Luxembourg to assume Council of Europe presidency on 14 November

In preparation for Luxembourg's upcoming presidency of the Council of Europe, Secretary General Alain Berset visited the Grand Duchy on Thursday.

Starting on 14 November, Luxembourg will assume the presidency of the Council of Europe, the first and oldest European intergovernmental organisation, for a period of six months. During this time, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel will chair the Committee of Ministers which comprises the foreign ministers of the 46 member countries. The Council of Europe is not to be confused with the European Council, which is part of the executive of the European Union.

Luxembourg plans to focus on three key priorities during its presidency.

The first priority aligns with the founding principles of the Council of Europe, which was established to uphold human rights and the rule of law. Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel noted that several countries within the Council do not adhere to the judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which is a body of the Council. "That is a problem," Bettel said, emphasising the need for internal discussions regarding the state of the rule of law among member states.

The second priority for Luxembourg involves fostering coexistence among member countries. The Luxembourgish chief diplomat aims to facilitate dialogue between nations in conflict, such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, to bring them back to the negotiating table.

The Luxembourgish presidency also aims to strengthen diversity and combat hatred through enhanced cultural exchange among the 46 member states. In this context, the logo for the presidency is inspired by a sculpture created by Luxembourgish artist Lucien Wercollier. Minister Bettel highlighted the significance of this choice, noting that Wercollier was a survivor of two concentration camps and refused to yield to a powerful neighbour. "I find that to be a strong symbol," Bettel stated.

Secretary General Alain Berset emphasised that Luxembourg's role as a founding member of the Council of Europe is particularly meaningful as it assumes the presidency at a critical juncture for Europe. He pointed out that Europe is facing multiple crises, making it all the more significant for a country committed to the Council to take the lead. Berset also outlined long-term priorities for the organisation, including establishing common rules for artificial intelligence and addressing environmental issues.

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe.

Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish and French)