As delivered by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Minister,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here in Baku and to launch the new Council of Europe Action Plan for Azerbaijan.

This Plan has been carefully put together by our Organisation and Azerbaijan’s national authorities, working in tandem towards a common goal.

With a four-year perspective, it sets clear objectives and parameters –

Supporting this country’s reform priorities and helping to bring legislation and practice further into line with Council of Europe standards.

For this, it draws on our Organisation’s standard-setting work –

And on the findings of our advisory and monitoring bodies.

The aim – our shared aim – is to ensure that the people of Azerbaijan benefit from the full enjoyment of their human rights;

Democratic governance, with strong civic participation;

And the justice that comes with the rule of law.

This joint approach is not new.

Country-specific action plans are always developed by the Council of Europe and the member state involved, working together.

And what we are launching today is in fact the third such plan for Azerbaijan –

Building on the tangible results that have already been delivered.

Let me give you some examples.

From the previous action plan, there have been important steps taken to strengthen human rights protections.

Through our online HELP Programme, nearly 1 000 legal professionals from across Azerbaijan have increased their understanding of European human rights standards – and their capacity to apply them too.

And in 2019 this country took a very positive step in ratifying the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Since then a gap analysis has shown what needs to be done to implement the Convention when it comes to tackling exploitation and abuse online.

This covers the legislation, policies and practice required.

As ever, changes to the law are important, but it is their implementation that leads to real change.

And we look forward to the Lanzarote Convention putting down deeper roots here in the years to come.

On promoting democracy, the role of civil society and its dialogue with the Ombudsperson has been strengthened –

Not least through a new anti-discrimination, pro-equality platform that brings together a range of civil society organisations.

And 700 young leaders and youth workers, some from remote areas of the country, have had the opportunity to learn about the Council of Europe’s approach, standards and resources –

With a focus on youth participation, democratic citizenship education and non-formal learning.

On the rule of law, there has been important progress too.

The Council of Europe has helped Azerbaijan to draft and review its new Enforcement Code.

This is designed to support the better execution of court decisions in civil, commercial and administrative matters at national level – and in line with European standards.

Training and courses on efficient court management and quality of justice have been developed for the Justice Academy of Azerbaijan to use in the course curricula of judges and court staff.

And legal opinions and technical papers have been designed to strengthen the national legislative framework on anti-money laundering, countering terrorist financing, and asset recovery –

With draft laws and amendments now pending adoption.

In addition, nearly 500 journalists and civil society representatives have been trained on Council of Europe standards on gender equality and media freedom.

So, good things have been achieved.

But challenges persist in areas such as freedom of expression, independence of elections, justice, and civil society.

And I have no doubt that - together – more progress will be made.

But the new action plan is not confined to previous subjects.

It also takes in new areas of co-operation.

These include artificial intelligence, and the environment and climate change –

As well as trafficking in human beings, illicit trafficking in drugs and drug abuse.

There is of course a focus on legislative reforms.

But, equally, there is an emphasis on the importance of consolidation and the sustainability of reforms –

And a determination to ensure that these make a clear and positive impact on the lives of Azerbaijan’s citizens.

There will also be the potential to seek results through regional projects.

Azerbaijan has already done this alongside other Eastern Partnership countries, achieving positive outcomes.

And the European Union and Council of Europe’s Joint Regional Programme “Partnership for Good Governance” offers a good platform for more.

When it comes to financing the activities, the overall budget for the Action Plan is around 9.6 million euros.

1.1 million has already been secured.

And I take this opportunity to thank the donors who helped to implement the previous Action Plan, and on whose generosity we will depend for this one too.

Our biggest donor in this respect is the European Union.

And it’s a very good fit.

Because the EU, the Council of Europe and Azerbaijan share a commitment to advancing human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

And with this Action Plan, that is exactly what we will do.

Thank you.