Turkey handed over to Ukraine presidency of the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Turkey assumed the presidency of the Ministerial Committee for a six-month term on November 10, 2010.

Speaking at a ceremony held to hand over the presidency of the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that, during its presidency, Turkey worked to establish standards in the Council of Europe and tried to monitor such standards.

Davutoglu wished Ukraine success during its tenure as the rotating president of the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko thanked Turkey for its performance in the last six months.

We are assuming the presidency of such an organization for the first time. We will look at Turkey's example and continue to make efforts on works initiated by Turkey, Hryshchenko said.

Turkey carried a crucial flag in establishing values such as human rights and the supremacy of law. Turkey was a very successful president, Hryshchenko said.

Our priorities during the rotating presidency would be the preservation of the rights of children, human rights and the preservation of the supremacy of laws and strengthening local democracies, Hryshchenko also said.

AA