Berset puts Ukraine at the center of his priorities
Published: Tuesday, Jun 25th 2024, 20:40
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Alain Berset has named Ukraine as his main priority for his office as Secretary General of the Council of Europe. His second priority is the fight against the erosion of democracy in the world.
Berset said this on Tuesday evening, shortly after he was elected as the next Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He delivered his speech in French and English, the two official languages of the organization.
When he talks about Ukraine, he doesn't just mean the institutions or the country, but the Ukrainians and their children, said Berset. He wanted to deepen and broaden the issues surrounding Ukraine with a working group. The various bodies of the Council of Europe are to sit on the new working group.
With regard to the erosion of democracy, the Freiburg native named important principles for him. A plan is needed to regenerate democracy with a focus on inclusion and participation at local level as well as unity on humanist values, a common understanding of a democratic society with a constitutional state and respect for cultural diversity and variety.
In response to a question about Switzerland, the newly elected Secretary General replied that the Council of Europe as an institution was very important for the continent and for Switzerland. Switzerland is a proud and committed member of the Council of Europe, just like the other 45 member states.
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