The Council of Europe kicked off its meetings yesterday, at the Verdala Palace as Malta presides over the Council. Secretary General of the COE Alain Berset opened the meeting with a speech emphasising on the increasing importance of democratic values in Europe. The Secretary-General said that as Europe re-arms, democratic values need to be consolidated and strengthened to prevent the potential of authoritarian governments using Europe’s strengths and arms against its own citizens.
The Secretary-General made similar remarks at the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen late last month. He also said that the Council will continue working on the Special Tribunal for Ukraine to ensure accountability for Russian war crimes. The Secretary-General is also proposing a COE conference on disinformation and foreign interference. On Gaza, the Secretary-General said that double-standards should be avoided and international law should be applied.
In his opening and presiding speech, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ian Borg praised the COE’s mission to spread democratic values and serve as compass for fundamental and democratic values. The Foreign Minister stated that this mission is highly important in today’s world where democratic norms and the rule of law are increasingly being challenged. He added that it is important that the Council’s work is spread through all sections of society and highlighted Malta’s contribution to this effect by reintroducing the COE’s youth conference.
As the meeting opened on the anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, the Foreign Minister and delegates commemorated the victims of the attacks and called for the swift implementation of President Trump’s peace plan.
Newsroom
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