Thorbjørn Jagland – Candidate for CoE Secretary General 2009

President of Parliament, HE Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, is Norway’s Candidate for the post as Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The election will take place in June 2009.

Thørbjorn Jagland.

Jagland will bring new life and inspiration to the Council of Europe, writes Rejeringen on its website.

Thorbjørn Jagland has been the President of the Storting – the Norwegian Parliament – since 2005. He is Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the Committe awarding the Nobel Peace Price every year.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre says: “I believe that if Mr Jagland is elected Secretary General, he will bring new life and inspiration to the Council of Europe. I am confident that strong support from governments and parliamentarians will further strengthen his mandate to lead and reform the Council of Europe. With his political experience and broad range of international contacts, Mr Jagland will contribute to heightening the visibility and political relevance of the organisation, and improve the cooperation between the Council of Europe, the EU and the OSCE”.

Source: Home page for Mr Jagland’s candidacy: Norway-coe.org and Regjeringen.no.