[17/04/2008 13:00:00] Addressing the Assembly on 17 April, Bernard Kouchner, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of France, paid tribute to the work of the Council of Europe, describing the organisation as a genuine instrument of freedom and peace in Europe for the past 60 years. The progress made in the protection of human rights and the rule of law should not, however, lead to acceptance of the status quo. He also made a ''solemn and friendly'' appeal to the Russian Federation to ratify Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights.