17th Informal Meeting of European Sports Ministers
20-21 October 2006

In partnership with the Russian Federation, the Council of Europe held the 17th Informal Meeting of European Sports Ministers in Moscow on 20 - 21 October 2006.



At the end of their meeting, the Ministers of Sport of the 49 countries party to the Council of Europe's European Cultural Convention, recommended the establishment of an Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) to reinforce pan-European sports co-operation.


The Ministers encouraged member states and non-member states of the Council of Europe to accede to the EPAS as soon as possible. Other international organisations, international sports federations, as well as sports NGOs, have been invited to become active partners of the EPAS.

The new agreement would provide an opportunity for European sports organisations to actively participate in the decision-making process so that they can influence the policies and instruments which the agreement will produce. 

Conclusions and adopted resolutions


Opening speeches 20/10/06
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Günther Krug, member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Press Releases
Final Press release 23/10/06
Press release
12/10/06
Press release 29/9/06
Secretary General presents blueprint for pan-european co-operation in sport

In his address to participants at a UEFA / Parliamentary Assembly conference held in Strasbourg on 29 September, Terry Davis outlined a new Council of Europe proposal which would provide a European platform for cooperation in sport.

Press release 29/9/06
Council of Europe Publications
Sport and violence in Europe

Hooliganism, violent behavior in stadiums, a notable increase in racist and xenophobic attitudes, doping, corruption, cheating, wheeling-and-dealing: have we forgotten the true concept of participation in sport?

Publication link




  Practical information

Link to logistical information

  Background documents
  Draft Agenda
  Council of Europe and Sport
"Sport for all" special file
DGIV File on Sport
SPRINT Programme
  Treaties and Conventions
European Sports Charter
Code of Sports Ethics
European cultural convention
Anti-doping convention
Additional protocol to the anti-doping convention
European convention on spectator violence