ATHENS – Greece has nominated the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) for the Nobel peace prize 2020, following a decision by the government, the foreign ministry announced on Friday.

The specific initiative was the result of a series of coordinated actions by the Greek government, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the ministry said.

Alternate Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis sent a letter presenting Greece’s nomination to the Nobel Prize Committee on Friday.

In an announcement, the foreign ministry noted Greece’s deep appreciation for the work of the court, describing it as “a very important institution for the defence of human rights and ensuring international justice,” while adding that Greece acknowledges its broader contribution to consolidating and promoting world peace.

Greece’s assumption of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) on May 15 (and until November 2020), whose central focus will be the celebrations for the 70-year anniversary since the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights that is monitored by the ECHR, constitutes an additional reason for the specific nomination, the ministry announcement said.