10/10/2011 President
Strasbourg, 10.10.2011 – Speaking at a forum in Baku on the humanitarian aspects of the challenges of the 21st century, PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that overcoming prejudice, discrimination and xenophobia through a truly intercultural model of “living together” is a key challenge for Europe and the world.
The President spelled out a series of concrete steps to promote “living together” in Europe, including encouraging politicians to speak up for tolerance, an annual Forum against Extremism, and a major campaign on living together.
The President also commended the Council of Europe’s work to build democratic stability and good governance in its neighbouring regions, not least through the Assembly’s new “Partnership for democracy” status. “By providing support to our neighbours in building stable democratic institutions, promoting human rights and sustainable development, we are addressing the root causes of humanitarian disasters,” he pointed out. “Otherwise, even with the best co-ordination mechanisms possible, our efforts will not be sustainable”.
The President concluded: “For our response to be effective, we have to stay united around the univeral fundamental values which help us make progress – democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
As well as participating in the forum, Mr Cavusoglu also met the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Milli Mejlis and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.