Foreign Minister takes part in Council of Europe Ministerial Meeting

The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation comprised of 47 member states. The Council works to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law.     

‘The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the full importance of the efforts of the Council of Europe. To deal successfully with major crises of this type, we must remain true to the fundamental principles on which our societies are built. The Council of Europe has highlighted the need for the emergency coronavirus measures taken by countries to be necessary, proportionate, non-discriminatory, of limited duration, subject to checks and balances, and in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights obligations. I would like to thank the Greek and the previous Georgian presidencies for their efforts, and I wish the incoming German presidency every success,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.    

The session will be held on the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights.

‘The European Convention on Human Rights has significantly influenced the development of the human rights situation in Europe, and its standards have been incorporated into the national laws and legal systems of many countries. The European Court of Human Rights has played a crucial role in monitoring the convention and providing key guidelines on how to interpret its provisions,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide. 

Read the statement.

Press contact: Communications adviser Marte Lerberg Kopstad