site.btaCouncil of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland Pays Visit to Bulgaria

Council of Europe Secretary  General Thorbjorn Jagland Pays Visit to Bulgaria

Sofia, October 12 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Foreign
 Minister Daniel Mitov and Parliament Chair Tsetska Tsacheva
conferred here on Monday with Council of Europe Secretary
General Thorbjorn Jagland, who is paying an official visit to
Bulgaria, the government information service said.

Borissov and Jagland discussed Bulgaria's upcoming chairmanship
of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers in the period
November 2015 - May 2016, as well as the main topics on the
organization's agenda, such as the refugee and migrant crisis
and the fight against radicalization which leads to terrorism.

"We view the upcoming chairmanship as a highly responsible task
facing my country, but also as an opportunity to contribute to
the regulation of the main political processes, which are in the
 interest of democratic security in Europe," Borissov is quoted
as saying at the meeting. The two agreed that Europe is facing
new challenges, which call for joint solutions to be sought.

Borissov underscored that the effective fight against terrorism
requires active international cooperation, combined with
decisive actions on national level. According to him, the
Council of Europe is reacting promptly and adequately to the
challenges related to the growing manifestations of
radicalization and extremism, which could lead to acts of
terrorism.

Borissov and Jagland noted that the complication and scale of
the crisis require joint and coordinated efforts from all
countries, as well as common European solidarity. The Prime
Minister reiterated Bulgaria's position that the international
community's efforts must be aimed at reducing tensions in
conflict zones and supporting the building of institutions, the
establishment of a rule of law and human rights protection.

Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and Jagland discussed the
priorities of Bulgaria's upcoming chairmanship of the Council of
 Europe's Committee of Ministers and matters of current
relevance to the organization.

Mitov said that Bulgaria's chairmanship, which starts on
November 10, is a responsible task which opens up an opportunity
 to contribute to the regulation of the main political processes
 in the interest of democratic security in Europe: the situation
 in Ukraine, the threat of radicalization leading to terrorism,
the dynamic migration processes and human rights protection.

Jagland stressed that in the context of various crises - the
Ukraine crisis, the refugee crisis and the conflicts close to
Europe in Syria and Libya, it is important to have a common
European platform for protection of human rights and the rule of
 law across Europe.

Jagland added that his meetings with the Prime Minister, the
Justice Minister and the Foreign Minister focused on the
achievements and future steps in judicial reform, the fight
against corruption, and what can be done jointly to protect the
freedom of speech and the media, which is a challenge for the
whole of Europe. Protecting the main principles of law, the
separation of powers, judicial independence and media freedom
are fundamental to the present period of European history, he
said.

Asked about the migrant crisis, Mitov said that Bulgaria is
doing a good job of protecting the EU's external borders,
accommodating migrants and providing adequate conditions. He
added that there is always room for improvement and Bulgaria
will do its best to improve the functioning of its institutions
dealing with the reception and registration of migrants and
their integration.

Jagland said that it should be kept in mind that each individual
 who sets foot in Europe is protected by the European.
Convention on Human Rights. 

Parliament leader Tsacheva and Jagland also discussed Bulgaria's
 upcoming chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of
Ministers, Parliament said in a press release.

Tsacheva reconfirmed Bulgaria's position on the Council of
Europe's leading role in the process for affirming a common
European democratic area.

Continuing the reform in the judiciary is a main priority for
Parliament's fall session, Tsacheva said, adding that the
ambition is to have the constitutional amendments voted
conclusively by the end of the session. Parliament is working
well jointly with the Venice Commission as an institution of the
 Council of Europe, she noted.

Thorbjorn Jagland voiced his satisfaction with the preparations
for Bulgaria's upcoming chairmanship of the Council of Europe's
Committee of Ministers. Among its priorities are children's
rights protection, improving young people's access to culture,
protecting vulnerable groups and the media from external
influence.

Tsacheva and Jagland also discussed MPs' and magistrates'
immunity, freedom of speech and the refugee wave in Europe.