Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, currently Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, says that Ukraine wants to see tolerant, open and mutually supportive societies based on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, thrive across Europe.

Speaking today to the Assembly, he said that Ukraine has agreed shared priorities for its period in office, with protection of children’s rights topping the list. The priorities will be continued by the UK and Albania – next in line to assume the six-month chairmanship of the Council of Europe, and they build on the achievements of the Turkish chairmanship that preceded it. Ukraine plans to launch a consultation process to prepare a new Council of Europe Strategy on the rights of the child for 2012-2015.