“In Europe today, the threats to our stability no longer come predominantly from the outside. Many come from within our own political systems and our own societies. Corruption. Loss of trust in state bodies. The segregation of minorities. Fear of diversity. From a security perspective, this internalising of threats is perhaps the biggest shift of our time” highlighted Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, while addressing the Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Foreign Affairs of National Parliaments in Sofia.

Deputy Secretary General emphasised the relevance of Democratic Security for the Council of Europe, underlining three key ways at the top of the agenda:

1. Promoting and defending international standards which all European states have signed up;
2. Identifying trends which threaten Democratic Security across the Continent;
3. Building inclusive societies.