OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, in address to Council of Europe, calls for defence of human rights

STRASBOURG, France, 27 February 2019 – Presenting the priorities of the 2019 Slovak OSCE Chairmanship to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg today, Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajčák called on all 47 Member States of the Council of Europe to defend institutions, rules and effective multilateralism. 

“Human rights”, he said speaking at Europe’s leading human rights organization, “need defence and renewal. So let´s continue the trek towards a future where democracy flourishes, autocracy fails and the human rights of every woman, man, boy and girl are guaranteed.”

Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is currently preparing for its 70th anniversary. “For seven decades, this Council has been preserving and promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. But – fortunately - for a long time now, it does not stand alone. Built on the same ideals of security and democratic governance – the OSCE tied together over a billion people spanning three continents,” – the Minister stated.

The two organizations “translate the words of human rights into the reality of people´s everyday lives” and “have close and solid co-operation” – he continued.

Praising the long-standing relations between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office pointed out similar challenges facing the two organizations - from shrinking resources to maintaining trust and constructive dialogue between the participating or member States, despite their differences in mandate, membership or functions.

Before concluding his address, he urged all Member States to work together more closely: “Different characteristics must be seen and utilized as comparative advantages - creating space for complementarity of actions.”

While in Strasbourg, Lajčák also met with Council of Europe Secretary-General Jagland.