On Wednesday 13 November, Luxembourg took over from Lithuania the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
Present in Strasbourg, Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, outlined his country’s priorities, foremost among them continued support for Ukraine.
Luxembourg will ensure that the Council of Europe continues to use its expertise to support Ukraine and the millions of people affected by the conflict.
It will focus its efforts on rejecting impunity for war crimes.
The Luxembourg Presidency’s programme will focus on three other areas: Rule of law and democracy (defending common standards and policies as levers in the fight against democratic backsliding and growing threats in Europe); living together (fostering mutual respect and understanding in our diverse societies); culture, sport and heritage as vectors for promoting human rights.
The Luxembourg Presidency will end on 25 May 2025.
Malta will then succeed it at the helm of the Committee of Ministers. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)