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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Anna Lindh [1957 - 2003]
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
11 May 2001
Membership
of the Council of Europe entails great responsibilities
Her speech:
...The Council of Europe of 43 is,
indeed, different from the Council of Europe of 25, ten
years ago. The challenges are different and greater. So are
our responsibilities to meet them. The efforts of the
Secretary-General towards reform and setting priorities have
the full support of the EU. The main task of the Council of
Europe is now to uphold, develop and ensure implementation
of our common standards and principles.
Membership of the Council of Europe entails great
responsibilities. Responsibilities towards the citizens of
the state concerned and towards other member States and
Council institutions. We all carry the responsibility of
safeguarding our common values.
The European Court of Human Rights plays a central role in
making the provisions of the Convention for the protection
of human rights and fundamental freedoms a reality for the
people of Europe. The effective functioning of the Court
must be guaranteed despite and because of a foreseeable
increasing number of cases presented to the Court. In this
spirit, the Member States are ready to consider all means,
including a possible reform of the procedure before the
Court, in order to ensure the efficiency of the mechanisms
of the Convention...