During the meeting with Ukrainian journalists in Strasbourg Thorbjorn JAGLAND, Secretary General of the Council of Europe,pointed out that Belarus has to be a member of the European institutions. Does the CoE have the instruments allowing it to positively influence Belarus in terms of development of civil society and democratic institutions? Look for the answers to this question in The Day’s special interview with Thorbjorn JAGLAND, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
“The Council of Europe reacted swiftly to the events following the December 19 presidential election in Belarus. The Committee of Ministers called for the immediate release of the arrested presidential candidates, journalists and human rights activists. It also said that it would continue to support the establishment of closer relations between the Council of Europe and Belarus only on the basis of respect for European values and principles.
“On January 27, 2011, the Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution on the situation in Belarus in the aftermath of the presidential election, in which it outlines its intention to strengthen dialogue with Belarus’ democratic forces, civil society, opposition groups, free media and human rights defenders.
“The Council of Europe has proposed a series of activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society and independent media in Belarus to bring about substantial and sustainable progress in the fields of democracy, rule of law and human rights. In this context, the Council of Europe’s Conference of NGOs plays a significant role in maintaining and developing contacts with non-governmental organizations in Belarus.
“Besides the program of activities, I would like to say that Belarus has also been a party to the European Cultural Convention since 1993 and joined the Group of States against Corruption in January this year. The prolongation of the ‘Council of Europe Information Point’ in Minsk is currently under discussion with the Belarusian State University.”
Source
