News

On 24 October, a two-day conference opened in Strasbourg to discuss the significance of regional organisations for the development of Europe. The forum is held in accordance with the Vilnius Declaration adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the session in Vilnius on 3 May 2002. In his introductory speech, Lithuanian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius underscored the importance of regional organisations in strengthening democratic stability with respect for human rights in Europe, implementing European democratic standards and resolving issues related to EU enlargement, such as cross-border co-operation. The Lithuanian official stressed also that the Council of Europe plays a significant role in pooling regional organisations together for common activities and coordinated actions. The representatives of almost twenty organisations and institutions attend the conference arranged under the Lithuanian initiative.