Indrek Saar is running for the position following a decision of the government of Estonia, and said at the meeting that he was completely convinced about the irreplaceable role of the Council of Europe, and as Secretary General, he would work to make the organisation even more effective.
“The Council of Europe is Europe’s conscience, and it has just demonstrated that it can stand up for human rights, democracy and rule of law even during the most difficult times,” Saar said. He added that in the near future, the most important policies of the Council of Europe would be related to Ukraine. “A register of war damages, a compensation mechanism, setting up a special tribunal and bringing back deported children are important policies for Estonia, and the Council of Europe has a notable role in implementing them.”
In addition to Ukraine, Indrek Saar would focus on increasing the influence of the organisation in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and compliance with court decisions. In Saar’s view, the future perspective of the Council of Europe involves two main areas: artificial intelligence and the environment, which are both gaining in relevance – especially in light of engaging with young people. Developing the organisation is another important topic.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna introduced Indrek Saar as a reliable long-term colleague who enjoyed broad support from the government of Estonia in running for the position of a secretary general. “Indrek Saar is always willing to come to a compromise to ensure a result,” Tsahkna said. “I am convinced he can successfully meet the challenges facing the organisation and advance the values that take the work of the Council of Europe forward.”
Indrek Saar has been a member of the Estonian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for more than a decade. In 2023, Indrek Saar was named honorary member of the PACE.
Founded in 1949 and now having 46 members, the Council of Europe is an international organisation aimed at promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law across Europe and beyond. The organisation is headquartered in Strasbourg, France. More than 220 conventions and agreements have been adopted under the aegis of the Council of Europe, most notably the European Convention on Human Rights that serves as a basis for the European Court of Human Rights.
The secretary general is in charge of the Secretariat of the Council of Europe and the budgeting of the organisation, and is responsible for implementing its programme.
The secretary general is elected by the Council’s managing bodies: the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly. Member states of the Council of Europe will vote on the candidates at a session at the Committee of Ministers scheduled for 25 March. Based on the results, the candidates will be submitted to a final vote in the Parliamentary Assembly in late June. The mandate of the new secretary general of the Council of Europe begins on 18 September 2024. The duration of the term is 5 years.
