29.9.2011

WELCOME BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU,

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY,

TO MR KOSTYANTYN GRYSHCHENKO,

CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

(Monday, 3 October 2011, 3 p.m.)

Dear Minister,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you, once again, in this Chamber in your capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Ukraine’s Chairmanship has been marked by a number of successful high profile events, such as, for example, the international Conference on “Combating violence against children: from isolated actions to integrated strategies” held in May this year or, more recently, the Kyiv Conference on “mechanisms of prevention of human rights violations”. I am glad that Assembly representatives have taken part in these events in order to ensure mutual support and co-ordination.

Moreover, during your Chairmanship, we successfully held several of our meetings in Kyiv: our Standing Committee met in May this year and, most recently, the Assembly’s Sub-Committee on sustainable development of the Committee on the environment, agriculture and local and regional affairs organised at the Verkhovna Rada a round table on public-private partnerships in the sphere of risk reduction, in which I personally participated. Therefore, I can say, without hesitation, that the Assembly is actively participating in the activities of Ukraine’s chairmanship, with mutual benefits for both the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers!

Finally, allow me, Minister, to congratulate you and your authorities on the launching of the three-year Action Plan to support Ukraine’s European agenda for reform in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. This is a major tool to strengthen the relations between Ukraine and the Council of Europe further, as well as to support ongoing reforms in your country, in line with the standards of our Organisation. I wish you every success in the implementation of this ambitious reform agenda.

An now, Minister, we are looking forward to hearing your communication. The floor is yours.