Minister Byrne to attend Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 13 Bealtaine 2025
The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, is in Luxembourg today (Tuesday, 13 May) to attend the annual Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting, taking place on 13 and 14 May.
During the two-day meeting, at a ceremony to mark the opening for signature of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, Minister Byrne will sign the Convention on behalf of Ireland.
The Committee of Ministers will address the ongoing war in Ukraine. In its work, the Council of Europe continues to lead on accountability mechanisms following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ministers will also discuss a proposal to develop a New Democratic Pact, which would seek to counter democratic backsliding in Europe, as well as discussing implementation of the outcomes from the fourth Council of Europe summit, held in Reykjavik in 2023.
Luxembourg has held the Presidency of the Council of Europe since November 2024. At the end of the Committee of Ministers meeting, it will hand over the Presidency to Malta for the term May-November 2025.
Speaking ahead of the Committee of Ministers meeting, Minister Byrne said:
“The promotion and protection of human rights continues to be a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy and the Council of Europe provides a vital opportunity for Ireland to promote and defend the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I look forward to engaging with fellow Ministers from across Europe on these issues during our meeting in Luxembourg.”