Brussels, 14/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Council of Europe has called on European governments to better protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse by ratifying its Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. It has pledged to draw governments' attention to the need to bring this convention into force with all speed, and to offer support to the ratification process through the holding of regional conferences. The first such conference will be held in Copenhagen (Denmark) on 21 and 22 May, with the host country's justice minister, Lene Espersen, present. Since its adoption in October 2007, the convention has been signed by 28 of the Council of Europe's 47 member states. It represents considerable progress in the effort to prevent sexual offences against children, to prosecute perpetrators, to protect victims and to engage in international co-operation. (B.C.)