35 European Foreign Ministers and seven Secretary of States had
confirmed their participation in Brussels for the conclusion of the
Belgian Presidency, in a ceremony called “Shared responsibility for
democratic security in Europe”. In this ceremony was seen the NATO
General Secretary, Stoltenberg, who used this opportunity to have a
special meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Lavrov.
44 of 47 members of the European Council signed an additional protocol to the convention for “preventing foreign fighters”, which will bind the member countries to stop various actions, including intentional participation in a terrorist group, training for terrorism and leaving one’s country for terrorism purposes.
This protocol also creates a quick and uninterrupted information exchange network between the participating countries. The political declaration of the European Ministers is also attached to this additional protocol, together with an action plan for the 2015-2017 period, which has two main objectives: reinforcing the legal structure against terrorism and violent extremism, and preventing war and violent radicalization through concrete measures in the public sector, especially in prisons, schools and the internet.
The Albanian Foreign Minister, Ditmir Bushati, insisted on the events of Macedonia and the accession of Kosovo in this organization. His counterpart, Ivica Dacic, complained about the “unacceptable standard” of human rights for the Serbian minority in northern Kosovo.
“We discussed about the challenges of security that we have today with Ukraine and Georgia, and the other conflicts in Southeastern Europe, mainly with what is going on in Macedonia. We also spoke about a full transparency of the entire crisis that has appeared in Macedonia. I made it clear the need for a quick accession of Kosovo in the European Council structures, for the accession of Kosovo in the European Convention of Human Rights, as an opportunity with a bigger democratic security for all Kosovo citizens; for the application of standards and rights that are foreseen by this convent”, declared Ditmir Bushati, Foreign Minister of Albania.
The Committee of Ministers reviewed the report on the situation of democracy in Europe, introduced by the General Secretary of the Council of Europe, Jagland, who is bringing up two key problems, the lack of a professional judiciary and the threats that media freedom is facing.
By the end of the meeting, Belgium passed the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Ministers to Bosnia for the next six months, which will then go to Bulgaria, Estonia and Cyprus.
Prepared by: Arta TOZAJ
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