At their 1448th meeting, on 16 November, the Ministers’ Deputies adopted the adjustments to the 2023 budget which constitutes the second of a three-step approach on the budgetary and financial implications of the cessation of membership of the Russian Federation in the Council of Europe. The Deputies also decided, in the framework of laying out the foundations for the third and final step of this approach, that a new four-year Programme and Budget as from 2024 would be prepared in light of their reflection on the long-term strategic role of the Organisation and building on the outcome of the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government taking place in May 2023.

Following a presentation by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Deputies held an exchange of views on the 26th consolidated report on the conflict in Georgia, with the participation of Mr Lasha Darsalia, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia [more information …].

They also held exchanges of views with Mr Ásmundur Einar Daðason, Minister of Education and Children of Iceland, and Ms Maria-José Castello-Branco, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee of the Parties (Lanzarote Committee) to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. In addition, on the occasion of the 8th European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (18 November 2022), a joint statement was issued by five Council of Europe member States (Andorra, Belgium, Monaco, San Marino and Slovenia) and supported by 40 other Council of Europe member States, as well as by Mexico [more information ...].

The other items examined by the Deputies appear in the Agenda and the decisions adopted are available in the meeting file.