Mr. Jagland received 165 votes from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, compared with the 80 received by his rival candidate. He was delighted that so many had voted and that the result was so clear.
Modernization and improvements in effectiveness
In thanking the Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Jagland paid tribute to Europe as the greatest peace project ever, and to the cooperation between the European countries. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Jagland has emphasized the Council of Europe’s potential as bridge-builder, as well as the need to strengthen the Council’s position and modernize the organization, to ensure that it remains politically relevant in today’s Europe.
Mr. Jagland took up his position only two days later, on October 1, 2009. Two of the first issues he will address are improving the effectiveness of the European Court of Human Rights, and relations with Council of Europe member Russia.
Mr. Jagland pointed out that 850 million people can send their cases to the European Court of Human Rights, and that 100,000 do so annually, which in his view makes the Council of Europe the most important human rights organization in the world.
Founding member
Norway was one of the ten founding members of the Council of Europe, in 1949. The Council of Europe is the oldest of the European cooperation organisations, and currently has 47 member countries. Its most important task is to ensure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Norway’s Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, commented that he was fully aware that Thorbjørn Jagland faces a very demanding task, but that he was confident that he would fulfil this role in an excellent manner. He added that Norway attaches great importance to cooperation in the Council of Europe, and that the Norwegian government will support Mr. Jagland in his work as Secretary General.