Our guests
Numerous dignitaries of all nationalities and beliefs have been the honoured guests of the Council of Europe. These men and women, often instrumental in the implementation of political, social and cultural initiatives, illustrate the dynamism and values which, since the 1950s, have governed the work of the Council of Europe
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Helmut Kohl [1930 - ]
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
10 October 1997
the Council has made an important contribution to European
integration
His speech:
When we last met in Vienna four
years ago, the Council of Europe numbered only thirty-two
members. The difference underlines the great attraction of
the Council of Europe and of the idea of Europe's spiritual
and cultural unity it embodies.
With the early and consistent admission of the fledgling
democracies of central, eastern and south-eastern Europe the
Council has made an important contribution to European
integration.
At our first Summit in Vienna we took a number of
far-reaching decisions. This meeting, too, will generate
important momentum:
One example is the forthcoming establishment of the
permanent Court of Human Rights - an enormously important
step towards further improvement of human rights protection
in Europe.
Who would have thought such a thing possible ten years ago?
And yet it happened.
Let me also mention the Council of Europe's initiatives to
combat racism and xenophobia and the Framework Convention
for the Protection of National Minorities which is due to
come into force shortly.
The possibilities at our disposal must now be used
effectively. We must make the texts of the conventions come
to life in order that human rights and democracy may be
permanently secured as fundamental principles of coexistence
in Europe. In doing so, we should continue to co-ordinate as
closely as possible with the European Union and the OSCE.
Only by working together can we meet the challenges of the
day.
Events in Albania in recent months and what we have
experienced in the former Yugoslavia show that joint
commitment to human rights and stability in Europe is more
necessary than ever.