Deputy Minister Ivan Kondov participates in the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the organisation
20 May 2024 News
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe. The anniversary was marked with a solemn ceremony during the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on 16 and 17 May in Strasbourg, France. The Republic of Bulgaria was represented by Deputy Minister Ivan Kondov.
Council of Europe member states reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the efforts of the international community to hold the Russian Federation accountable for its aggression. The successful launch of the Register of Damages caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine was reported. Special attention was paid to the protection of Ukrainian children and the need to return to their homeland those who have been forcibly deported to the Russian Federation.
The Council of Europe member states reviewed the implementation of the decisions of the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik in 2023, identifying the tasks to be carried out to work on the priorities identified.
A draft Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law is adopted. The Framework Convention will be the first legally binding international treaty in this area and will be open for signature by States later this year.
During the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Deputy Minister Ivan Kondov noted the importance of the decisions of the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik and the need to continue work on their implementation. He underlined the unwavering support of the Republic of Bulgaria for Ukraine and its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It called for an immediate end to Russian military aggression against Ukraine and an unconditional withdrawal from the occupied Ukrainian territories. He noted that the Republic of Bulgaria is among the leading countries in the world in terms of per capita support to Ukraine. He stressed the need for the Council of Europe to continue the strategic cooperation with like-minded partners, first of which is the European Union. He called for solidarity and support for partners from the Western Balkans and the Black Sea-Caucasus region, which are important for the security and stability of Europe.
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