The chief of Polish diplomacy was joined in Warsaw by the Council of Europe Secretary General, Vice-Rector of the University of Warsaw Maciej Duszczyk, and Finland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Anne Sipiläinen at the opening of a conference on the role and position of non-governmental organizations in the Council of Europe. “On its 70th anniversary, Poland decided to provide a platform for open discussion about the role and participation of non-governmental organizations in the activities of the Council of Europe,” Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said in his opening remarks. “The importance of the civil society and enhancement of NGO participation in the Council of Europe was one of the key elements of the Declaration and Action Plan adopted at the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe which took place here in Warsaw, in May 2005,” he added.

The Secretary General’s visit to Warsaw was an opportunity to discuss the Council of Europe’s achievements 70 years after it was established. During his talks with Poland’s top diplomat, Thorbjørn Jagland explored possible avenues for reforming and strengthening the Council of Europe in the face of current political and financial challenges. The officials agreed that the Council of Europe is generally seen as a guardian of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law on our continent. It is therefore very important to look for ways of making it more effective, and of deepening cooperation with civil society. “In Poland’s opinion, active contribution of the civil society can provide significant support for the organization and its monitoring bodies in crucially important and difficult work on ensuring respect for human rights, democracy and rule of law,” said the Polish foreign minister. The bilateral meeting also reviewed political developments across our continent.

While in Warsaw, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe held a number of meetings with Polish officials, including Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchciński and Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin. The talks focused on key elements of the Polish presence in the Council of Europe, including the Polish delegation’s involvement with the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly.

Established in 1949, the Council of Europe brings together 47 European countries, with the exception of Belarus. Japan, Canada, Mexico, the United States and the Holy See have observer status in the organization. The Council’s headquarters are in Strasbourg.

The Council of Europe’s mission is to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law, to harmonize social and legal practices of the member states, to promote a European awareness based on common values, and to fight intolerance.

The adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950 and the establishment of the European Court of Human Rights as the Convention’s guardian are generally considered as the major achievements of the Council of Europe. Moreover, the Council is active in areas which are not directly linked with human rights, such as legal cooperation, social affairs, and cultural and scientific collaboration. The functioning of local governments has become another field of its competence. Over 200 international agreements have been concluded under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

Poland joined the Council of Europe on 26 November 1991, and has been a party to the European Convention on Human Rights since 19 January 1993. On 1 May 1993, Poland recognized the Court’s jurisdiction and the right to apply to the organs provided for by the Convention. Furthermore, Poland is a party to 94 other Council of Europe conventions.

 

MFA Press Office

 

Fot. Tymon Markowski / MFA