Georgia officially assumes chairmanship of CoE
The presidency has passed from France to Georgia at a meeting at the organisation’s Strasbourg headquarters. Photo: Council of Europe webpage
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has received symbolic keys marking the official assumption of the presidency of the Council of Europe (CoE) Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg today.
The presidency has passed from France to Georgia at a meeting at the organisation’s Strasbourg headquarters.
In the capacity of the Presidency ????????has unique opportunity to contribute to the 3 pillars of t/Organization: democracy, human rights&rule of law. This is both – challenging&encouraging at the same time. Glad to underline that ????????& @CoE has been interlinked by 20 yrs collaboration pic.twitter.com/Q381SXecPI
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) November 27, 2019
Minister Zalkaliani, the new Chair of the Committee of Ministers, presented the priorities of the Georgian Presidency, which will run for six months.
Taking over the presidency of the Committee of Ministers, Georgia has made "an extraordinary voluntary financial contribution of 500 K," the CoE Spokesperson Daniel Holtgen reported.
Taking over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe today, Georgia makes an extraordinary voluntary financial contribution of 500 K. A large part goes to fighting violence against women #VAW. Thank you Georgia ???????????????? @CoeGeorgia @MFAgovge pic.twitter.com/99qjE1kX9T
— Daniel Holtgen (@CoESpokesperson) November 27, 2019
Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili wishes her country great achievements in developing its priorities for the next six month.
Today is a memorable day in our country's history. #Georgia takes over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the #CoE for the first time! Wishing great achievements in developing #HumanRights, #RuleOfLaw, #Democracy & #CivilSociety pic.twitter.com/8JILdfnKHv
— Keti Tsikhelashvili (@TsikhelashviliK) November 27, 2019
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Georgia's CoE membership.
Former Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze wrote of Twitter that it is "symbolic" that Georgia has assumed the presidency on its anniversary.
Georgia has assumed Presidency of the @coe Committee of Ministers for following 6 months. On the 20th anniversary of Georgia’s accession to the #Council it is both: symbolic & carries a huge responsibility. Presidency will be a great platform to show what #Georgia is all about.
— Mamuka Bakhtadze (@BakhtadzeMamuka) November 27, 2019
Earlier today, a tram with the Georgian alphabet on its windows has been launched in Strasbourg and the Georgian national flag has also been raised.
On the occasion of Georgia’s presidency, the national flag raising ceremony in Place de la République, Strasbourg! I feel honored to be here on this very special day for my country #GeorgianPrecidency pic.twitter.com/zZ3ONlgI9F
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) November 27, 2019
According to the CoE, the chair "acts in a neutral way and ensures that the rules and guidelines are respected”. It further “guides the discussions, puts proposals to the vote and announces decisions”.
- The Council of Europe is the continent's leading human rights organization;
- It is comprised of 47 member states, 28 of which are members of the European Union;
- Georgia became a member of the Council of Europe on April 27, 1999.