Moldovan foreign affairs minister provides details on agenda of Ministerial Session of Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe

The Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will put up for debate such topics as combating disinformation, malign interference and foreign meddling, including in the information space. The issues related to strengthening the international mechanism for holding the Russian Federation accountable for the crimes of aggression committed against Ukraine will also be addressed. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi has made statements to this effect in an interview given exclusively with MOLDPRES.

The official underlined that the event would also discuss migration – a sensitive topic for many states, which has an impact on social cohesion, economic processes and political processes, and therefore requires a highly responsible approach.

“We will also discuss the Pact for Democracy, an idea promoted by Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset, as well as the classic agenda, which is extremely important for us: promoting the rights of children and young people, promoting women’s rights, combating domestic violence and strengthening the institutions of the Council of Europe, whether we are talking about the European Court of Human Rights, the Venice Commission or the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. All these institutions are extremely important for our country,” said Mihai Popsoi.

There will also be more working groups that will discuss the topics at the center of attention of the member states and of the organization itself.

“On the sidelines of the event, I will also have a string of bilateral meetings. Other colleagues will likely make use of this opportunity to hold discussions as well. Regrettably, there is not enough time to take advantage of all opportunities and meet all requests, but we will make efforts to hold as many bilateral meetings as possible, in order to make full use of this unique chance, when the hospitality of Moldova is in the spotlight, and our country manages not only to promote its political and diplomatic agenda, but also its cultural agenda,” Mihai Popsoi emphasized.

The deputy PM noted that organizing this event was a great honor for the country, as well as a huge responsibility.

“We are firmly convinced that the meeting will be organized at the highest level, given the experience which Moldova already has in organizing important events. We will certainly make full use of this opportunity and of the openness of our friends towards Moldova to promote our agenda not only in the context of the Council of Europe, but also in the context of European integration, which represents a national priority and our strategic direction. Considering that most of our guests will be decision-makers from the member states of the European Union, we will ensure that we also facilitate progress in this direction,” added Mihai Popsoi.

Moldova will host the 135th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. More than 50 delegations from member states are expected at the event, including over 20 foreign ministers. The meeting, organized in Chisinau on May 15, marks the end of Moldova’s term in the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The country on November 14, 2025 took over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The mandate is exercised by Moldova for a period of six months, until May 15, this year. This is the second mandate exercised by the country since accession, the first having taken place in 2003.

The Council of Europe is a European intergovernmental organization set up on  May 5, 1949. It currently has 46 member states and its official seat is in Strasbourg (France). The main goals of the Council of Europe are the protection of human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law; raising awareness of and further developing Europe’s cultural identity and diversity; identifying solutions to the problems facing European society and strengthening democratic stability in Europe by supporting political, legislative and constitutional reforms.

Moldova became a member of the Council of Europe on July 13, 1995.