Georgians became the leaders of the Council of Europe for six months
Starting today, November 27, Georgia will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe for six months, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
This was reported by the press service of the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
Thus, Georgia becomes the presiding country of the Council of Europe from November 27, 2019 to May 15, 2020.
“Georgia will take over the French presidency at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on November 27, 2019. The meeting will take place in Strasbourg. From the French side, Georgia will receive a symbolic key to the presidency of the Council of Europe. The Secretary of State for European Affairs of France, Amelie de Montchalin, will hand over the symbolic key to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia as the future President of the Council of Europe,” the statement says.
After taking office, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani will speak at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and present the priorities of Georgia’s chairmanship. Priorities include: human rights and environmental protection; civil participation in decision making; child-centered justice – European experience of restorative justice; strengthening democracy through education and culture, by involving youth.
Before the official ceremony of the Presidency, on 27 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the permanent representatives of the Council of Europe member states will leave the Council of Europe Courthouse on a special tram decorated with the Georgian alphabet and the logo of the Georgian Presidency. At the ceremony, the flag of Georgia's chairmanship will also be raised and the ribbon will be cut.
During its six-month presidency, Georgia is reported to organize up to 20 events at the Council of Europe.
Georgians took over the Council of Europe for six months.