With the adoption of the revised statute by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe’s drug policy cooperation platform (the “Pompidou Group”) has a renewed foundation to shape its future as the key international reference point for human rights in drug policies. Ambassador Harry Alex Rusz, on behalf of the Hungarian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, welcomed the adoption of the statute, stressing that “this decision provides a strong political impetus for the Pompidou Group's present and future action, 50 years after its creation."
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić emphasised the need to promote an approach based on Council of Europe values, to address drug challenges. “By adopting the revised Statute of the Pompidou Group, the Committee of Ministers has given the Group the adequate political and legal framework to make the voice of the Council of Europe heard and to stimulate its action in this field.”
Portugal, which holds the Presidency of the Pompidou Group as well as the current EU presidency, issued a statement praising the new opportunities offered by this landmark reform. João Goulão, the Portuguese President of the Pompidou Group, noted that the revised statute would “strengthen cooperation between the Pompidou Group and the European Union, including the possibility for the latter to become a member of the Group.” Attracting new partnerships and members while acting as an open platform that brings together key partners inside and outside the Council of Europe, including civil society organisations, to shape the future of drug policy is one of the main targets of the Pompidou Group’s renewed political and legal framework.
Press Release
Pompidou Group 50th Anniversary: Committee of Ministers adopts revised statute
Statement by Portuguese presidency
Resolution of the Committee of Ministers including the revised Pompidou Group statute