MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: THE GOALS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, CELEBRATING ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY, ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS BEFORE
On 12 May in Madrid, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas took part in the 119th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and expressed support for the activities of the Council of Europe, stressing the importance for this organisation to adhere to values and principles and spoke up for further reforms in the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
The Minister said that even 60 years after the establishment of the Council of Europe, its goals remained important and topical.
“Breaches of human rights, frozen conflicts and the fact that Belarus is not a member of the Council of Europe demonstrate that we have to strengthen the role of the Council of Europe and exert every effort to promote democratic processes, while consolidating the rule of law and respect for human rights,” said Minister V.Ušackas.
According to the Minister, the Russia-Georgia conflict has become a serious challenge to the goals and values of the Council of Europe.
“The frozen conflict transformed into an open one. It shows that the international community lacks abilities and political will to prevent such conflicts,” stressed V.Ušackas.
According to V.Ušackas, the international community has to do everything that is possible in order to prevent repeat of military conflicts between the two members of the Council of Europe in the future, because it poses threat to fundamental principles, values and existence of the organization.
The Minister encouraged all members of the Council of Europe to respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
While speaking about the reforms of the Council of Europe, the Minister stressed that this organisation had to be more effective and flexible. The Minister welcomed the decisions that were made during the session and that will allow to complete the reform of the European Court of Human Rights and will accelerate the trials.
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