State Secretary Kim Traavik will on that occasion participate in the meeting of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg on 10 November. At the same time Norway will ratify Protocol No 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Norway will conclude its six-month chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 10 November. On that occasion State Secretary Kim Traavik will participate in the meeting of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg. Poland will take over the chairmanship after Norway.

- The Norwegian chairmanship has coincided with a period of important changes in Europe. Efforts to promote human rights, democracy and good governance are essential for the realisation of an undivided Europe. The Council of Europe has both the ability and the will to continue to play a significant role in this process, said Mr Traavik.

Norway will conclude its chairmanship by ratifying Protocol No 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights. The protocol is a key element in a reform package designed to make the European Court of Human Rights more efficient.

- The implementation of the reform has been a priority during the Norwegian chairmanship. We will continue to work actively to ensure rapid implementation of the various measures to secure legal safeguards for the individual in Europe, said Mr Traavik.

Protocol No 14 paves the way for a more efficient appeal system designed to reduce the number of unfounded appeals, which at present consume vast resources. Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights will be able to weed out cases that have been given due consideration by a national court of law, and where the alleged human rights violations have not caused the appellant any significant inconvenience. For further information about Protocol No 14, see the press release of 22 October 2004.

During its chairmanship Norway has attached importance to promoting the core values of the Council of Europe: Human rights, democracy-building and good governance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has co-operated with various ministries in Norway and in other member countries on a number of activities and seminars that have focused on the efforts of the Council of Europe in these fields. This autumn Foreign Minister Petersen visited the Western Balkans and the Southern Caucasus in his capacity as chairman. The Council of Europe plays an important role in the endeavours to promote stabile and democratic development in these regions.

“We think there is a need for a clearer division of labour between the Council of Europe and the OSCE. During our chairmanship we have initiated a process to improve the co-ordination and practical co-operation between the two organisations,” said State Secretary Traavik.