Statement by Mr Walter SCHWIMMER
Secretary General
to the First part of the 2003 session of the Parliamentary Assembly
Strasbourg, 28 January 2003
The One Europe
Mr President,
Three weeks ago, I was sitting in the Ledra Palace in Nicosia, the last divided city in Europe, having discussions with political representatives of both communities on the island. I was encouraged by what I heard and stressed my own conviction that the current UN plan presents a unique window of opportunity to find a lasting solution. It would be an historic breakthrough. Equally historic, and I think that the term has not been used too lightly in this respect, were the decisions taken by the European Council in Copenhagen.
I would like to congratulate those countries that decided to move ahead with increased integration. Their decision will fundamentally change Europe’s political architecture. I am convinced that the proper definition of the Council of Europe’s role in this new architecture is our most important challenge for the coming years.
I would therefore wish to share with you some thoughts of the place of the Council of Europe in the One Europe and on the very important role this Organisation continues to play.
Furthermore, I would also like to touch upon our own ongoing enlargement, as well as on the consolidation of our past enlargement, especially in South Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region.
Major challenges to European society lie ahead and I would like to seize today’s opportunity to indicate to you my main priorities for our activities in the coming year.
Consequences of the enlargement of the European Union
The European Union will soon have 25 members. Others are hoping to join too. However, many European states will not join for the moment.
This fact should not create new dividing lines! There is only One Europe: the continent with its over 800 million Europeans. Since 1989, the Council of Europe, founded forty years earlier to overcome conflicts, made it possible that One Europe, based on common values, came about.
As I stated in my contribution to the European Union Convention, chaired by Mr Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, I consider that the European Union should make full use of the Council of Europe’s instruments and institutions. I am deeply grateful to those members of the Assembly who, as members of this Convention, continue to be active in drawing attention to our Organisation. Moreover, the texts adopted by this Assembly provide an extremely helpful intellectual and political input.
These efforts have contributed, to no small extent, to the finding in the report submitted by Mr Giscard d’Estaing to the Copenhagen European Council, stating that there is now a very strong tendency in favour of accession by the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights. Such an accession is indeed essential.
The European Union has adopted the Council of Europe’s flag and the Council of Europe’s anthem. It should also adopt the Council of Europe’s fundamental Convention. Who shares our symbols should also share our commitments!
As a next step, accession to the European Cultural Convention should take place. I firmly believe 800 million Europeans do have a culture in common. Tolstoy is as European as Shakespeare, Shostakovich as European as Mozart or Chopin.
The third step would be the accession to the European Social Charter, acknowledging that the One Europe is built on social cohesion and a spirit of solidarity.
Much reflection is currently going on on how to structure the European Union’s foreign policy with regard to those European States that are either unable, or unwilling, to join the European Union at present. To all those involved, I have a very clear message: Do use what is there and what has proved its value. There is no need to invent new structures for political cooperation, or set up elaborate new mechanisms for consultation. The Council of Europe brings together all the states of the One Europe. Its Parliamentary Assembly and Committee of Ministers are the natural fora for political dialogue and cooperation. For over 50 years, they have proven their effectiveness.
We should be imaginative in structuring our relationship, and dare to break new ground. I would propose today that we reflect on the possibilities of having the European Union as an associate member of the Council of Europe.
Moreover, many of the challenges facing our societies in coming years - to which I will return later when I mention my priorities - such as the fight against international crime and terrorism, regulating migration, questions of bioethics - cannot possibly be solved even within an enlarged European Union. The whole of Europe, the One Europe, must be involved and in many cases we must cooperate with our non-European friends.
In this respect, allow me to make a short reference to the recent adoption, by an overwhelming majority vote, in the United Nations General Assembly of a Resolution on cooperation with the Council of Europe. This support clearly showed the importance attached to our work within the wider world community.
At the same time, I cannot hide my disappointment that an observer to the Organisation, the United States of America, abstained in the vote, and made considerable efforts to have some of the most important elements dropped, notably with regard to the death penalty. On the other hand, the recent courageous decision by the outgoing Governor of Illinois, which I warmly saluted, is a clear signal that the debate on the death penalty in the United States is making progress. Mr Ryan – my deepest respect in the name of the One Europe.
In this context, I also wish to salute the ongoing reforms in Turkey as demonstrated by the signing two weeks ago of Protocol Nr 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which bans the death penalty in peacetime.
Council of Europe’s ongoing enlargement
With regard to our own enlargement, I share the hopes of so many that Serbia and Montenegro will soon be in a position to join our Organisation. Its natural place is amongst us. Recent worrying signals, such as the failed Presidential elections in both Serbia and Montenegro, which indicate a disappointment of the population with the speed of reforms, are best tackled together.
Let me also stress once more, the extreme importance I attach to full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague. The voluntary surrender of Mr Milan Milutinovic last week was an encouraging signal.
As regards Kosovo, we have responded favourably to the request of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UNMIK, Mr Steiner, to take the lead in decentralising local authorities. This project offers real possibilities to promote further democratisation and reconciliation. In our contacts with UNMIK, we are also putting much emphasis on the importance of the applicability of Council of Europe human rights standards in Kosovo. There should be no human rights gap in Europe.
Concerning Belarus, the recent agreement on the re-establishment of an OSCE mission is encouraging, yet real progress has yet to be demonstrated, notably in the protection of human rights and freedom of the media, if closer contacts with the Council of Europe are to be established.
Finally, I look forward with great interest to the proposals that your rapporteurs on Monaco, Mr Juraj Svec, (Slovakia) and Mr Andrea Manzella (Italy), will present regarding that country’s accession to the Council of Europe.
Consolidation of enlargement in South Eastern Europe and the Caucasus
At the request of the EU High Representative, Mr Solana, and the authorities of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, a new Council of Europe expert has been appointed. The positive development after the Ohrid Agreement, the Parliamentary elections and the census, must now be consolidated.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first elections under full responsibility of the country’s authorities took place. The results of the elections present a challenge to the major communities to confirm the policy of national and European integration. In this respect, the creation of a multi-ethnic government in the Republika Srpska is encouraging. I am convinced that Council of Europe membership contributed to this development. The presence of the High Representative, Lord Ashdown, in Strasbourg during your current session illustrates the importance the international community as such attaches to the role of our Organisation.
In the Caucasus, 2003 will be a year of crucial elections. Presidential and parliamentary elections and the constitutional referendum will be held in Armenia, Presidential elections in Azerbaijan and parliamentary elections in Georgia. All these are of vital importance for the strengthening of democracy and the peaceful development of the region. The Council of Europe will actively contribute to the Organisation and observation of these events. We have taken the initiative to organise this very week a co-ordination meeting of all international organisations involved.
When I said crucial, I was not using this term lightly. I cannot imagine what the consequences would be, also with regard to the position of these countries in the Council of Europe if these elections were not conducted in a free and fair way, if they would not represent a step forward in the consolidation of democracy.
The population of the Chechen Republic in the Russian Federation will also be called upon to vote in the coming year. You will debate a report on the recent visit by your rapporteurs tomorrow. The devastating terrorist attack on the headquarters of the civil administration in Grozny in December, and the ongoing daily violence, are painful reminders of how difficult the situation remains. An agreement has been reached with Minister Ivanov to prolong, for another six months, the mandate of our experts in the office of the Special Representative of the Russian President for Human Rights in Chechnya, Mr Sultygov, whose presence here today I salute.
However, I have to admit, both the Committee of Ministers and I myself, had strongly wished to see this agreement renewed for a year in order to make our presence more effective.
I would once more wish to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of our expert staff working in Chechnya. Staff, who as the OSCE’s mandate has not been renewed, are once again the only internationals present. I consider their work essential for the improvement of the human rights situation and sincerely hope that the Russian authorities will enable the implementation of the additional tasks agreed upon in order to contribute to a normalisation of daily life. The Chechen people deserve a normal life, in peace, like everybody else in Europe. Therefore, there can be no tolerance for violations of human rights, no impunity for perpetrators, whoever they are.
Moldova and Ukraine
When referring to areas of concern, a few words on our forthcoming Chair of the Committee of Ministers, Moldova, are necessary. It cannot be denied that the political situation in the country continues to give us concern. Therefore, we have provided high level expertise, through Mr Mazowiecki, Mr Meckel and Mrs Poppe, to make the Round Table of representatives of all political parties and NGOs in Moldova an effective instrument for dialogue. I have also appointed a senior Danish diplomat, Mr Grunnet, as my Special Representative in Chisinau. I would strongly appeal, once more, for a real and constructive political dialogue between the different political forces at the Round Table.
I should also express my deep concern at the lack of progress concerning the situation of media in Ukraine, a country which has now been a member of our Organisation for 7 years. The Committee of Ministers last week urged Ukraine rapidly to follow-up on recommendations by experts concerning the adoption of new laws, non-interference in the activity of media and protection of journalists. We stand ready to provide any additional assistance that may be required.
Facing New Challenges
The tragic events of 11 September 2001 acted in a way as a shock therapy. Not only did they confront us with security threats that had been neglected or under-rated, they also triggered a chain of reappraisal of many other challenges to our societies.
In order to meet these, I would propose that this Organisation focus, in the coming years, on a limited number of major topics. We cannot do everything. But what we do, we should do as well as possible. I am therefore actively promoting increased cooperation between our various services to ensure a truly multidisciplinary, combined, approach to address increasingly multi-faceted challenges.
Let me give you some examples of such challenges. A broad outline of my priorities for 2004 will be available as an appendix to the written version of my statement today.
Just before Christmas, and the date was probably not purely incidental, we were all shocked by the announcement of the birth of a human clone. Whether this was pure propaganda or a horrible reality, does not change the fact that several deranged Dr Strangeloves are at present manipulating the very essence of human dignity. Here our Organisation must provide answers to reconcile progress in technical possibilities and fundamental human values. We need more ratifications to the European Biomedicine Convention and its Protocol prohibiting cloning. We have a legal instrument. It should be used.
All of us continue to live under the threat of new blind terrorist attacks. The Council of Europe is demonstrating that it can contribute to common responses to these threats, while respecting common values. The success of our guidelines on the fight against terrorism, or the “little brown book” as it is referred to at UN headquarters, shows that we can also play a pioneering role. We will continue to do so in updating our Convention on the suppression of terrorism.
Last year’s world summit in Johannesburg on sustainable development enabled the Council of Europe to make a very valuable contribution, in particular through our Lisbon North-South Centre.
The debates scheduled this week demonstrate the strong interest of your Assembly in these matters.
Unregulated migration and related issues such as human trafficking must be tackled and they must be tackled decisively. Trafficking in human beings is a modern form of slavery, a European scandal, and an affront to all the values we stand for. I sincerely hope that soon we will be able to open for signature the first convention against trafficking concentrating on the protection of the victim’s rights.
The European Year of People with Disabilities was recently launched in Athens. I warmly welcome this initiative and the report by Mr László Surjánon the issue, and would assure you that we will participate actively in the work on a United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The Council of Europe staff will devote a day to awareness-raising and action on 22 May 2003.
Final remarks
In the early 1990s, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Council of Europe successfully adapted its agenda to the challenges of the time. Today, at the beginning of this new millennium, we are again at a crossroads. The Council of Europe has the required know-how. We are addressing many of the major challenges. However, we should do so faster and with more results.
There is a need for more vision, more political guidance and more pressure to be delivered from the top. I am therefore very satisfied that the Committee of Ministers agreed to the principle of a Third Council of Europe Summit, as proposed by your Assembly. In spring, Ministers will decide on the timetable and the exact themes.
They will have to reflect the future of this organisation. If somebody would still have doubts about this future, I would give a clear answer: The future of the Council of Europe is the One Europeunited, under the blue flag with the twelve golden stars, by the values of freedom, pluralist democracy and rule of law, an area of human rights and social cohesion, with a common cultural and natural heritage, which we have to preserve for future generations.
We will need the continued support of you, our Parliamentary Assembly, which has been the driving force of the Council of Europe for 54 years, to make this common future come true.
Appendix
The Programme of Activities 2004 – a global approach for a clearer picture
For the first time, the 2004 Programme of Activities will be based on a genuinely holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to Council of Europe activities, joining up the traditional intergovernmental work of Vote II in a thematic rather than sectoral way, completing the integration of our assistance and cooperation activities, cementing the impetus given to future work by the findings of our monitoring mechanisms, and relating the broader framework of work carried out in other institutional contexts: the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, Partial Agreements and so on.
The new Programme will consist of ten Lines of Action, each reflecting the major functions and tasks of the Organisation, and in turn comprising a limited number of targeted Programmes.
The Lines of Action are the following:
Compliance with Human Rights and Rule of Law standards
This Line will cover our judicial, independent and treaty-based monitoring mechanisms: judicial at the level of the European Court of Human Rights, independent as concerns the European Social Charter, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, and intergovernmental with regard to, for example, the European Code of Social Security, the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers, anti-money laundering measures, and the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, together with monitoring by other Conventional Committees. Our aim in regrouping these mechanisms is to ensure that there is a direct link between verification of compliance with commitments and remedial or developmental work undertaken by the Organisation.
Human Rights in Public Policy
Under this heading, we shall deal with human rights law, including, inter alia, de jure abolition of the death penalty, improving procedures and mechanisms at the international level (reform of the European Convention on Human Rights), legislative reform and compatibility at national level, human rights awareness and training, together with the raft of policies concerning access to social rights, non-discrimination and equal treatment and freedom of expression and information.
Promoting Pluralist Democracy and Good Governance
Here we shall concentrate efforts to promote the effective functioning of democracy: making institutions work, building democracy through law, developing capacities at local and regional levels, enhancing participation and promoting the fullest use of the potentialities of Civil Society, and addressing gender issues.
Building a society based on the Rule of Law
This Line of Action will focus on the fight against terrorism and crime and corruption, the functioning and efficiency of justice, law making in conformity with European standards, and the legal framework of relations between individuals and the state and between each other.
Technological development, Human dignity and Democracy
Here we shall concentrate efforts on ensuring that legal standards and ethical principles remain in tune with scientific and technological advances. We shall deal with bioethics and biomedicine, food safety, health care standards, data protection and the advantages and dangers of developments in information and communication technologies in the media.
Building stable and cohesive societies
Under this heading, we shall try to address some of the most acute problems facing today’s world. Questions involving inter-cultural dialogue and understanding, the management of migration flows, confidence-building in distrusting societies, Roma issues, family and child policies; everyday security and, conversely, individual notions of insecurity.
Promoting European Cultural Identity and Diversity
Under this Line of Action, we shall explore how to best marry notions of Culture and Globalisation: how cultural identity, heritage community, and language, inter alia, can contribute both to a sense of local, national and European belonging, and how national policies and practice can best foster both.
Human Dignity and Sustainable Development
Here we shall look into, on the one hand, creating socially sustainable societies: access to basic social rights, fighting poverty and social exclusion; and, on the other, sustainable surroundings: the sustainable use of cultural and natural resources and their management for future generations.
Investing in Europe’s future through Education and Youth
This Line of Action will deal notably with the promotion and protection of the right to education for all, standards and policy development in education, with lifelong learning for participatory democracy, youth and youth policies, and with promotion of sports for all in Europe.
Council of Europe Outreach
This Line will cover both our regular field presence – the Council’s field and information offices, and our longer-term direct interventions, which are often of a more political nature in response to particular situations on our continent.