1. The Committee of
Ministers examined thoroughly Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2199 (2021) “The Assembly’s vision on the strategic priorities for
the Council of Europe” in the context of the preparation of the
131st Session of the Committee of Ministers
(Hamburg (videoconference), 21 May 2021).
2. In this respect, the Committee of Ministers recalls its decisions
adopted in Hamburg on “The Strategic Framework of the Council of
Europe and forthcoming activities”, and their Annex: “The Council
of Europe in the coming four years”. It recalls that it noted that
“The Committee of Ministers has the key role in providing political guidance,
leadership and impetus to the work of the Organisation, while recognising
the important role of the Parliamentary Assembly in supporting democracy
and taking political initiatives, and acknowledging the executive
functions of the Secretary General, being responsible for the overall
co‑ordination, communication and implementation of the Programme
and Budget of the Organisation.” (paragraph 6).
3. It also underlined that: “Since the Ministerial Session in
Helsinki in 2019, contacts and co-operation between the statutory
organs of the Organisation – the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary
Assembly and the Secretary General – have improved considerably,
facilitating more co-ordinated and effective responses to current
and emerging challenges. The Parliamentary Assembly has made a constructive contribution
with its report: The Assembly’s vision on the strategic priorities
for the Council of Europe.” (paragraph 7).
