site.btaPrime Minister, Parliament Chair Confer with Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland

Prime Minister, Parliament Chair Confer with Council of Europe Secretary  General Jagland

Sofia, October 12 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov 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, Cabinet's Press Service
said.

The two 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,
 which our country is faced with, but also as an opportunity to
contribute to the regulation of the main political processes,
which are in the interest of the democratic security in Europe,"
 Borissov is quoted as saying during the meeting. The two agreed
 that Europe is facing new challenges, which call for joint
solutions to be sought.

Borissov has underscored that the effective countering of
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 increasing 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 has once again underscored Bulgaria's position that the
 international community's efforts must be aimed at reducing
tensions in conflict zones, supporting the building of
institutions, the establishment of the rule of law and human
rights protection.

Parliament Chair Tsetska 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 re-confirmed Bulgaria's position about 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 Venetian 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 in Europe.