Council of Europe seeks closer cooperation with Belarus

          The Council of Europe’s long-term goal is to see Belarus within its ranks, Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe Philippe Boillat told media ahead of the regional conference on Professional Training of Judges and Prosecutors: Council of Europe’s Approach, BelTA reports. “I hope that this conference will contribute to the implementation of this goal,” said Philippe Boillat. Belarus is a full-fledged member of ten Council of Europe’s conventions. Earlier, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei stated that Belarus was ready to expand its participation in these conventions. For that reason, Philippe Boillat plans to hold bilateral meetings in the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see what can be done next.