High level conference concludes Albanian Chairmanship

Strasbourg, 08.11.2012 - "Diversity in Europe: a Strength for the Future" – the title of the high level conference in Tirana on 9 November – summarises the concept that has guided Council of Europe activities since Albania took over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers in May. The conference will focus on dialogue with Mediterranean neighbours and the promotion of intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, through education to democratic citizenship values.

Following a welcome speech by Edmond Panariti, Albanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, Bujar Nishani, President of the Republic of Albania, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations will address the inaugural session of the Conference.

The Conference will be followed by a meeting for the handover of the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers to Andorra.

Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti, Andorran Foreign Minister and incoming Chairman of the Committee of Ministers Gilbert Saboya, and Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni will hold a press conference at 19:15, at the Hotel Sheraton Tirana. (more...)

Back 06.10.2012 - Co-operation with the OSCE

On 6 October 2012 the Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti addressed the Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, held in Tirana. In his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister Panariti outlined his country's Chairmanship priorities to OSCE parliamentarians and signaled areas where co-operation between the two organisations could be strengthened. In particular, he referred to:

• The realisation of a Euro-Atlantic Security Community based on the universality of the values of democracy and rule of law;
• The need to strengthen cooperation and assistance to Mediterranean countries in democratic transition;
• The importance of furthering co-operation with regard to the protection and promotion of human rights, while preserving complementarities and avoiding duplication.
• The promotion of intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and non-discrimination.

Minister Panariti highlighted that these four areas are a solid base for strengthening security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region.