Bijdrage Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton bij opening plenaire week EP (en)

Good to see the quality and intensity of the relationship between the EU and the Council of Europe growing, especially following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2007).

The two share a fundamental commitment to multilateralism and the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law. The Council of Europe sets benchmarks on these issues.

Europe is facing challenges to society that need us all to work together. These challenges include discrimination, corruption, human trafficking, violence against women, criminal use of Internet or the need to foster more intercultural dialogue.

We have an ambitious agenda for cooperation in 2011:

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  Likely to complete negotiations on EU accession to Convention on Human Rights - this will be a major milestone, and will improve coherence of Human Rights protection in Europe;

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  Based on successful cooperation in Eastern Partnership, we have also proposed to cooperate in countries of South Mediterranean, for instance in Morocco;

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  We can also do more together in Central Asia to strengthen the still fragile signs of democratisation;

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  We should also continue to seek stronger relationships with other partners who bring different strengths and experience to the table, such as OSCE.

Ambitious goals need good tools: so we need to be critical and prepared to change. Welcome the difficult reform process that Secretary General Jagland has launched to make the Council of Europe more relevant and efficient.

The creation of the EEAS i is also a major change and a step forward in creating a more coherent and consistent EU foreign policy; opening of EU Delegation to Council of Europe is an important step to strengthen coordination and partnership.

We should continue to back one-another up, to improve shared values. As Europe is changing, our cooperation is changing. Our goal is more democracy, peace, and prosperity.

The nature of our cooperation means permanent challenge: now and in the future, it remains important to work hard, relying on each others' strengths, to ensure European societies are based on our shared values.