"During the talks, the sides plan to exchange opinions on a wide range of issues, primarily related to the prospects of future development and improvement of cooperation between Russia and the Council of Europe, including such spheres as parliamentary ties, human rights, and legislative activities," Mr. Yakovenko stated.
The Russian diplomat announced that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe will meet with the Russian president's administration officials, conduct talks with the leadership of the Federal Assembly, foreign ministry, interior ministry and justice ministry officials, and also meet with members of the Russian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), with the human rights commissioner in the Russian Federation and the president of the Chechen Republic.
According to Mr. Yakovenko, the Russian side plans to inform Mr. Davis about the preparation for Russian presidency in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2006.
"Our priorities include further development of democracy, observance of human rights and the rule of law, consolidation of efforts on the part of all members of the Council of Europe aimed at the search for adequate responses to new challenges and threats facing European countries recently, strengthening of cooperation in the legal sphere, increase of social unity on the European space, expansion of mutual ties in the spheres of culture, education, sciences, sports and among the youth," the foreign ministry spokesman emphasized.
