Spanish Foreign Minister visits Iceland to reaffirm support with Ukraine

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Foreign Minister
Council of Europe Summit 2023

Madrid, 17 May 2023(TDI): The Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, visits Iceland to reaffirm the political support with Ukraine on its regional issues.

The IV Summit of the Council of Europe (CoE) in Reykjavik brings representatives together from member states to discuss pressing issues and chart the course for the organization’s future.

The first objective of the summit is to reaffirm political support and solidarity with Ukraine. This emphasizes the CoE’s commitment to upholding democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law in the face of ongoing challenges in Ukraine.

The summit provides an opportunity for member states to express their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region.

Discussions may focus on measures to address human rights violations, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote stability in Ukraine.

The second objective of the summit is to strengthen and revitalize the role of the Council of Europe itself. The CoE is an international organization comprising 47 member states dedicated to promoting and protecting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across Europe.

However, the organization faces challenges in adapting to evolving political landscapes and maintaining its relevance in a rapidly changing world. The summit serves as a platform to address these challenges and explore ways to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the CoE.

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Furthermore, the summit provides an opportunity for member states to engage in constructive dialogue, exchange best practices, and explore areas of common interest.

Leaders and representatives can discuss strategies to promote democratic governance, protect human rights, combat corruption, ensure freedom of expression and media pluralism, and foster inclusive societies.

These documents will outline the shared vision, priorities, and strategies of member states to advance the objectives of supporting Ukraine and strengthening the CoE.

They may also propose specific initiatives, reforms, or institutional changes aimed at reinforcing the CoE’s impact and influence in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law throughout Europe.

The IV Summit of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik seeks to reassert political support for Ukraine while revitalizing the role of the organization itself.

It provides a forum for member states to demonstrate solidarity, exchange ideas, and collectively address the challenges and opportunities facing Europe in terms of human rights, democracy, and governance.