|
Ministers’ Deputies
CM Documents
CM(2005)145 revised 28 September 2005
——————————————
115th Session of the Committee of
Ministers
(Strasbourg,
16-17 November 2005)
Third Summit of Heads of
State and Government of the Council of Europe (Warsaw, 16 and 17 May
2005)
Message
from the Committee of Ministers to the committees involved in
intergovernmental co-operation at the Council of Europe
——————————————
The Heads
of State and Government of the Council of Europe member states,
meeting in Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005 for their Third
Summit, adopted a Declaration and an Action Plan. These two
documents are to serve as a basis for the Council of Europe’s work
in the months and years to come. They complement each other and
cannot be dissociated: the Warsaw Declaration sets out strategic
guidelines for the implementation of the comprehensive, coherent set
of measures making up the Action Plan.
Implementing this plan is the Committee of
Ministers’ top political priority, in accordance with the
instructions given to it by the Heads of State and Government in
Section V of the Action Plan. A Follow-up Committee has been set up
for the purpose and a road map is being regularly updated to
provide guidance for follow-up to the Summit (See appendix).
On the basis of this road map, all the
committees involved in intergovernmental co-operation at the Council
of Europe must bear their share of responsibility for implementing
the Summit’s Action Plan in their respective fields of competence.
This means adapting the priorities of intergovernmental action to
those of the Action Plan, with due regard for budgetary constraints.
This adaptation, which will take effect as from 2006, requires a
joint effort by all Council of Europe bodies.
The Committee of Ministers would draw attention
in this connection to paragraph 1 of the operative provisions of the
Warsaw Declaration, which reads as follows:
“The Council of Europe shall pursue its core
objective of preserving and promoting human rights, democracy and
the rule of law. All its activities must contribute to this
fundamental objective. We commit ourselves to developing those
principles, with a view to ensuring their effective implementation
by all member states. In propagating these values, we shall enhance
the role of the Council of Europe as an effective mechanism of
pan-European cooperation in all relevant fields. We are also
determined to strengthen and streamline the Council of Europe’s
activities, structures and working methods still further, and to
enhance transparency and efficiency, thus ensuring that it plays its
due role in a changing Europe.”
Regular reports on the implementation of the
Summit decisions will be submitted at political level so that
Council of Europe member states can, individually and collectively,
shoulder their responsibilities as regards follow-up to the Summit.
Each of the committees involved in intergovernmental co-operation
must contribute to this, in liaison with the competent subsidiary
bodies set up by the Committee of Ministers. Information and
proposals on the measures which could be taken to implement the
Action Plan would be highly appreciated in this respect.
The Committee of Ministers notes the commitment
of the Secretary General to give priority and to maintain focus of
the secretariat on the implementation of the Action Plan.
Furthermore, the Committee of Ministers knows
that it can count on the co-operation and commitment of the other
Council of Europe bodies, in particular its key institutional
partners, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities, when it comes to rising to the joint challenge
of implementing the decisions of the Third Summit quickly and
effectively.
Appendix
Road-map for the implementation of the Action
Plan
Introduction
1. The purpose of this document is to clarify
the procedures and timetable for the follow-up to the Third Summit,
further to the proposals made by the Secretary General and the
discussions held within the Follow-up Committee on the Third Summit
(CM-SUIVI3) before the summer recess.
2. It is primarily procedural in nature and is
geared to implementation of the action plan adopted at the close of
the summit. Insofar as is possible, it also seeks to set out a
suggested timetable. This applies more particularly to the
activities to be directly supervised by the CM-SUIVI3. For the other
activities, timeframes do not generally need to be indicated, as the
activities form part of the Council of Europe’s normal programme of
activities and will be implemented in the medium or long
term.
3. This road map mainly focuses on the action of
the Committee of Ministers and its subsidiary or subordinate bodies,
and more generally, on follow-up to the Summit through
intergovernmental co-operation. In specific cases, other parts of
the Council – such as the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities – are also mentioned. Such references
should not be construed as precluding the more general
responsibility of other Council of Europe sectors to do all they can
to implement the decisions taken at the Summit as rapidly and
effectively as possible.
I - PROMOTING COMMON FUNDAMENTAL VALUES:
HUMAN RIGHTS, RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable1 |
|
1. Ensuring the continued effectiveness
of the European Convention on Human Rights
We shall ensure the long-term
effectiveness of the Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms by all appropriate means. To
this end we shall provide the European Court of Human Rights
with the necessary support and implement all the reform
measures adopted at the 114th Session of the Committee of
Ministers in May 2004, in accordance with all the modalities
foreseen. This includes, as envisaged, the ratification of
Protocol No. 14 to the Convention, which is essential for the
future effectiveness of the European Convention on Human
Rights. |
CM–SUIVI3, in conjunction
with
CL–CEDH
CDDH
May 2006 (entry into force of Protocol
14) |
|
At national level, we shall ensure
that:
- there are appropriate and
effective mechanisms in all member states for verifying the
compatibility of legislation and administrative practice with
the Convention;
- effective
domestic remedies exist for anyone with an arguable complaint
of a Convention violation;
-
adequate training in Convention standards is fully integrated
in university education and professional training; therefore,
we decide to launch a European programme for human rights
education for legal professionals and call on member states to
contribute to its implementation. |
CDDH
Progress reports planned in 2006
|
|
The Committee of Ministers shall review
implementation of these measures on a regular and transparent
basis. |
CM–SUIVI3, in conjunction with GR-H
May 2006 (report to the 116th CM
Session) |
|
We establish a Group of Wise Persons to
consider the issue of the long-term effectiveness of the ECHR
control mechanism, including the initial effects of Protocol
No. 14 and the other decisions taken in May 2004. We ask them
to submit, as soon as possible, proposals which go beyond
these measures, while preserving the basic philosophy
underlying the ECHR. |
CM–SUIVI3
Group
of Wise Persons
October 2005 (1st meeting of the
Group)
May 2006 (interim
report)
Late 2006 (final
report) |
|
We underline that all member states must
accelerate and fully execute the judgments of the Court. We
instruct the Committee of Ministers to elaborate and implement
all the necessary measures to achieve this, notably with
regard to judgments revealing structural problems including
those of a repetitive nature. |
CM (DH meetings)
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
2. Protecting and promoting human
rights through the other Council of Europe institutions and
mechanisms
As the primary forum for the protection
and promotion of human rights in Europe, the Council of Europe
shall – through its various mechanisms and institutions –
play a dynamic role in protecting the right of individuals and
promoting the invaluable engagement of non-governmental
organisations, to actively defend human rights. |
CM / GR–H
CDDH |
|
We undertake to strengthen the institution
of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, which
has proven its effectiveness, by providing the necessary means
for the Commissioner to fulfil his/her functions, particularly
in the light of the entry into force of Protocol No. 14 to the
European Convention on Human Rights. |
CM / GR–H
DH
Commissioner |
|
We shall continue to support the European
Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) and the unique role it
plays, through its visits to places of detention, in improving
the conditions of detained persons. We also ask for regular
updates of the European prison rules as the basis for the
setting-up of standards in prisons. The Council of Europe will
assist member states to ensure their implementation.
|
CM / GR–H
CPT
CDPC
|
|
We will intensify the fight against
racism, discrimination and every form of intolerance, as well
as attempts to vindicate nazism. We shall therefore give the
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) the
means to carry out its work, in close cooperation with
national authorities and institutions as well as civil society
in member states. We welcome ECRI's role in identifying good
practices as well as its general policy recommendations, and
we decide to disseminate them widely. We will ensure
coordination of its activities with equivalent ones in the
European Union and the OSCE and other relevant international
bodies. |
CM / GR–H / GR–EU and
GR–OSCE
ECRI
CMJ (Youth Campaign) |
|
We recall the decision taken at the
Strasbourg Summit “to step up cooperation in respect of the
protection of all persons belonging to national minorities”.
Europe's chequered history has shown that the protection of
national minorities is essential for the maintenance of peace
and the development of democratic stability. A society that
considers itself pluralist must allow the identities of its
minorities, which are a source of enrichment for our
societies, to be preserved and to flourish. We therefore
encourage the Council of Europe to continue its activities to
protect minorities, particularly through the Framework
Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and to
protect regional languages through the European Charter for
Regional or Minority Languages. |
CM / GR–H and GR-J
Control mechanisms of the Minorities Framework
Convention and the European Charter for Regional or Minority
Languages
DH–MIN
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
3. Strengthening democracy, good
governance and the rule of law in member states
We will strive for our common goal of
promoting democracy and good governance of the highest
quality, nationally, regionally and locally for all our
citizens and pursue our ongoing fight against all forms of
totalitarianism.
We decide, within the existing structures
of the Organisation as a whole, to: |
CM / GR–EDS |
|
- establish, a Council of Europe Forum for
the Future of Democracy to strengthen democracy, political
freedoms and citizens’ participation, keeping in mind inter
alia the conclusions of the Barcelona Conference on
17-19 November 2004. It shall be open to all member
states and civil society, represented by policymakers,
officials, practitioners or academics. It shall enable the
exchange of ideas, information and examples of best practices,
as well as discussions on possible future action. The Forum
will act in close co-operation with the Venice Commission and
other relevant Council of Europe bodies with a view to
enhancing, through its reflection and proposals, the
Organisation’s work in the field of democracy; |
CM–SUIVI3
November 2005 (Forum launch
meeting)
2006 and beyond
|
|
- pursue, in partnership with the
Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities, intergovernmental cooperation on democracy and
good governance at all levels; |
CM / GR–EDS, GR–J and
RAP–LARC
CDLR
AP
Congress
|
|
- develop further transfrontier
cooperation, as necessary, and standards of democracy and good
governance, including proper functioning of our civil
services; |
CM / GR–J, RAP–LARC
CDLR |
|
- take the necessary steps, including
through the establishment within the Secretariat of a centre
of expertise on local government reform, to implement the
Agenda for delivering good local and regional governance,
adopted at the 14th session of the Conference of European
Ministers responsible for local and regional government
(Budapest, 24-25 February 2005), by promoting standards and
good practices and by assisting member states with
capacity-building at the local and regional level, in close
cooperation with the Congress; |
CM–SUIVI3
CDLR
Congress
November 2005 (setting up of the
Centre)
2006 and beyond
|
|
- enhance the participation of NGOs in
Council of Europe activities as an essential element of civil
society's contribution to the transparency and accountability
of democratic government. |
CM / RAP–CBM/ONG
INGOs Conference |
|
We reiterate our commitment to
guarantee and promote freedom of expression and information
and freedom of the media as a core element of our democracies.
We therefore attach particular importance to the work carried
out by the Council of Europe in this area and we fully support
the Declaration and Action Plan adopted at the 7th European
Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy (Kiev, 10-11 March
2005). We encourage cooperation between the Council of Europe
and the OSCE in this area. |
CM / GR–EDS, GR–H and
GR–OSCE
CDMC
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
Equal participation of both women and men
is a crucial element of democracy. We therefore confirm our
commitment to achieving real equality between women and men.
We will strengthen gender mainstreaming in national policies,
elaborate guidelines and methods for further progress in
equality between women and men, promote the setting up of
national equality mechanisms, and enhance the
implementation of the United Nations' Beijing Platform for
Action. |
CM / RAP–EG
CDEG |
|
We call on member states to make use of
the advice and assistance of the European Commission for
Democracy through Law (“Venice Commission”) for the further
development of European standards in particular in the field
of the functioning of the democratic institutions and
electoral law. To ensure the implementation of European
standards at national level it should step up its cooperation
with constitutional courts and courts of equivalent
jurisdiction which play a key role in this respect.
|
CM / GR–J
Venice Commission |
|
We will make full use of the Council of
Europe’s standard-setting potential and promote implementation
and further development of the Organisation’s legal
instruments and mechanisms of legal cooperation, keeping in
mind the conclusions of the 26th Conference of European
Ministers of Justice (Helsinki, 7-8 April 2005).
|
CM / GR–J
CDCJ
CDPC
|
|
We decide to develop the evaluation and
assistance functions of the European Commission for the
Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and to make proper use of the
opinions given by the Consultative Council of Judges of Europe
(CCJE) in order to help member states to deliver justice
fairly and rapidly and to develop alternative means for the
settlement of disputes. |
CM / GR–J
CEPEJ
+ CCJE |
|
Nationality law in all its aspects,
including the promotion of acquisition of citizenship, as well
as family law are focus points of the Council of Europe. The
Council, as the suitable international organisation, will
continue to develop its action in these fields of law.
|
CM / GR–J |
|
4. Ensuring compliance of the
commitments made by member states and promoting political
dialogue
The Council of Europe is a Europe-wide
political forum which brings together member states committed
to promoting democratic debate and the rule of law.
|
|
|
We will continue our common efforts to
ensure strict compliance with the commitments of member states
to the common standards to which they have subscribed.
Standard-setting in the field of justice and other relevant
areas of law as well as non-discriminatory monitoring
processes should continue to be used to help member states
address the problems and develop their legal systems.
Monitoring must, as necessary, be accompanied by Council of
Europe assistance and technical support. In this context, we
encourage continued cooperation in the training of judges and
law enforcement officials. |
CM / GR–EDS + monitoring meetings)
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
The Council of Europe should continue to
foster a fruitful dialogue in its Committee of Ministers and
Parliamentary Assembly. The Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities must continue to promote local democracy and
decentralisation, taking into account the internal
organisation of the countries concerned, so as to reach all
levels of European society. The political dialogue should
exploit the potential of the Organisation in promoting mutual
understanding among member states, thus strengthening the
unity in Europe and contributing to the commitment of building
Europe without dividing lines. |
CM / GR–EDS
PA
Congress
|
|
To this end, the Council of Europe, in
cooperation with the European Union, will continue to promote
the exchange of good practices as far as free movement of
persons is concerned, with a view to further improving
contacts and exchanges between Europeans throughout the
continent. |
CM / GR–J |
|
5. Broadening the role of the Council
of Europe Development Bank
We request the Council of Europe
Development Bank (CEB), while confirming its traditional role
on behalf of populations in distress and of social cohesion,
also to facilitate, through its own means of action, the
implementation of policies which aim at the consolidation of
democracy, the promotion of the rule of law and respect for
human rights, notably in the field of training of magistrates,
civil servants and other participants in public life, as well
as in the organisation, operation and infrastructure of
administrative and judicial public services. |
CEB |
|
1. Combating terrorism
We strongly condemn terrorism, which
constitutes a threat and major challenge to our societies. It
requires a firm, united response from Europe, as an integral
part of the worldwide anti-terrorist efforts under the
leadership of the United Nations. We welcome the new Council
of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism opened for
signature during the Summit and draw attention to other
instruments and documents that the Council of Europe has drawn
up so far to combat terrorism. We call on all member states to
respect human rights and to protect victims when combating
this scourge, in accordance with the guidelines drawn up by
the Council of Europe in 2002 and 2005 respectively.
We will identify other targeted measures
to combat terrorism and ensure close cooperation and
coordination of common anti-terrorist efforts with other
international organisations, in particular the United
Nations. |
CM / GR–J and GR-H
CODEXTER
COSTER
CDPC
CDDH
From November 2005 (regular consideration
of the state of signatures and ratifications of the
Convention)
2006 and beyond
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
2. Combating corruption and organised
crime
The Group of States against Corruption
(GRECO) has proved its effectiveness. Accordingly, we urge
those member states that have not already joined it to do so
as soon as possible and to ratify the criminal and civil law
conventions on corruption. Since corruption is a worldwide
phenomenon, the Council of Europe will step up its cooperation
with the OECD and the United Nations to combat it on a global
level. An increase in the membership of GRECO and its further
enlargement to non-member states of the Council of Europe
would help achieve this goal. |
CM / GR–J
GRECO |
|
We also commend the work undertaken by
MONEYVAL for monitoring anti-money-laundering measures,
including the financing of terrorism. MONEYVAL should continue
to strengthen its ties with the Financial Action Task Force on
Money Laundering (FATF) under the aegis of the OECD.
We welcome the revision of the 1990
Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of
the Proceeds from Crime and the opening for signature of the
revised Convention at the Summit. We call for its signature
and ratification.
The Council of Europe will continue to
implement its technical assistance programmes for interested
member states. It will also support strengthened international
co-operation in the fight against transnational organised
crime and drug trafficking. |
CM / GR–J
MONEYVAL
CDPC
From November 2005 (regular consideration
of state of signature and ratification of the
Convention)
2006 and beyond
|
|
3. Combating trafficking in human
beings
We firmly condemn trafficking in human
beings which undermines the enjoyment of human rights and is
an offence to the dignity and integrity of the human being. We
welcome the opening for signature at the Summit of the Council
of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human
Beings and call for its widest possible ratification and swift
entry into force. This is a major step in the fight against
trafficking. It will strengthen the prevention of trafficking,
the effective prosecution of its perpetrators and the
protection of the human rights of the victims. The independent
monitoring mechanism set up by the Convention will ensure its
effective implementation by the Parties. We will ensure close
cooperation between the Council of Europe, the United Nations,
the European Union and the OSCE in this field. |
CM–SUIVI3
GRETA
Follow-up Committee (following the entry into force of the
Convention)
From November 2005 (regular consideration
of state of signature and ratification of the
Convention)
2006 (Council of Europe
campaign to combat trafficking in human beings)
|
|
4. Combating violence against
women
The Council of Europe will take measures
to combat violence against women, including domestic violence.
It will set up a task force to evaluate progress at national
level and establish instruments for quantifying developments
at pan-European level with a view to drawing up proposals for
action. A pan-European campaign to combat violence against
women, including domestic violence, will be prepared and
conducted in close co-operation with other European and
national actors, including NGOs. |
CM-SUIVI3, in conjunction with
RAP-EG
CD–EG
Future Task Force
November 2005 (setting-up of the Task
Force)
Late 2006 and beyond
(campaign to combat violence against women)
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
5. Combating cybercrime and
strengthening human rights in the information
society
We confirm the importance of respect for
human rights in the information society, in particular freedom
of expression and information and the right to respect for
private life.
The Council of Europe shall further
elaborate principles and guidelines to ensure respect for
human rights and the rule of law in the information society.
It will address challenges created by the use of information
and communication technologies (ICT) with a view to protecting
human rights against violations stemming from the abuse of
ICT.
We will also take initiatives so that our
member states make use of the opportunities provided by the
information society. In this connection the Council of Europe
will examine how ICT can facilitate democratic reform and
practice. The Council of Europe shall also continue its work
on children in the information society, in particular as
regards developing their media literacy skills and ensuring
their protection against harmful content.
We condemn all forms of ICT use in
furthering criminal activity. We therefore urge all member
states to sign and ratify the Convention on Cybercrime and to
consider signature of its Additional Protocol concerning the
criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature
committed through computer systems, the first binding
international instruments on the subject. |
CM / GR–J
CDMC
CDPC
Cybercrime
Convention Committee |
|
6. Promoting ethics in
biomedicine:
The Council of Europe shall continue its
standard-setting work on bioethics. We encourage the signing
of the Protocol on Transplantation, the adoption of provisions
corresponding to the recommendations on xenotransplantation
and further work on the use of genetic testing outside the
medical field, entailing discrimination in access to
employment and insurance. |
CM / GR–J
CDBI |
|
7. Promoting sustainable
development
We are committed to improving the quality
of life for citizens. The Council of Europe shall therefore,
on the basis of the existing instruments, further develop and
support integrated policies in the fields of environment,
landscape, spatial planning and prevention and management of
natural disasters, in a sustainable development
perspective. |
CM / GR–C
CDPAT
CO–DBP
STRA–CO
STRA–REP
T-PVS
CEMAT
|
III - BUILDING A MORE HUMANE AND
INCLUSIVE EUROPE
We are convinced that social cohesion, as well
as education and culture, are essential enabling factors for
effective implementation of Council of Europe core values in our
societies and for the long-term security of Europeans. The Council
of Europe will therefore promote a model of democratic culture,
underpinning law and institutions and actively involving civil
society and citizens.
|
1. Ensuring social cohesion
The Council of Europe will step up its
work in the social policy field on the basis of the European
Social Charter and other relevant instruments. The central
task is to jointly define remedies and solutions which could
be effective in fighting poverty and exclusion, ensuring
equitable access to social rights and protecting vulnerable
groups. The Council of Europe, acting as a forum for
pan-European cooperation in the social field, will work out
recommendations and promote exchange of best practices in
these areas as well as strengthen assistance to member
states. |
CM / GR–SOC and GR-H
CDCS
Social Charter
Committees |
|
We instruct the Committee of Ministers to
appoint a high-level taskforce to review the Council of Europe
strategy to promote social cohesion in the 21st century, in
the light of the Organisation's achievements in this field.
Policies to promote social cohesion must take account of the
challenges posed by ageing and other social and economic
developments. |
CM–SUIVI3, in conjunction with
GR-SOC
Future Task
Force
CDCS
CDMG
CDSP + Public
Health Partial agreement
November 2005 (setting up of the Task
force)
2006 and beyond
|
|
We agree that protection of health as a
social human right is an essential condition for social
cohesion and economic stability. We support the implementation
of a strategic integrated approach to health and
health-related activities. In particular, the work on equity
of access to care of appropriate quality and services which
meet the needs of the population of our member states will be
intensified. Identifying standards for patient-oriented care
will be a key component of this activity. |
CM / GR–SOC
CDSP + Public health Partial agreement
|
|
We confirm our commitment to combat all
kinds of exclusion and insecurity of the Roma communities in
Europe and to promote their full and effective equality. We
expect that the European Roma and Travellers Forum will allow
Roma and Travellers to express themselves with the active
support of the Council of Europe. Steps will be made to
establish co-operation among the Council of Europe, the
European Union and the OSCE in this field. |
CM / GR–SOC, GR–EU and
GR–OSCE
CDMG
Roma Forum |
|
We will consolidate the Council of
Europe’s work on disability issues and support the adoption
and implementation of a ten-year action plan designed to make
decisive progress in ensuring equal rights for people with
disabilities. |
CM / GR–SOC
CD–P–RR
Public health
Partial agreement |
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
2. Building a Europe for
children
We are determined to effectively promote
the rights of the child and to fully comply with the
obligations of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of
the Child. A child rights perspective will be implemented
throughout the activities of the Council of Europe
and effective coordination of
child-related activities must be ensured within the
Organisation.
We will take specific action to eradicate
all forms of violence against children. We therefore decide to
launch a three year programme of action to address social,
legal, health and educational dimensions of the various forms
of violence against children. We shall also elaborate measures
to stop sexual exploitation of children, including legal
instruments if appropriate, and involve civil society in this
process. Coordination with the United Nations in this field is
essential, particularly in connection with follow-up to the
optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child
Pornography. |
CM-SUIVI3, in conjunction with GR–SOC,
GR-J, GR-H and GR-C
CDPC
CDCS
CD–ED
Internal Task
Force
November 2005 (Setting-up of an internal
Task Force)
2006 to 2008 (three
year programme for children) |
|
3. Education: promoting democratic
citizenship in Europe
The tasks of building a knowledge-based
society and promoting a democratic culture among our citizens
require increased efforts of the Council of Europe in the
field of education aimed at ensuring access to education for
all young people across Europe, improving its quality and
promoting, inter alia, comprehensive human rights
education. |
CM / GR–C |
|
We will make full use of the opportunity
to raise public awareness of European standards and values
provided by the “European Year of Citizenship through
Education”. The Council of Europe shall build on its work on
language learning and recognition of diplomas and
qualifications. It shall continue to play an important role in
the Bologna process aimed at creation of European Higher
Education Area by 2010. It will actively promote cooperation
and networking in the field of education and student exchanges
at all levels.
The Council of Europe will enhance all
opportunities for the training of educators, in the fields of
education for democratic citizenship, human rights, history
and intercultural education. It will promote relevant
intercultural programmes and exchanges at secondary school
level, both within Europe and with neighbouring
countries. |
CM / GR–C
CDED
CDHER
|
|
The Council of Europe will also further
develop its network of schools of political studies with a
view to promoting European core values among the new
generations. |
CM / GR–EDS
|
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
4. Developing youth
cooperation
We will intensify our efforts to empower
young people to actively participate in democratic processes
so that they can contribute to the promotion of our core
values. The Council of Europe Youth Centres and the European
Youth Foundation are important instruments to this effect. We
will integrate a youth perspective in all Council of Europe
activities. To promote diversity, inclusion and participation
in society, we decide to launch a Europe-wide youth campaign,
in the spirit of the “European Youth Campaign against racism,
xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance" (1995).
|
CM-SUIVI3, in conjunction with
GR–C
CMJ
2006 to 2008 (Youth Campaign)
|
|
The Council of Europe will further develop
its unique position in the youth field. It will continue to
assist member states in developing national and local policy
instruments and actively promote youth exchanges and youth
mobility in Europe. |
CM / GR–C
CMJ |
|
5. Protecting and promoting cultural
diversity
Respect for, and promotion of, cultural
diversity on the basis of Council of Europe values are
essential conditions for the development of societies based on
solidarity. The Council of Europe will therefore develop
strategies to manage and promote cultural diversity while
ensuring the cohesion of societies. We support the adoption by
UNESCO of a convention on cultural diversity.
We will foster dialogue on the role of
culture in contemporary Europe and define ways to support
diversity and artistic creativity, defending culture as a
purveyor of values. Steps will be taken to enhance access to
cultural achievements and heritage by promoting cultural
activities and exchanges. |
CM / GR–C
CDCULT
CDPAT
|
|
6. Fostering intercultural
dialogue
We shall systematically encourage
intercultural and inter-faith dialogue, based on universal
human rights, as a means of promoting awareness,
understanding, reconciliation and tolerance, as well as
preventing conflicts and ensuring integration and the cohesion
of society. The active involvement of civil society in this
dialogue, in which both men and women should be able to
participate on an equal basis, must be ensured. Issues faced
by cultural and religious minorities can often be best
addressed at the local level. Therefore, we ask the Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities to be actively involved in
these issues and promote best practices.
We will strengthen cooperation and
coordination both within the Council of Europe and with other
regional and international institutions. To this effect, a
coordinator for intercultural dialogue shall be appointed
within the Council of Europe to monitor in cooperation with
existing structures the implementation of the Organisation’s
practical programmes and ensure coordination with other
institutions. |
CM–SUIVI3, in conjunction with
GR–C
Steering Committees acting
under the Cultural Convention
CDMG
PA
Congress
IONG
Conference
Future
coordinator
October 2005 (Faro
Conference)
Late 2005 (appointment
of a coordinator)
2006 and
beyond |
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
Convinced that dialogue between cultures
is also fostered by accurate understanding of history, we
endorse the Council of Europe’s work in history teaching and
related projects, and decide to intensify our efforts in this
direction. We encourage more active involvement of civil
society in this work.
We are committed to a new dialogue between
Europe and its neighbouring regions – the southern
Mediterranean, the Middle East and Central Asia - based on the
above-mentioned principles. We recognise the role of the
North-South Centre in promoting this dialogue, as well as its
mission of fostering European awareness of intercultural and
development issues. |
CM–SUIVI3, in conjunction with
GR–C
CD-ED
Future coordinator
North-South Centre
October 2005 (Faro
Conference)
Late 2005 (appointment
of a coordinator)
2006 and
beyond |
|
7. Promoting sport
We attach great importance to the
effective operation of the Anti-doping Convention and the
European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at
Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches, which are
reference texts in international law. In line with the
Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation R(99)9 on the role of
sport in furthering social cohesion, we recommend the
continuation of Council of Europe activities which serve as
references in the field of sport. |
CM / GR–C
Doping and violence convention committees
|
|
8. Managing migration
We are aware of the importance of
population movements within Europe and from other continents
to Europe. Management of this migration is a major challenge
to 21st-century Europe. We therefore consider that the Council
of Europe should pursue its activities in this sector, in
cooperation with the European Union, to contribute to a more
balanced management of migration Europe-wide. |
CM / GR–SOC, GR–EU
CDMG |
IV- FOSTERING COOPERATION WITH OTHER
INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS
We are strongly committed to ensure close
cooperation and coordination in international action, in
particular on the European scene. The Council of Europe, the
European Union and the OSCE will therefore work in enhanced
synergy and complementarity based on their respective competency
and expertise.
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
1. Relations with the European
Union
Considering the important contribution of
the Council of Europe to democracy, cohesion and stability in
Europe, we call on the Council of Europe to:
- strengthen its relations with the
European Union so that the Council of Europe’s and the
European Union’s achievements and future standard-setting work
are taken into account, as appropriate, in each other’s
activities; |
CM / GR–EU |
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
- strengthen cooperation with the European
Union in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
the promotion of pluralistic democracy and the rule of
law;
- strengthen cooperation with the European
Union in areas of common interest, in particular in the legal,
cultural, youth and social fields, including through joint
programmes and cooperation with specialised Council of Europe
bodies, such as the Venice Commission, the Committee for the
Prevention of Torture, the Group of States against Corruption,
the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, the
Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Commission for
the Efficiency of Justice. |
CM / GR–EU |
|
Based on the appended Guidelines, a
Memorandum of Understanding will be drafted between the
Council of Europe and the European Union to create a new
framework of enhanced cooperation and political dialogue.
Particular focus should be put on how the European Union and
its member states could make better use of available Council
of Europe instruments and institutions, and on how all Council
of Europe members could benefit from closer links with the
European Union. |
CM–SUIVI3
November 2005 (start of negotiations for
the Memorandum) |
|
2. Relations with the OSCE
We encourage the Council of Europe to step
up and rationalise cooperation with the OSCE, on the basis of
their specific tasks and comparative advantages, while
avoiding duplication of effort. In particular, we call for
closer cooperation with the OSCE in the priority fields
identified by the Coordinating Group and subsequently adopted
by the governing bodies of the two organisations, starting
with the fight against terrorism, the protection of the rights
of persons belonging to national minorities, action against
trafficking in human beings and the promotion of tolerance and
non-discrimination.
In this connection, we welcome the
appended joint Declaration on enhanced cooperation between the
Council of Europe and the OSCE. |
CM / GR–OSCE
Coordination Group
CoE /
OSCE
30 September 2005 (2nd meeting of the
Coordination Group) |
|
3. Relations with the United
Nations
We encourage the Council of Europe to step
up cooperation with the United Nations and its specialised
agencies, in order both to promote the universal values shared
by the member states of the Council of Europe in the human
rights field and to achieve the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals in Europe, including, in particular,
everyone's entitlement to live in a balanced, healthy
environment. |
CM / RAP–UN
|
V - MISE EN OEUVRE DU PLAN D’ACTION – UN
CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE TRANSPARENT ET EFFICACE
|
Items of the Action Plan
|
Procedures / Timetable
|
|
We instruct the Committee of Ministers to
take steps to ensure that this Action Plan is rapidly
implemented by the various Council of Europe bodies, in
conjunction where applicable with other European or
international organisations.
As an urgent priority, we task the
Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General, assisted by
independent expertise, to give fresh impetus to the reform
process of the Council of Europe’s organisational structures
and working methods. Building on efforts already in hand, the
process shall aim at an efficient functioning of the
Organisation according to its objectives and keeping fully in
mind the need for budgetary restraints. Special attention
should be paid to initiatives that will further secure
transparency, cost-efficiency as well as internal co-operation
and knowledge sharing.
This reform process will be subject to
regular progress reports to the Committee of Ministers. It
will be discussed at the Ministerial Session in May
2006. |
CM–SUIVI3, in conjunction with GR–AB and
GT-REF.INST
September 2005 (SG’s
proposals)
May 2006 (report to the
116th CM Session) |
Note 1 With regard to Committee of Ministers and its
subsidiary groups, the structures mentioned are those currently in
existence. An update will occur if the proposals for reform which
are under discussion are adopted. |
