Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers

High level conference concludes Albanian Chairmanship

Strasbourg, 08.11.2012 - "Diversity in Europe: a Strength for the Future" – the title of the high level conference in Tirana on 9 November – summarises the concept that has guided Council of Europe activities since Albania took over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers in May. The conference will focus on dialogue with Mediterranean neighbours and the promotion of intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, through education to democratic citizenship values.

Following a welcome speech by Edmond Panariti, Albanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, Bujar Nishani, President of the Republic of Albania, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations will address the inaugural session of the Conference.

The Conference will be followed by a meeting for the handover of the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers to Andorra.

Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti, Andorran Foreign Minister and incoming Chairman of the Committee of Ministers Gilbert Saboya, and Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni will hold a press conference at 19:15, at the Hotel Sheraton Tirana. (more...)

Back 23.05.2012 - United Kingdom passes Chairmanship to Albania

The 122nd Session of the Committee of Ministers was held in Strasbourg under the chairmanship of William Hague, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom. The meeting concluded the six months of UK Chairmanship of the Committee, centred chiefly on seeking means to guarantee the continued effectiveness of the European Convention on Human Rights system.

At the close of the meeting, after having presented a stocktaking of his Chairmanship, Mr Hague handed the Chairman's office over to Edmond Haxhinasto, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, who then presented the priorities for his country's six months in the Chair. At that juncture, the new Chairman of the Committee of Ministers referred to the report of the "Group of Eminent Persons" pinpointing the question of "living together in diversity" as a major challenge of the 21st century. Mr Haxhinasto stressed that, proceeding from this determination, the Albanian Chairmanship would have "United in diversity" as its guiding motto.

A press stand-up was scheduled at 3 pm with both incoming and outgoing Chairmen and the Secretary General.

- Greater involvement of Kosovo sought under Albanian chairmanship