Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to attend Council of Europe ministerial meeting in Strasbourg

At its meeting in Strasbourg on 17 May, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will review the progress made in implementing the priorities set at the Reykjavik summit in May 2023. The foreign ministers of the council's 46 member states will discuss the organisation's support measures for Ukraine, including the Register of Damage for Ukraine, which was established following the Reykjavik summit. The adoption of a framework convention on artificial intelligence, for which Switzerland facilitated the negotiations, is also on the agenda.

Mr Cassis will hold bilateral talks on the margins of the celebrations marking the Council of Europe's 75th anniversary. These talks will serve to underscore Switzerland's strong commitment to the Council of Europe, exemplified by former Federal Councillor Alain Berset's candidacy for the role of the organisation's secretary general.

The Council of Europe is the leading organisation for defending human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Since its establishment in 1949, it has created a shared legal framework among its 46 member states, underpinned by the European Convention on Human Rights. Since it joined the council in 1963, Switzerland has been actively engaged in strengthening a Europe built on legal principles and the rule of law.

Further information:

Council of Europe (FDFA website)
Council of Europe

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs