Estonia’s Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand addresses PC, expresses support for Europe’s fundamental values – human rights, democracy and rule of law

VIENNA, 26 May 2016 – Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today Estonia’s Foreign Minister and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers Marina Kaljurand underlined her country’s strong support for Europe’s fundamental values – human rights, democracy and the rule of law – and called for mutual efforts and co-operation in addressing the unresolved protracted conflicts.

“We appreciate the leading role of the OSCE in conflict resolution to the crisis in and around Ukraine. Restoring security requires collective efforts of the parties involved,” she said.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister also highly commended the co-operation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe in observing elections, promoting tolerance, combating terrorism, extremism and radicalization, as well as in preventing cybercrime and on migration.

“We recognize the significant role and value highly the work done by the OSCE, its field operations and independent institutions. Their contribution to conflict prevention and democracy building is of utmost importance.”

Minister Kaljurand also announced the priorities of the Estonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers: human rights and the rule of law on the Internet, gender equality, and children’s rights.

“We hold the Council of Europe in high regard as an organization for creating norms and standards. In our second chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, we aim to reflect in the Council of Europe the same spirit of leadership and inspiration, which our country has benefited from in the past 23 years,” the Estonian Foreign Minster concluded.