Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche, T.D., welcomes efforts to reform and revitalise the Council of Europe and to reform procedures in the European Court of Human Rights

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The Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche, T.D., welcomes efforts to reform and revitalise the Council of Europe and to reform procedures in the European Court of Human Rights

Addressing the Council of Europe Ministerial in Strasbourg today, the Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche, T.D., said:

“Europe is at a time of deep economic crisis.  However, such crises can also present us with an opportunity to reform the way we operate and re-visit how we implement basic principles.  This applies as much to the Council of Europe as to any national government or multilateral body”.

Minister Roche also said: 

“The reform work underway within the Secretariat of the Council of Europe is mirrored by equally important reform efforts at the European Court of Human Rights.  In particular, the ratification of Protocol No. 14 will assist in streamlining the work of the European Court of Human Rights.  In February, Ministers in Interlaken also set in train initiatives for further changes in how the Court operates.”

Welcoming the specific proposal for the Council of Europe to open an office in Vienna to liaise with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Minister noted:

“We attach particular significance to this proposed enhanced co-operation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE.  As Chair of the OSCE in 2012, one of our priorities will be to ensure an effective working relationship between the OSCE and the Council of Europe.”

Concluding his statement, the Minister wished the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia a successful six months with its upcoming chairmanship and said he was confident that it will build on the significant achievements over the past year.

Note for Editors

The Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche T.D., is attending today the annual Council of Europe Ministerial in Strasbourg.  Switzerland is the current Chair of the Committee of Ministers and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will take over at the end of the session.

Continued reform of the European Court of Human Rights is a high priority aimed at tackling the backlog of 100,000 cases at the European Court of Human Rights.    

In September 2009, the Council of Europe elected Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, former Prime Minister of Norway, to be the organisation’s new Secretary General.  SG Jagland has been energetic on plans for reforms of the Council of Europe, proposing that it become more flexible and streamlined.

ENDS+++

Press Section

Department of Foreign Affairs

11 May 2010