Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers

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Austria hands over chairmanship to Azerbaijan

Austria hands over chairmanship to Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan took over from Austria the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for a period of six months beginning on 14 May.

On 6 May in Vienna, at the end of the 124th session of the Committee of Ministers, the outgoing Chair, Sebastian Kurz, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria, gave an overview of his country's achievements during its chairmanship. Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, then presented the priorities of his country’s chairmanship.

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Back Protect journalists and fight human trafficking - Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz outlines Austrian priorities to Parliamentary Assembly

Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers
Sebastian Kurz

Sebastian Kurz

In a speech today to the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz stressed the need to defend freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

A free press is a "basic condition for democracy" he told assembled parliamentarians. "Journalists need protection." 

Referring to his country's role ofchairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, Kurz lamented the fact that "on this day of Holocaust remembrance, we should be aware that we are still not free from racism and discrimination and anti-Semitism."

"We must work together to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees" who are "especially victims of discrimination."

He highlighted Austria's role in the fight against human trafficking, informing parliamentarians of a Council of Europe conference in Vienna to be held on 17-18 February in cooperation with the OSCE.

Mr. Kurz stressed free access to the Internet and protection of private data, highlighting an important conference on those themes to be held on 13-14 March in Graz.

He mentioned that Austria joined the Council of Europe in 1956, and has represented three Secretary Generals since then.

Video of the debate
Speech
Austria and the Council of Europe

Strasbourg 27/01/2014
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