Lithuania has handed over the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers to Luxembourg. At today’s meeting in Strasbourg, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis took stock of the Lithuanian Presidency before handing over the baton and giving the floor to Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, who outlined the priorities of Luxembourg’s Presidency, which will end in May 2025. One of the priorities of the six-month term is to “ensure that the Council of Europe continues to place its expertise at the disposal of Ukraine and the millions of people affected by the conflict, focusing primarily on the rejection of impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine”. The programme, however, will also focus on the rule of law and democracy through “joint standards and policies as key levers against democratic backsliding and increasing threats in Europe”. A third priority, Mr Bettel explained, is improving our living together through the promotion of “mutual respect and understanding in our diverse societies”. Another key policy area revolves around the themes of culture, sport and heritage as “vectors for promoting human rights”. The traditional ceremony during which Luxembourg’s flag will be raised in the city centre of Strasbourg will take place in the afternoon. Moreover, a tram in the Luxembourg colours will be circulating on the streets of the Alsatian capital from today.