MOSCOW, December 21 (RIA Novosti) - Thorbjorn Jagland will pay his first visit to Russia as the Council of Europe secretary general on Monday.
During the three-day visit, Jagland would discuss the Strasbourg Court reform and the abolishment of death penalty in Russia with the country's leadership.
"I look forward to a close and constructive dialogue during my visit," he was quoted as saying on the Council of Europe's website ahead of the visit. "Russia is a major player in the European political architecture and plays a decisive role in maintaining peace and stability on the European continent."
He added that Russia's position was "of crucial importance to the future of the Council of Europe as an Organization, and to the progress and renewal of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe."
He is expected to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and speakers of the two chambers of the Russian parliament, Boris Gryzlov and Sergei Mironov.
The agenda of the visit will also include discussions with other members of Russia's government. He is also expected to meet with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill as well as prominent civil society members and human rights defenders.
Jagland, a former Norwegian premier, was elected new secretary general of the Council of Europe in late September. The former chair of Norway's Nobel Committee replaced Britain's Terry Davis as head of the 47-nation human rights watchdog.
