Albanian Chairmanship of Council of Europe calls for ‘upgrade’ of co-operation with OSCE

VIENNA, 14 June 2012 - Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto, speaking today in Vienna in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, outlined his country’s Chairmanship priorities to OSCE participating States and pointed to areas for further strengthening co-operation between the two organizations.

“The continuation of the enduring partnership between the Council of Europe and the OSCE is instrumental to the realization of a Euro-Atlantic Security Community based on the universality of the values of democracy and rule of law,” said Haxhinasto. 

“The fulfilment of this vision calls for concrete steps to upgrade our co-operation in the field of elections, in the protection of national minorities, in the fight against intolerance and discrimination, terrorism and trafficking in human beings, while preserving complementarity and avoiding duplication.”

Assistance to Mediterranean countries in democratic transition was another area where co-operation between the two organizations “could have an incredible potential for success and impact,” he said.

Haxhinasto highlighted “intercultural dialogue and tolerance, especially for the younger generation,” as a priority for the Albanian Chairmanship, as well as local and regional democracy, the protection of human rights, including children’s and women’s rights, and deepening regional integration in the Western Balkans.

Albania, one of the 56 OSCE participating States, took up the six-month Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May.