On behalf of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairmanship of the Committee of the Ministers of the Council of Europe we would like to welcome the first meeting of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, which is starting today, Monday 21 September, in Strasbourg.
We consider that the beginning of the effective monitoring of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, which is one of key priorities of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairmanship, is an important and concrete step in preventing violence against women and domestic violence, which remains unfortunately a problem faced by countries throughout the world. We strongly hope for a wide and rapid accession to the convention of all 47 Council of Europe member States and beyond.