Edward Nalbandyan to assume chairmanship in Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers

YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan will pay a visit to Strasburg on May 15-16. The Press, Information, and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed "Armenpress" that Minister Nalbandyan will participate in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Council of Europe's member-states, during which he will assume chairmanship in Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

In accordance with the information of the CoE official website, Armenia will chair the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from May 13 to November 13. The handover of the Chairmanship from Andorra to Armenia will take place during the 123rd Session of the Committee of Ministers, in Strasbourg. The Republic of Armenia is honoured to assume its first chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, considering it as a further opportunity to bring its contribution to the overall goal of strengthening and consolidating democratic practices in Europe.

The priorities as well as objectives of the Armenian Chairmanship have been defined in response to the challenges that the Council of Europe member States are facing today with regard to the protection of human rights, the further strengthening of democracy and the respect of the rule of law. During its chairmanship, Armenia will endeavour to bring its contribution to strengthening the capabilities of the Organisation and to maximising the efforts in addressing the challenges in the Council of Europe’s fields of excellence, with specific focus on issues which are the most pertinent and require immediate action. At the same time, the Armenian Chairmanship will support the ongoing reform processes of the Organisation initiated by the Secretary General. The Armenian Chairmanship will pursue the following goals:

· combating racism and xenophobia in Europe; promoting European values through intercultural dialogue;

· strengthening European standards on human rights and on the rule of law;

· fostering democratic societies;

· reinforcing the role of the Council of Europe in the European architecture.

Armenia will handover the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Austria at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg, on 13 November.