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Atzo Nicolaï, Minister for European Affairs of the Netherlands : The Third Summit, an opportunity to focus anew on Council of Europe activities

Question : How do you see co-operation between the Council of Europe and the European Union following the EU enlargement? In your opinion, which are the priority areas of this co-operation?

Atzo Nicolaï : As I said before, the Council of Europe can be instrumental in the further development of the relations between the Union and its neighbours. The two organisations should combine their own strong capacities in the European effort to strengthen the rule of law, democracy and human rights. This co-operation should ensure that all European countries are united in their common endeavour for greater European unity in which our shared values are upheld.

Question : What contribution could the European Union make to the 3rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, which will take place on 16 and 17 May 2005 in Warsaw?

Atzo Nicolaï : The Third Summit is of vital importance for the future functioning of the Council of Europe in the aftermath of the recent enlargement of the European Union. As I said earlier, it is a chance to revitalise the Council of Europe in overcoming dividing lines in Europe. A fruitful summit should redefine the relationship between the Council of Europe, the EU, OSCE and the UN. A quantitative and qualitative step towards multilateral co-operation in Europe.

The Third Summit is also an opportunity to achieve a new focus on the activities undertaken by the Council of Europe. Human rights, democracy and rule of law have been the main assets of the Organisation and should remain the priorities of the Council. It is my opinion that the Council of Europe should continue to focus on these three issues. However, in a wider perspective it ought to also aim for the creation and maintenance of an environment conducive to the implementation of human rights, democracy and justice in Europe. In this respect, the Council of Europe should not neglect activities that can increase the level of social cohesion for instance.

Question : A series of conferences on the European values are currently being organised at the initiative of your Presidency. How much in these discussions should be devoted to the acquis of the Council of Europe?

Atzo Nicolaï : In the discussions of the Nexus-conferences, we speak on European values. In Warsaw, Berlin and Washington, we will raise questions such as: “Can we agree on common values?”, “How can we use these values to win the hearts of the European citizen?”, “How can these values inspire us in our policy making and our relations with the other parts of the world?” In my view, European values do not belong to institutions or organisations, but to our common European heritage. Therefore, I take it that implicitly or explicitly, the acquis of the Council of Europe is part and parcel of the discussion.