As delivered

Dear Ambassadors and staff of Permanent Representations and Observers,

Dear colleagues, dear friends,

I am very pleased to welcome you to this second open day of the Office of the Directorate General of Programmes. It is an opportunity to learn more about the work of ODGP, and to talk directly to its staff.

I consider myself well-placed to say a word or two about ODGP.

Five years ago I was honoured to be asked by the Secretary General to become the first leader of this exciting new mission, when ODGP was established. Since becoming Deputy Secretary General, I have continued to follow its work very closely. And I can confidently say that ODGP has taken our strategic programming, fundraising and field presence to a completely new level.

The Directorate delivers strategic programming by turning our political priorities into concrete programmes. It brings perspective, structure and proper management to the Council of Europe’s action plans and neighbourhood co-operation. It works closely with national authorities. It raises funds and runs our field offices.

All of this is critical for the Council of Europe. We can all agree that there is plenty of work for our Organisation at this present time. Europe’s democracies are under pressure: the refugee crisis; ongoing economic hardship; the terror threat; growing tension in our societies; conflict in and around Ukraine; the problems are many.

To help our members navigate these challenges we need two things. Common standards and joint initiatives, which involve all 47 member states. And we need bespoke co-operation, tailored to suit the needs of the specific country in question, or to address the specific theme. For this second element of our work, ODGP is vital.

We would not have the recognition we have today, among our partners, without this structured and strategic approach to country and thematic co-operation.

We could not carry out the immense amount of tailor-made support, which requires extra-budgetary resources which ODGP helps bring in.

And where would we be without a solid network of offices, which allow us to conduct our work right in the heart of your capitals?

I am especially glad to see several Heads of Offices here this morning. Without your efforts – on the ground – the Council of Europe simply could not have the same impact.

Right now you manage 280 colleagues, throughout the 17 field offices. This is more than ever before. It shows that our policy of decentralisation is working. ODGP itself is a case in point: most of its staff actually works out in the field.

Let me also say a word about the funding of it all.

Last year, more than €61 million was accepted by the Secretary General in extra-budgetary resources. This is – yet again – a new record for our Organisation.

Our co-operation with the European Union remains very important, with whom we are close political partners, and from whom our joint projects received €43 million in 2015.

And, in the same year, no less than 38 member states made voluntary contributions. I am also very happy to see the continuous support of our Observers to our co-operation activities.

All of this shows a great deal of confidence from our members and partners, for which we remain very grateful, and for which we work every day.

Those relationships are based on trust, and on shared values. We strive constantly to provide the best possible service, with maximum impact for Europe’s citizens, looking always to ensure value for money.

I hope that, in these challenging times for our continent, the Council of Europe will be able to count on the continued trust and support of all those we work with. We remain dedicated to a Europe which is safe, stable and democratic. Our Organisation has a vital role to play in helping deliver it, and it is a responsibility we take extremely seriously.

With that, I wish you all the best for the day. I hope that you will leave here knowing even more about the tremendous efforts of ODGP.