Reply to Recommendation 1318 (1997) - Council of Europe and Expo '98

Doc. 8068

7 April 1998

Council of Europe and Expo '98

Reply to Recommendation 1318 (1997)

from the Committee of Ministers

adopted on 25 March 1998 at the 624^th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies

1. The Committee of Ministers duly took into account, upon its reception, Recommendation 1318 (1997) of the Parliamentary Assembly on the Council of Europe and Expo ’98. At their 592nd session (May 1997) already, after the Assembly’s Standing Committee had adopted the text on 19 March 1997, the Ministers’ Deputies confirmed their positive decision taken some weeks ago on the principle of the Council’s participation in Expo ’98.

2. For the first time ever, the Council of Europe would have a pavilion at an international exhibition. The pavilion, which will be over 300 m2 and situated in the area reserved for international organisations, will be made available free of charge by the Portuguese authorities who have also accepted to meet some of the operating costs.

3. The pavilion, which will be open for the duration of Expo ’98, has been designed so as to offer visitors an easy access to information. This will be mainly made available in the form of films, boarding, exhibitions and interactive CD-ROM. The costs of furnishing it will be met by the Social Development Fund and supplementary contributions from several partners. It will house a whole range of multimedia presentations and various exhibitions. Thematic weeks will make it possible to promote certain specific aspects of the Organisation’s work. The Social Development Fund and the North-South Centre, which will be active partners in this exhibition, will be given a high profile.

4. The theme of Expo ’98 – “The oceans – a heritage for the future” – has given rise to a number of activities both at intergovernmental and parliamentary level. They will be highlighted, with an emphasis on the most recent actions and proposals: integrated management of coastal zones, marine parks, the Assembly’s reflection on the setting-up of a European Ocean Agency. The Committee of Ministers welcomes the plans in this connection to hold meetings of the relevant committees of the Assembly in Lisbon in late August 1998.

5. The Committee of Ministers further believes that the Council’s participation in Expo ’98 is a perfect opportunity to highlight the Organisation's role on a reunited Continent on which free links have been re-established between all of its seas and oceans. The promotion of democracy and respect for human rights, the unity of Europe, the fostering of links with the South are also crucial for our future. This wider dimension will be presented in various ways in the pavilion itself and should be illustrated in a symbolic manner by the slogan “the Ocean of Ideas” suggested by the North-South Centre, through which the citizens of the world would be able to express their opinions and their wishes for the planet in the 21st century.

6. 10 September 1998 will be “Council of Europe Day”. The programme for this special day is currently being planned with the approval of the future Greek Chair of the Committee of Ministers. The Parliamentary Assembly will be fully involved in it.