Debates are never pointless as long as they share the same objective: the search for common solutions 

The traditional weekly meeting of the Committee of Ministers was moved this Wednesday from Strasbourg to Monaco to mark Monaco’s presidency of the European organisation, which continues until November.

This was a first for the main conference hall of the Oceanographic Museum, whose walls have nevertheless witnessed generations of prominent figures come and go. On Wednesday morning, it hosted the 1,567th meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

A meeting held away from the traditional setting where it takes place every Wednesday in Strasbourg, with the ambassadors of the 46 member states. This change was spearheaded by Monaco, which holds the six-month presidency of the Council of Europe and offered to host this meeting marking the resumption of debates after the summer break.

“Current affairs know no respite,” said Isabelle Berro-Amadeï as she opened the session. “Neither in the aggression that one of our member states continues to suffer, nor in the devastation caused by wildfires and record-breaking temperatures, nor in the pressures and hybrid attacks that concern us all. This meeting commits us to resuming our efforts with the same determination,” emphasised the Monegasque minister, who will serve as Chair of the Committee of Ministers until November.