18/11/2014 Standing Committee
“We have the enormous responsibility of working together to find solutions to defend democracy, human rights and the rule of law, because we know that our principles and values are under serious threat,” said Anne Brasseur at the opening of the meeting of the Standing Committee in Brussels today.
“Your country is taking over the Chairmanship of our Organisation at a difficult time for Europe, when diplomacy, wisdom and commitment to our shared values are particularly necessary for success,” she added, addressing Didier Reynders, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs in his capacity as the new Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. She paid tribute to his commitment to dialogue and his intention to travel to Kyiv and Moscow in order to help find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine. “As you will be aware, our Assembly has also opted for the path of dialogue. Last week I went to Moscow with my fellow members of the Presidential Committee to continue discussions with our Russian colleagues and try to find solutions,” she said.
She also praised the commitment of the Belgian Chairmanship to develop synergies between the Council of Europe and the other organisations that play a vital role in the European architecture, and its support for the “No to hate speech” campaign.