Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Chairman of Committee of Ministers, today presented to the Parliamentary Assembly the communication on the activities of the Committee of Ministers.
Minister Mammadyarov gave an overview of the key priorities of the chairmanship of his country. First mentioned was combating corruption, including manipulation of sports competitions. The minister stressed that his country’s chairmanship will do its utmost to secure the adoption as soon as possible by the Committee of Ministers of the draft Council of Europe convention on the manipulation of sport competitions. The promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue and reinforcing Council of Europe’s various undertakings in the field of social cohesion are also among the priorities of the Azerbaijani chairmanship.
The Chairman of the Committee of Ministers also referred to the Vienna ministerial session on 6 May, underlining a number of issues, such as the development of the Council of Europe’s policy towards neighbouring regions and co-operation with the EU Minister Mammadyarov also referred to the Committee willingness to continue providing all assistance requested by the Ukrainian authorities with a view to consolidating democratic institutions in the country. Beyond Ukraine, Minister Mammadyarov mentioned other recent developments within the Committee of Ministers, in particular its decision last week to agree to the request by Kosovo (1) for membership to the Venice Commission.
(1) All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.