The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has just adopted the organisation’s budgets for the year 2010.
The Ordinary Budget amounts to € 218 million. Member states’ contributions amount to € 211 million.

2010 is a transitional year. The discussions on the budget underlined the need to have an in depth strategic reflection on the future of the Organisation, its mode of functioning and its structures. With a view to enhancing its political relevance, impact and visibility and increasing its effectiveness, the Committee of Ministers expressed its determination to implement a comprehensive reform process in the Council of Europe.

"We must be able to reform and to be more flexible and relevant. We are living in a changing world, and we must adapt to the new realities", said Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who will submit his initial ideas at the end of January 2010.

This year, the Council of Europe will continue to reinforce its most important activities and areas of competence as identified by the Action Plan of the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government. Human Rights, the Rule of Law, Democracy and Good Governance, security of citizens and the building of a more humane and inclusive Europe will receive a new impetus through concerted action.