The Secretary General of the 46-member Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has strongly endorsed Ireland's on-ongoing commitment to the international rules-based order on his first official visit to Ireland.
"Ireland was a founding member of the Council of Europe and has always been a dedicated supporter of our work to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe and beyond," said the Secretary General.
"Today, this is clearly reflected in Ireland's on-going commitment to upholding international law, to ensuring accountability for Ukraine, and to managing contemporary issues such as migration within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights.
"Now, more than ever, we need to join forces to defend the international rules-based order and to protect the values that we cherish. Ireland is a most valued partner in that essential work."
During today's visit, the Secretary General met Ireland's President, Catherine Connolly, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, and Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and at the Department of Defence.
Discussions focussed on recent geopolitical developments, including conflict in the Middle East, the importance of democratic security in the face of significant challenges to the international rule of law, and the Council of Europe's priority work in support of Ukraine.
They also addressed the future role of the Council of Europe, with a shared interest in strengthening its political and geopolitical dimension in response to current challenges in order to achieve stability and democratic security in Europe.
On-going negotiations towards a political declaration on issues related to migration and the European Convention on Human Rights were also discussed, ahead of the forthcoming meeting of Council of Europe foreign ministers in Chișinău (Republic of Moldova) on 15 May.
Whilst in Dublin, the Secretary General also met civil society organisations, including the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, as well as members of Ireland's delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Ireland and the Council of Europe
The impact of the European Convention on Human Rights in Ireland
European Court of Human Rights "Country profile" on Ireland (pdf)
