Daniel Mitov: Democratic practices, education, youth participation are the best antidote against extremism and xenophobia
26 January 2016 News
In his capacity as Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Mitov reviewed some of the main activities of the Committee of Ministers since last autumn.
Minister Mitov focused on topical issues on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers and the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship.
In the General Debate, Daniel Mitov addressed questions regarding the migrant and refugee crisis in Europe, the rights of women and children, the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the situation in Ukraine and Belarus.
“Our member states, including Bulgaria, are experiencing serious financial difficulties when addressing the refugee crisis. The refugees have the right of protection provided under the European Convention on Human Rights as they arrive in Europe and we should be aware that the way we treat refugees concerns not only them but also us and our own future,” Minister Mitov said.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister recalled the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship, including strengthening the protection of young people and vulnerable social groups, focusing on initiatives to prevent marginalisation and social exclusion, as well as protecting media from external influence.
“In a moment when young people are severely affected by unemployment and poverty, the democratic practices, education and authorising the young people to protect the states from internal conflicts are the best, not to say the only antidote against extremism, racism and xenophobia,” pointed out Daniel Mitov.
The Bulgarian Minister also called for guaranteeing free access to the conflict areas in Georgia and declared Council of Europe’s intention to improve the guarantees for protection of human rights in the region.
Minister Mitov also expressed Committee’s concerns over the worsening legal and administrative framework for the civil society and the independent media in Azerbaijan.
The participants discussed also migration, the good cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey, the signing of the Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
On the second day of his visit to Strasbourg Minister Mitov will join the official delegation of Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev.
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