Information Documents
SG/Com(2010)1074 (restricted) 12 January 2010
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Dialogue with the
Secretary General and
Deputy Secretary General
at the 1074th meeting of the
Ministers’ Deputies (12-13 January)
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Dialogue with the Secretary General
I will make an oral presentation about my recent official visits to Moscow and Bern.
I will report back to you about my other commitments and official visits which have taken place at your 1075th meeting on 20 January.
Dialogue with the Deputy Secretary General
1. Conference on “Local communities and the policies of hospitality and integration in Europe and in the Mediterranean – Forum of the Intercultural Cities”
- Bari, Italy (11 December)
On 10 December, I travelled to Bari to participate in the Conference on "Local communities and the policies of hospitality and integration in Europe and in the Mediterranean - Forum of the Intercultural Cities" organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the region of Apulia. In my speech, which is available on the website of the Council of Europe, I underlined that cities are the best places in which policies and practices which encourage interaction, understanding and respect between different cultures and ethnic groups can be promoted and that is the reason why the Intercultural Cities programme was launched in 2008 jointly with the European Commission.
The Conference was attended by representatives of the Pilot Intercultural Cities, Mayors from cities in the South Mediterranean and the Balkans regions, officials from national and international institutions and organisations, as well as journalists.
The event was also the occasion to launch the European campaign against discrimination in the region of Apulia.
I gave interviews to national and local Italian media (RAI Tv, Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, Corrière del Mezzogiorno).
I should like to thank the Italian authorities for their hospitality throughout my stay in Bari.
2. Meeting with Mr Hiroshi Kawamura, Director, European Policy Division, European Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Strasbourg (14 December)
On 14 December, I met Mr Hiroshi Kawamura, Director in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, responsible for Europe Policy Division. We discussed prospects for future co-operation, especially with regard to the Cybercrime and the Anti-Trafficking Convention, as well as the Convention against sexual exploitation and abuse of children. I also thanked Mr Kawamura for Japan's financial contributions to the work of the Council of Europe and expressed our hope that these will continue in the future. In response to my question about the death penalty, Mr Kawamura reiterated the official position of the Japanese authorities, but also mentioned that three members of the Parliamentary Association for the Abolition of the Death Penalty are now members of the new government, and they include the new Minister of Justice. Mr Kawamura also informed me of Japan's efforts to foster co-operation among Asian countries, inspired by the European experience. Because of substantial political differences between different governments in Asia, the initiative will in the first stages focus on functional co-operation.
3. Meeting with Mr Byong-Hyun Lee, Minister Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Korea in Paris
- Strasbourg (23 December)
On 23 December I met with Mr Byong-Hyun Lee, Minister Plenipotentiary, from the Embassy of Korea in Paris. He conveyed the message that Korea is interested in becoming an observer to the Council of Europe and enquired about the applicable procedure and conditions. I emphasised the importance of the abolition of the death penalty or a moratorium thereof as a minimum requirement. Mr Lee further stated that Korea would envisage opening a small office in Strasbourg. Two ratifications of Council of Europe treaties are underway (Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons; Protocol to the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters). Korea also continues to be interested in the Cybercrime Convention. Mr Lee was also interested in information about the EU-CoE relationship, in particular following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty.
I promised to provide him with details concerning the procedure for obtaining observer status, and, pending that, to support all other practical forms of co-operation.