Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yιannis Loverdos, participated in the 134th Session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, which took place in Luxembourg on 13 and 14 May.
During his intervention, Mr. Loverdos underlined the fundamental role of the Council of Europe as the guardian of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. He also highlighted the contemporary challenges facing the international community, such as geopolitical tensions, illegal immigration, climate change and the rapid progress of artificial intelligence.
He made special reference to Greece's voluntary financial contribution to the European Court of Human Rights, aimed at effectively managing the increasing volume of pending applications before the Court.
Concluding his statement, the Deputy Minister stressed the importance of investing in the new generation, education and the protection of children's rights, areas that were key pillars during the recent Greek Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, as well as core priorities for Greece as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–2026 term.
In the margins of the Ministerial Session, Mr. Loverdos held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Bjorn Berge, during which they discussed the importance of active youth participation in democratic processes.
As part of his visit, the Deputy Minister met with the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg, Mr. Claude Wiseler, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation. He also visited the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and attended a reception hosted by the Embassy of Greece in Luxembourg. During the event, he had the opportunity to engage with representatives of the Greek Diaspora and inform them about the government's initiatives to support Greeks abroad.
May 15, 2025