11-05-2011
On May 2011 in the frames of Istanbul 121st Ministry meeting of Committee of Ministers of European Council a ceremony on passing the chairmanship of Ukraine in the Committee of Ministers of European Council took place.
Minister of Foreigner Affairs Kostyantyn Hryschenko proceeded to implementation of obligations of active head of Committee of Ministers of European Council. Ukraine was handed the relay baton in Turkey until November 2011 when it place will be occupied by Great Britain. During the solemn ceremony in Istanbul, the head of Turkish Foreign Policy Department Ahmet Dawutogl passed over to K.Hryschenko the symbolic “key from Europe”.
During his chairmanship Ukraine will secure the succession in reaching the goals and priorities of Organization’s activities – democratic consolidation, ensuring with supremacy of right and protection of human rights.
Ukrainian chairmanship is planning to fulfill a series of practical steps in a direction towards realization of principal priorities of activities of European Council as well as direct its activity upon the strengthening of political role of European Council in the system of European institutions, ability of Organization to react effectively upon the calls of contemporaneity and realize its mission on saving and protection of all-European democratic values.
Ukrainian chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of European Council lasting until November 20111 will become the first Ukrainian membership in Organization for almost sixteen –year history.