At the meeting, the Ambassador noted that when Lithuania took over the helm of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from Liechtenstein in May this year, the focus would be on the CoE’s support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Krivas highlighted the Register of damage for Ukraine created by the CoE, the importance of establishing an international compensation mechanism for victims of Russian aggression, and the need to return Ukrainian children home after deportation by Russia.
The Ambassador also underlined that the next priority of the Lithuanian Presidency would be to promote cooperation with the democratic forces of Belarus and Russia in the context of the support provided by the CoE. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the decisions of the Reykjavik Summit during the Lithuanian Presidency.
Founded in Strasbourg in 1949 as Europe’s leading human rights organization, the Council of Europe brings together 46 member states. All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, the first Council of Europe convention and the cornerstone of all its activities. Lithuania joined the Council of Europe in 1993.
Lithuania will chair the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from May to November 2024 for the second time in history.
