Posted by 
“Over the next six months, my country will render its strong support and invest its efforts around three key pillars of the Council of Europe – human rights, rule of law and democracy”
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has presented priorities of the Chairmanship of the Republic of Azerbaijan of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Foreign Ministry’s press service told APA. Delivering a speech at the 124th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Elmar Mammadyarov said that chairmanship of Azerbaijan came at a historic moment when the Organization celebrates its 65th anniversary.
“Over the next six months, my country will render its strong support and invest its efforts around three key pillars of the Council of Europe – human rights, rule of law and democracy. Upholding and promoting core values of the Council of Europe will be at the center of all our activities and undertakings during this period. The key priorities of the Azerbaijani chairmanship have been identified by taking full account of topical and pressing issues persisting on the agenda of the Council of Europe, as well as Azerbaijan’s positive record and comparative advantages. The Chairmanship of Azerbaijan will seek consensual decisions in the spirit of compromise, through reinforced dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.
Enhanced co-operation in combating corruption will be one of the key priorities of Azerbaijani chairmanship. We will contribute to the efforts of the Council of Europe, which has also declared combating corruption as one of its priority tasks, by organizing a dedicated high-level conference in Baku in cooperation with the International Anti-Corruption Academy. This conference will provide an opportunity to exchange views on national experiences and best practices through highlighting the implementation of anti-corruption laws and ensuring preventive measures.
During its Chairmanship Azerbaijan will contribute to combating discrimination and intolerance in Europe not least through highlighting the role of intercultural dialogue. Experiencing itself large-scale displacement due to Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan will undoubtedly pay close attention to the protection of human rights of internally displaced persons, a vulnerable segment of the population, within relevant activities of the Chairmanship
Baku will host two important events under this priority line of action, namely the 4th regional ministerial meeting on the implementation of the European Higher Education Area and UN Global Forum on Youth Policy. The Chairmanship of Azerbaijan intends to support the Council of Europe’s efforts in this area through organizing high-level Ministerial conference devoted to the neighborhood policy of the Council of Europe in Baku in September 2014. 18 events will be held in Azerbaijan over the next 6 months and I extend our kind invitation to you and your colleagues to visit our country during this period,” he said.
Apa.az
