On 14 February 2023, the EU Delegation organised an exchange of views with EEAS Managing Director Belén Martinez Carbonell and the European Union Heads of Mission to the Council of Europe.  

Ms Martinez Carbonell introduced the EU global agenda and highlighted three main priorities: addressing the Russian aggression against Ukraine; improving multilateralism and human rights; and strengthening EU resilience especially regarding modern challenges. Welcoming the recent adoption of the Conclusions on EU priorities for cooperation with the Council of Europe 2023-2024, she pointed out specific issues such as the abolition of the death penalty, digital and environmental rights, and stressed that the most important priority is the EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). She also noted that Mr Frans van Daele  was appointed by the European Commission to be its Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) outside the EU. 

Ms Belén Martinez Carbonell also held high-level discussions with Mr Miroslav Papa, Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General and with Mr Bjørn Berge, the Council of Europe's Deputy Secretary General. They discussed the excellent co-operation between the Council of Europe and the EU, the importance of multilateralism and the unwavering support to Ukraine.

Finally, Ms Belén Martinez Carbonell attended a working lunch with Mr Christos Giakoumopoulos, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, and Ms Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity of the Council of Europe.