On June 30, 2023, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Slovakia’s accession to the Council of Europe, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Miroslav Wlachovský, highlighted the contribution of this international organization of European states to the democratization of Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain. He described the help of the Council of Europe for Slovakia on the way to European integration as irreplaceable.
“Thirty years ago, it was support for the consolidation of democracy, human rights or strengthening the resilience of our state institutions. Today, we cooperate, for example, in the field of combating racism and hate speech, protecting minorities and supporting media freedom. Even for professing and supporting these ideals, there is no place in the Council of Europe for members who flagrantly violate international law,” said M. Wlachovský, recalling last year’s unanimous expulsion of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe for its military aggression against Ukraine.
The head of Slovak diplomacy praised the position of the Council of Europe on the topic of the war against Ukraine provoked by Russia. Its priority remains the continued support of the attacked country, also with regard to inferring responsibility. At the same time, M. Wlachovský recalled the creation of the Register of Damages, which he described as the first step towards compensation for the victims. He promised the full support of Slovakia in this effort.
The basic obligations of the member states of the Council of Europe, which was established in 1949, include the obligation to accept the principles of the rule of law, to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons. Today, the Council is a recognized international institution in the field of human rights, the initiator of the system of European conventions, but also a discussion political parliamentary forum of representatives of various parties and civil associations.
