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On 26 June in Strasbourg, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Laima Jurevičienė presented her letters of credence to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland.

“Lithuania highly appreciates the role of the Council of Europe and its significant support for the establishment of democratic institutions, ensuring the standards of human rights and the rule of law,” said Jurevičienė at the meeting.

According to the Ambassador, Lithuania seeks to significantly contribute to the mission of the Council of Europe and to promote European values. Today, solid expertise of the Council of Europe is crucial for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, thus Lithuania strongly supports the implementation of the Action Plan of the Council of Europe. A principled stance of the Council of Europe in the assessment of compliance with the commitments undertaken by member states is necessary in the wake of this crisis.

According to Jurevičienė, such priorities named by the Council of Europe, as countering extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism, are important for Lithuania.

According to the Ambassador, we must bear in mind that not only religious fanatics or political marginals became challenges facing Europe, but also some countries, which were spreading propaganda and disinformation, inciting discord or even wars. Lithuania urges to provide a proper response to this propaganda, abiding by the principles of press freedom and journalist safety.

Jurevičienė also welcomed the recent ratification by Lithuania of the new protocols 15, 16 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Jagland said that he valued Lithuania, as an active member of the Council of Europe, whose voice was heard on many major European issues. When speaking about key priorities of the Council of Europe, Jagland stressed the importance of police independence, press freedom and the fight against extremism, radicalisation and terrorism. The Secretary General especially emphasized the significance of accession to the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, addressing the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters.