Secretary General Alain Berset of the 46-member Council of Europe will visit Vienna on 11 June for meetings with Austrian leaders and representatives of international organisations at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty for Europe.
During his visit, the Secretary General will address the permanent council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), where he will exchange with ambassadors of the 57 OSCE participating States. He will also meet with OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu.
The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE, building on their complementary roles in promoting human rights, the rule of law and comprehensive security across the continent.
Alain Berset to discuss Europe’s pressing challenges
The Secretary General will also hold discussions with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Christian Stocker, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss major challenges that Europe faces, including support for Ukraine, migration, democratic resilience, international security and the protection of human rights and the rule of law. Discussions will also highlight the importance of strengthening international cooperation in response to evolving security risks and preserving the democratic foundations on which lasting peace and stability depend.
Against this backdrop, the Secretary General will present key Council of Europe initiatives to reinforce democratic security across the continent, including the New Democratic Pact for Europe and the political declaration on the European Convention on Human Rights and migration adopted by Council of Europe member states in Chișinău in May.
Secretary General Alain Berset
The Council of Europe and Austria
How does the Council of Europe relate to other international organisations?
