Deputy Minister Georg Georgiev: International Solidarity Vital for Winning War on COVID-19
04 November 2020 News
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, at its 130th session held by video conference, discussed the challenges to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev represented Bulgaria.
He highlighted the special role of the Council of Europe in supporting member states’ efforts for tackling the pandemic while respecting basic values related to human rights, democracy and rule of law. According to him, the current situation has demonstrated very clearly the need for strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation that have proved of key importance for tackling the crisis.
„European and global solidarity offer the only tool for winning the battle with COVID-19,“ Georg Georgiev said and went on to add that the response to the pandemic should be united, coordinated, and transparent in order to avoid the dissemination of disinformation and fake news.
The Deputy Minister pointed out that the exacerbation of social and economic inequalities is among the pandemic’s serious risks and highlighted the important role of the European Social Charter and the Council of Europe for overcoming such negative trends.
The session also focused on the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and on ensuring maximum long-term efficiency of the system of the Convention on Human Rights and the Council of Europe’s policy of the towards neighbouring regions.
The Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers has issued an „Athens Declaration“ titled „Effectively responding to a public health crisis in full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law“ reflecting the work of the Council of Europe and its competent bodies in support of the member states’ efforts to combat the pandemic. The Declaration is focused on the exacerbation of the situation of various vulnerable groups as a result of COVID-19 as well as the need for greater solidarity and for strengthening multilateral cooperation in overcoming the crisis.