A new framework agreement has been signed in Strasbourg under the EEA and Norway Grants, with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway reinforcing their long-standing support for the Council of Europe for the next seven years.
As part of the agreement, five mission-driven initiatives were launched, in line with the Council of Europe's priorities and with the New Democratic Pact for Europe, namely to address:
- Violence against women
- Action against corruption and money laundering
- Response to hate speech and hate crime
- Disinformation
- The rule of law
On this occasion, the Council of Europe hosted a seminar exploring how the renewed partnership strengthens its ability to respond effectively to the complex challenges facing Europe today. Initiatives to be implemented by Council of Europe were highlighted by the Secretary of the Venice Commission, Simona Granata-Menghini (rule of law), the Head of Democratic Institutions and Freedoms Department, Irena Guidikova (disinformation) and the Director of Equal Rights and Dignity, Hallvard Gorseth (violence against women). Other speakers included Ambassadors Ragnhildur Arnljótsdóttir, Iceland, Domenik Wanger, Liechtenstein, and Maria Spassova, Bulgaria. In addition, Erik Furu, Coordinator for Council of Europe Affairs at the Norwegian MFA presented their White Paper; "Promoting democracy, rule of law and human rights in Europe."
Opening the seminar with Ambassador Helge Seland of Norway, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge said that the warning in Norway's White Paper is clear: "Authoritarian forces are gaining ground, even where we least expect it. But today's agreements are proof that we are not standing still or remain a spectator. We are choosing to act together to strengthen democracy where it is in retreat, to protect trust where it is under attack and to defend the rule of law wherever it is being undermined."
The grant agreements were signed by Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge and Managing Director of FMO, Ragna Fidjestøl.
Speech by Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge
