The 122 nd Ministerial session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was held in Strasbourg on 23 May 2012. The agenda of the Ministerial consisted of the following items: Securing the long-term effectiveness of the supervisory mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights; Policy of the Council of Europe towards neighboring regions; Council of Europe reform process and Overcoming obstacles to human rights protection in the areas affected by the conflict in Georgia.

In the position paper circulated during the Ministerial, Georgian side addressed all items of the formal agenda, signifying the importance of reforming the CoE, ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the supervisory mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights and rendering support to the states in the neighboring regions by raising their awareness of the CoE values and principles.

During the Ministerial Session, special attention was delegated to the agenda item - "Overcoming Obstacles to Human Rights Protection in the Areas Affected by the Conflict in Georgia". It is a firm belief of Georgian side that by keeping this issue high on the political agenda of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe contributes to the alleviation of these grave consequences not only for the benefit of the victims of ethnic cleansing, whose basic human rights - including the right to a safe, dignified and voluntary return to their homes - continue to be brutally violated by the occupying state, bur also for all of its member states.

Accordingly, Georgia welcomes the positions of the member states expressed at the Ministerial meeting with regard to the agenda item "Overcoming Obstacles to Human Rights Protection in the Areas Affected by the Conflict in Georgia" and highly values their unwavering support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. Many states addressed Russian authorities with firm reminders on the necessity to implement the internationally undertaken commitments, including the provisions of 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and protection of human rights in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia.

Georgian side expresses gratitude to the UK Chairmanship for the dedication and efficiency, and wishes success to the incoming Albanian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

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