Secretary General of Council of Europe visits Moscow

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland will visit Moscow from 21 to 23 December, COE official website reported. On his first official visit to a member State of the Organisation he will meet the highest Russian authorities, including the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, the Presidents of both parliamentary chambers, Boris Gryzlov and Sergei Mironov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov. The visit will also include discussions with other members of the Federal Government. The Secretary General will meet His Holiness Patriarch Kirill as well as members of civil society and human rights defenders.

"Russia is a major player in the European political architecture and plays a decisive role in maintaining peace and stability on the European continent. Russia's commitment is of crucial importance to the future of the Council of Europe as an Organisation, and to the progress and renewal of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. I look forward to a close and constructive dialogue during my visit", said the Secretary General.