Estonian flag to be hoisted in Strasbourg in honor of Council of Europe chairmanship
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the European Court of Human Rights this afternoon, Bulgaria will symbolically pass the chairmanship of the Council of Europe (CoE) on to Estonia, after which the Bulgarian flag in Broglie Square will be lowered and replaced with the Estonian tricolor.
Estonian Minister of Culture Indrek Saar, CoE Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni and Strasbourg Deputy Mayor Nawel Rafik-Elmrini will be taking part in the flag ceremony.
The priorities of the Estonian chairmanship are human rights and the rule of law on the Internet, gender equality, and children’s rights. While in Strasbourg, the Estonian Minister of Culture will meet with Battaini-Dragoni and the Council of Europe's Director General of Democracy, Snežana Samardžić-Marković to discuss these priorities.
Estonia officially took over the chairmanship of the CoE from Bulgaria on May 18; it will remain chair through November 22.
Estonia joined the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on May 14, 1993, and is chair of the organization for the second time.
The Council of Europe, which represents 47 European countries, deals primarily with matters involving human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, including issues regarding the development of education and culture.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik