Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 18 January 2007 - Strasbourg

1. Opening of the sitting

(The sitting was opened at 10 a.m.)

  President. I declare the session open.

I am very pleased to have been elected: this is my first time as President of this House. I regard it as absolutely crucial and highly symbolic that I am opening this session with a debate on gender parity and equality. It must be said that our Parliament has made some significant progress, and I hope that it continues to do so.