“The best results can only be achieved by working hand in hand with the Assembly”, today said Marina Kaljurand, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers. Presenting Estonia’s priorities for the six-month period of its Chairmanship, Ms Kaljurand referred to human rights and the rule of law on the Internet, gender equality, children’s rights as an integral part of human rights and Council of Europe’s co-operation with other international organisations.
Among other key issues, Ms Kaljurand referred to combating violent extremism, radicalisation and terrorism as a crucial goal, “as the recent events in Turkey, France and the United States have so tragically reminded us”, she said.
The Estonian Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the Committee of Ministers recently welcomed the progress made on implementing the Action Plan they had adopted the previous year and called for as many states as possible to sign the Council of Europe conventions in this area.
“To date, the Protocol on foreign terrorist fighters, which was opened for signature in Riga in October 2015, has already been signed by 29 states and by the EU. This is good news but we can do better. We must continue to draw members States’ attention to the importance of this treaty so as to ensure its entry into force as soon as possible. And for this, dear members of the Assembly, we look for your help and the influence you have in your respective parliaments”, she said.