On 14 September 2011 Mr. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe met with the participants of the Youth Forum on youth access to social rights. The Forum will last till 18 September.

In his address to over 60 young participants, Mr. Gryshchenko underlined that the Ukrainian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe focused on integration and participation of young people in political and social life.

The Minister noted that the activities of the Council of Europe in the area of youth policy was aimed at ensuring equal opportunities in education, employment and social integration for all young people.

In the context of the 50th anniversary of the European Social Charter in autumn this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe highlighted the importance of the Youth Forum. He underlined that this meeting served its participants as a platform to exchange experience and ideas to enhance access to social rights in Europe.

As a Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko noted that the recommendations suggested by the participants of the Youth Forum would make a contribution to the development of youth policy of the Council of Europe.

The participants of the Youth Forum informed the Minister about their views and opinions on challenges faced by youth and on the role of the Council of Europe to meet them. The young people also shared their positive experience of participating in the relevant projects of the Organization.