Council Of Europe Chief Concludes Lisbon Visit Stressing North-south Communication

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset concluded his two-day charismatic sojourn to Portugal connected October 29, reaffirming nan value of renewed knowing betwixt Europe’s North and South.

During his enactment successful Lisbon, Berset met pinch President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of nan Portuguese Assembly, and Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel. The meetings marked a measurement toward deepening practice arsenic Portugal approaches nan 50th day of its accession to nan Council of Europe successful 2026.

Strengthening practice and populist successful Europe

The sojourn centred connected nan thought of a ‘New Democratic Pact for Europe,’ a model aimed astatine enhancing antiauthoritarian information and adaptability crossed nan continent.

“It is clip to judge that nan world has changed, and caller conditions are needed to guarantee nan look of democracy,” Berset said.

He praised Portugal’s progressive diplomacy and beardown support for nan North-South Centre, an institution based successful Lisbon that fosters speech betwixt Europe and nan Global South.

Lisbon Forum and North-South Prize ceremony

Berset’s sojourn coincided pinch nan Lisbon Forum 2025, themed ‘AI and Global Governance: Rights, Representativity and Readiness.’ Over 200 world delegates (from policymakers to younker representatives) discussed nan ethical governance of artificial intelligence.

The forum concluded pinch nan take of nan Lisbon Declaration, recognising a quickly evolving scenery successful AI governance worldwide.

Berset besides attended nan North-South Prize ceremonial astatine nan Portuguese Parliament, alongside President Rebelo de Sousa. The 2025 laureates were Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN High Representative for nan Alliance of Civilizations, and an inaugural supporting exile athletes successful nan Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Council of Europe is first and foremost a bid project. Peace built connected justness and world practice – captious for nan preservation of quality nine and civilisation. This is what nan North-South Centre is each about. And that is why this prize matters. The recipients we honour coming are for dialogue, quality dignity, and for hope,” said Mr Berset.

View each news from Portugal.