Armenia becomes chairman of Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe for six months

Armenia assumed today chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.The priorities as well as objectives of the Armenian Chairmanship have been defined in response to the challenges that the Council of Europe member states are facing today with regard to the protection of human rights, further strengthening of democracy and respect for the rule of law. During its chairmanship Armenia will endeavour to bring its contribution to strengthening the capabilities of the organisation and maximising the efforts in addressing the challenges in the Council of Europe’s fields of excellence, with specific focus on issues which are the most pertinent and require immediate action.At the end of October a conference of the Council of Europe at the highest level will be held in Yerevan to combat racism and xenophobia. Campaigns in Strasbourg are planned within the No Hate Speech Movement.Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is passed on in alphabetical order. After Armenia, on November 13, 2013 the presidency will pass to Austria.