Strasbourg, 03/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - On the fringe of the 16th quadripartite meeting EU/Council of Europe (European Commission - EU Presidency - General Secretariat of the Council of Europe - Chair of the Committee of Ministers), Commissioner Chris Patten and Secretary General Walter Schwimmer signed a joint declaration in Strasbourg on Tuesday aimed at strengthening the partnership between the European Union and the Council of Europe.
This declaration creates a framework allowing for cooperation between the two organisations, in the context of recent developments in Europe and the priorities that are emerging in their respective activities, notably concerning the democratic stability of the continent. It provides, notably, for an annual meeting to plan activities, ensure the monitoring of joint programmes and assess their implementation.
Patten and Schwimmer also signed a new joint programme aimed, notably, at consolidating the legal system and promoting human rights in Albania.
As we stand, joint activities relate to: - the European Social Charter; - the Venice Commission; - abolition of the death penalty; - adaptation of legislation on the media in Serbia; - Northern Caucasus; - Stability Pact. Several other programmes concerning specific countries: Russia, Albania, Moldova. The fundi g of these programmes (2.794,338 euro in all) is assured to the tune of 63% by the European Union and 37% by the Council of Europe