The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has congratulated the Republic of Cyprus on its commitment to follow the recommendations of the Council's specialised bodies.
He was speaking during a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis on 9 September, on the occasion of his visit to Cyprus.
He also expressed his readiness to get involved in the case of the illegal detention of five Greek Cypriots in Cyprus’ Turkish occupied area upon his return to Strasbourg.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Justice, Hartsiotis welcomed Berset to Cyprus and noted that the visit comes at a particularly important time, as the Republic of Cyprus will soon assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
He stressed Cyprus' steadfast commitment to the principles of the Council of Europe and also pointed out that the close cooperation with European institutions, particularly on issues of transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental human rights should continue.
It is added that the Minister of Justice noted the contribution of specialised bodies such as GRECO, MONEYVAL, and CPT, which strengthen the collective effort to combat corruption, ensure human rights, and protect citizens, while also welcoming the new Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment as an effective response to the challenges of the climate crisis.
It is also stated that in response to a question from the CoE Secretary General about the intentions of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession, Hartsiotis expressed the Government's intention to proceed with a decision by the Council of Ministers to sign the Convention within the current month, something for which the Secretary General expressed his satisfaction.
Berset noted that, in his view, the universal values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are currently under unprecedented pressure, a fact that must be addressed with a strong legal system. At the same time, he acknowledged and congratulated the Republic of Cyprus for its commitment to follow the recommendations of the Council's specialised bodies, such as GRECO, MONEYVAL, and CPT, adding that one of the Council's priorities is accountability for everything that is happening in Ukraine.
On the occasion of the meeting, Hartsiotis requested the intervention of the Council of Europe on the issue of the violation of the human rights of the five Greek Cypriots illegally detained by the occupying regime, with the Secretary General responding by expressing his readiness to get involved in the case upon his return to Strasbourg, the statement concludes.
(Source: CNA)
