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YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian flag was raised in front of the Strasbourg City Hall to mark the Armenian chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Press, Information, and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed "Armenpress" that the solemn ceremony of raising the Armenian flag was held in front of the Strasbourg City Hall on May 16. The Strasbourg Mayor Ronald Ries, Ex-Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Andorra Gilbert Saboya Sunyé, and the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Strasbourg, along with the representatives of the Armenian community in Strasbourg attended the aforesaid ceremony. The flags of France, the EU and Armenia will remain in front of the Strasbourg City Hall during the coming six months.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of the CoE Committee of Ministers Edward Nalbandyan made remarks at the course of the ceremony and stated: "Strasbourg - the seat of the Council of Europe, is a symbol of human rights and fundamental freedoms for 800 million Europeans. Strasbourg symbolizes the European diversity with its diverse cultural and architectural heritage. The Armenian chairmanship will enable the residents of Strasbourg a chance to get acquainted with Armenia and its culture due to the events we intend to organize in cooperation with the Strasbourg City Hall."
Concluding his speech, Minister Nalbandyan noted that May 16, 2013 will always remain in the memory of Armenia's generations.
The 123rd session of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Council member countries was held on May 16, 2013 in Strasbourg. The aforesaid session was attended by high ranking delegations from 47 EC member countries. Armenia assumed chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from May 13 to November 13. 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.