The Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe today passed from Croatia to Finland, at a meeting at the Organisation’s Strasbourg headquarters, attended by representatives of its 47 member States.
The outgoing Chair, Marija Pejčinović Burić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, gave an overview of her country’s achievements.
The new Chair of the Committee of Ministers, Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, presented the priorities of the Finnish Presidency which will run for six months.
Gender equality is a key priority for the Finnish Presidency. In particular, the new Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018–2023 is recognised as an essential tool and its implementation will be promoted. A conference will be held to bring attention to the priority of eliminating sexism and stereotypes. Harassment and hate speech towards women, along with stereotypical treatment of women at work and in the media, weakens women’s ability to exercise their rights and pursue opportunities. Harassment and hate speech are negative phenomena that need to be fully eliminated.
Other priorities include strengthening the system of human rights and the rule of law in Europe and promoting an open and inclusive society (with a focus on young people and the prevention of radicalization).
