- The co-operation between the Council of Europe and the EU is increasing, and the Summit in Warsaw in May 2005 gave a fresh impetus to this development. The last three years increase in the budget for project co-operation - from 28 million Euros in 2003 to 52 million Euros in 2005 – is a clear indication of a genuine partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Union, says the leader of the Rapporteur group on relations between the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union (EU), Norwegian ambassador Mr. Torbjørn Frøysnes.
18/05/2006 :: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the CoE and the EU, to be negotiated in 2006, is a direct result of the decisions taken at the Warsaw Summit and at the 115th Session of the Committee of Ministers in November 2005. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Mr. Juncker, has accepted the task to draw up a personal report on the future relations between the CoE and the EU.
- Mr. Ambassador, what expectations do you, as chairman of the working group on CoE-EU relations, have to the co-operation?
- The CoE and the EU have for decades co-operated on a variety of issues (including education and culture, justice and home affairs, social and health matters, and minority issues). This co-operation has to a large extent been based on contacts between the Secretariat of the CoE and the European Commission. The range of challenges throughout the continent makes it important to anchor the relations between the two organisations on a governmental level. The memorandum of understanding will presumably be a framework for enhanced co-operation and political dialogue, and new projects of co-operation will, hopefully develop on the basis of this, as capitals become more involved.
- The EU is now in the process of setting up a Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna. How can this compliment the tasks of the Council?
- The CoE is strengthening its co-operation with the EU in the fields of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the promotion on pluralistic democracy and the rule of law. The present Beaurau in Vienna is today focusing on issues related to non-discrimination. An expanded Agency will strengthen the focus on human rights and must be welcomed. The co-operation will hopefully provide for a close institutional relationship, where the activities of the Agency are co-ordinated with those of the Council. An EU endorsement to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will secure joint treatment of human rights issues in Europe. The Memorandum of Understanding will also help concretise the co-ordination between the organisations.
- Which areas of increased co-operation do you see within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding?
- According to the Action Plan from the Third Summit and the communiqué from the 115th Session of the Committee of Ministers the political dialogue between the CoE and the EU shall be strengthened. Further areas of increased co-operation mentioned in the Action Plan concern the Venice Commission, prevention of torture (CPT), corruption, the Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights. It is important to strengthen the total capacity on human rights protection and the mechanisms of supervision.
- How do you see Norway can benefit from the increased co-operation?
- As a non-member country to the EU, we certainly welcome the clear signals of stronger EU involvement in the Council of Europe co-operation. Norway has always supported a strengthening of the pan-European perspective. It is indeed a project of historical dimensions to secure democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights throughout the whole of Europe, comprising 800 million citizens.