“The Council of Europe has an important role to play in assisting our countries in the fight against terrorism, through the arsenal of its legal instruments, while respecting the rule of law and fundamental freedoms,” said Daniel Mitov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, addressing the Assembly today.
“We will give the highest priority to the rapid implementation of the Action Plan on the fight against violent extremism and radicalisation leading to terrorism, adopted in May 2015 by the Committee of Ministers,” stressed Mr Mitov, who also encouraged the governments which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism.
In addition, Mr Mitov recalled the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship, namely: strengthening the protection of the rights of the child and facilitating young people's access to culture; the protection of media from external influence; and protecting the rights of persons belonging to vulnerable groups – including the elderly, disabled, Roma and migrants – as well as preventing their marginalisation and social exclusion.
Finally, Mr Mitov reviewed some of the main activities of the Committee of Ministers since last autumn.
This is the second time since Bulgaria became a member of the Council of Europe in 1992, that it holds the chairmanship of the Organisation.