President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s support for the Council of Europe and its institutions during a visit to the organisation’s headquarters in Strasbourg, where he met the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland before making a speech at the European Court of Human Rights.
During a joint press statement with Secretary General Jagland, President Macron underlined the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights, which he described as a model and inspiration for humanity. He also emphasised that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with respect for human rights and in particular for the Convention. He thanked the Secretary General for his efforts to promote human rights cooperation with all member states. Close cooperation with the Council of Europe would continue, promised President Macron, especially in the context of the upcoming French chairmanship of the organisation’s Committee of Ministers, scheduled for 2019.
For his part, Secretary General Jagland described the President’s visit as a historic moment for the Council of Europe, and welcomed France’s support for the organisation’s work to protect human rights for the continent’s 830 million citizens.
After meeting with the Secretary General, President Macron met judges at the European Court of Human Rights, before making a speech in the main hearing room to an audience of senior political, judicial and diplomatic figures, in which he made a strong appeal for the defence of human rights and the strengthening of the Council of Europe as a pan-European organisation.
