Priorities for the Swedish Chairmanship
The overall objective of the Swedish Chairmanship will be to work for the core issues of human rights, democracy and development of the rule of law. Sweden will particularly emphasise measures to strengthen respect for human rights. Sweden will work for a modern and effective Council of Europe that works closely with the EU and international organisations, as well as with civil society.
The main objective of the Swedish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers is to promote the realisation of the Council of Europe's core objective - to make rights real. By focusing on implementation, and striving for widest possible co-operation between the Council of Europe, member states and other actors, Sweden intends to encourage further progress.
The Swedish Chairmanship will focus on the implementation of the action plan that was adopted at the Council of Europe Warsaw Summit in 2005, and the streamlining of the Council of Europe's activities, as well as on reform measures for a more efficient and transparent Council of Europe. A comprehensive approach should create links between policy, standards, monitoring, actions for implementation and evaluation.
The Chairmanship will strive for an enhanced political dialogue on both topical and thematic issues. This should be done hand-in-hand with the efficient running of the Committee of Ministers' work. Sweden will promote a constructive dialogue with the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as well as with other actors, including the Conference of International Non-governmental organisations.
On this basis, the priorities of the Swedish Chairmanship follow decisions taken at the Warsaw Summit.
Council of Europe Summit in 2005
At the Council of Europe Warsaw Summit in 2005, member states agreed that the Council of Europe's future is to pursue its core objective to protect and promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
All other activities of the Council of Europe should contribute to this fundamental objective. The Summit also identified three aspects - gender equality, the rights of the child and a youth perspective - to be mainstreamed into all Council of Europe activities.
Through its standards, monitoring mechanisms as well as co-operation and assistance activities, the Council of Europe provides not only norms but also support for achieving the core objective. At the Summit, the member states resolved to ensure full compliance with their commitments as members of the organisation. Further progress is needed, and the Council of Europe continues to have a crucial role to play for making this happen.
