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YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENRPESS. The working agenda of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan, who paid a visit to Strasbourg to assume the chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, was extensive in respect of bilateral meetings. The Press, Information, and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia informed "Armenpress" that Edward Nalbandyan had a meeting with the Ex-Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of CoE, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Andorra Gilbert Saboya Sunyé.
Among other things Minister Nalbandyan congratulated his counterpart from Andorra on the occasion of successful chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of CoE and highlighted that a palpable work had been carried out during the past six months, which were aimed at the realization of the priorities of Andorra's Chairmanship and fostering the goals of the organization.
Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan had a meeting with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Jean-Claude Mignon.
The PACE Head congratulated the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia on the occasion of assuming the chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and characterized it as historical for Armenia. Among other things Jean-Claude Mignon stated that he is hopeful that there will be an efficient cooperation between the Armenia's chairmanship in CoE and PACE, which will contribute to the realization of the organization’s objectives.
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.