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On November 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Antanas Valionis and the Lithuanian delegation participated in the 109th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; where Lithuania took over the chairmanship of the Council of Europe. Lithuania introduced its chairmanship priorities at the Session. Minister Valionis noted that the terrorist actions had changed the agenda of the international community. "Today, in the first place the Council of Europe should intensify the measures of legal struggle against terrorism. It's necessary to cooperate and coordinate our activities with those of the other international organizations like the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union. It is of special importance to strengthen the dialogue between nations and religions", - the Lithuanian Foreign Minister pointed out. But still, quoting the Minister, the measures of fighting terrorism should also not violate the principles of democracy and basic human rights. During the period of its chairmanship Lithuania will actively support the extension of the Council of Europe as well as the accession of new members. Most of the delegations supported the Lithuanian Foreign Minister's call for the encouragement of national cooperation. Minister Valionis stressed that Lithuania would seek to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, but still countries should take upon themselves the main burden of responsibility for guaranteeing respect for human rights and the rule of law. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Valionis met Polish Foreign Minister Cimoszewicz. The Ministers discussed the problems of integration of Lithuania and Poland into the European Union focusing on the issue of selling the land to foreigners. During the meeting the Polish Minister briefed about the key issues of the Poland's internal policy. Minister Valionis confirmed Lithuania's readiness to actively participate in the activities of the Ministers Committee of the Council of Europe. The Ministers agreed about the meeting in near future in Lithuania. Minister Valionis also met Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Guliyev. The Ministers considered the efforts made by the international community to solve the problem of the Nagornyj Karabach. Azerbaijani Minister is to visit Vilnius by the end of November. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister met Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein Ernst Walch who until present chaired the office of the Committee of Ministers. Starting from November 8, Lithuania's role will considerably increase in the European affairs. The chairmanship of the Council of Europe gives a magnificent chance for the consolidation of any state's active role in solving the issues of the Council of Europe - Minister Walch pointed out at the meeting. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister indicated that "Lithuania acts intensely in the European processes. Our democratic experience in solving problems, as well as in the development of regional cooperation and good neighborly relations should be used in seeking the solutions for the problems urgent to all Europe." During the Session Minister Valionis also met with the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia. Lithuania will be chairing in the Council of Europe by the next Session of the Committee of Ministers, which is to take place in Vilnius, in May 2002. During the Lithuania's chairmanship of the Council of Europe there will be held the PACE Political Affairs Committee sitting, a meeting with the high ranking police officials on the police ethics, a conference on the role and functions of the ombudsman in democratic countries, a meeting on national minorities and a seminar on the access to an effective public health system in Vilnius. PRESENTATION OF THE LITHUANIAN CHAIRMANSHIP PROGRAMME by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas VALIONIS