Norway will be chairing the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May-November 2004, a challenging office, since this period will witness great changes in European co-operation structures. The most notable of these, the enlargement of the EU from 15 to 25 countries, will constitute a great challenge for the Council, and for Norway, as a non-member of the EU, it will be very important to seek to ensure that the Council continues to play a significant role in the long-term efforts to strengthen the rule of law, especially as regards human rights and democracy. This is where the Council’s special expertise and competence lie.
During its chairmanship Norway will focus especially on the Council’s role in a changing Europe and on strengthening the political dialogue. Key issues will be those related to the prevention of international conflicts, co-operation on the development of democracy and the rule of law, and young people’s engagement in these areas.
Norway takes the chairmanship seriously. It will give the country an opportunity to influence the agenda in the Council’s main spheres of work. One of Norway’s main tasks will be in connection with the identification of measures for preventing international conflicts and promoting peace and stability.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs