of Her Majesty's Privy Council."

He went on to say: "Both of these European Assemblies provide democratic scrutiny of the security and defence co-operation which takes place across Europe and of other key policies adopted by the UK and our partners in the Council of Europe and the Western European Union.

"With the threat from international terrorism a continuing problem, I can make use of our extensive experience in counter terrorism in Northern Ireland to influence security policies adopted by the UK and other European countries.

"None of this will affect my commitment to represent the interests of the Lagan Valley constituency and Northern Ireland in Parliament and the needs of my constituents will continue to be my number one priority," he concluded.

Appointments to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Security and Defence Assembly (ESDA) are unpaid positions. The PACE meets in Plenary Session in Strasbourg four times a year and the ESDA meets in Paris in Plenary session twice a year. There are also Committee meetings between plenary sessions.

The Council of Europe draws membership from 47 States and covers a wide range of issues, including legal standards, respect for the rule of law and human rights exercised through the European Court of Human Rights as well as democratic and economic development, migration, environment, agriculture, health, and social matters. In contrast, the Western European Union has a membership of 10 countries with a further 18 states having associate/observer status. The WEU focuses on co-operation in security and defence.

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