Working visit of Bulgarian delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg
25 June 2014 News
Bulgarian delegation led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgi Dimitrov, and the Director General of the General Affairs DG ,Rayko Raychev, held a working visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 25 June. The visit marks the beginning of the preparations for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council for the following year.
During the visit, Georgi Dimitrov and Rayko Raychev met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland.This was the first bilateral meeting of the Secretary General after his re-election for a second term. On this occasion, Mr. Dimitrov congratulated him on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin and wished him a successful mandate in the interests of the member states of the organization.
At the meeting they discussed Bulgaria's cooperation with the Council and its positive role in the democratic changes in the country over the past 20 years. They also exchanged views on the reform of the organization and the challenges it faces which will be considered in the preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency. Topic of conversation was also the Secretary General's report on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.
During the visit to the Council of Europe, the Bulgarian delegation also held meetings with the Deputy Secretary General of the Council, the Directors General for Democracy and Human Rights, the Director General and Secretary of the Committee of Ministers, the Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary General and the Director of Political Affairs of the CoE,discussing specific aspects of the organization of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council.