News

Neris Germanas, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania took part at the 123rd session of theCommittee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on the 16th May and encouraged to strengthen the Organization’s monitoring mechanisms in order to control more effectively how countries fulfill their obligations in terms of respecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

In his speech, the Deputy Minister emphasized that “better coordination of monitoring mechanisms, improved processing of their data and dialogue-based assistance to the Member States should be the guiding principles for our further discussions.” He also reminded that on the 14th May, 2013 Lithuania celebrated the 20th anniversary of her membership in the Council of Europe, and that during her up-coming Presidency of the EU, Lithuania will “stand ready to assist in forging the bonds between the EU and the Council of Europe.”

At the session Lithuania supported the reforms that are currently being implemented upon the European Court of Human Rights. The Ministers also adopted, the 15th Protocol, allowing the European Court of Human Rights to examine the cases more effectively, and partially amending the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The session became the closing event of the last six months of the Andorra’s Chairmanship for the Council of Europe – the duty is now handed over to Armenia.

Neris Germanas speech during the seesion.