I am honoured to be with you today, two years after the CoE started its relentless and remarkable work on accountability with the setting-up of the Register of Damage for Ukraine.

Together with the CoE, the EU has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure there will be no impunity for the crimes suffered by Ukraine.

The EU stands ready to support the CoE in finalising the necessary procedures for the swift establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression.

The EU will also continue to support the work of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine via Eurojust, in order to ensure the smooth transfer of information and evidence to the Tribunal.

We encourage all States and international organisations to contribute to its effective functioning, including by acceding to the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee and concluding the necessary cooperation agreements with the Special Tribunal.

The EU also shares Ukraine’s sense of urgency to establish the Claims Commission for Ukraine and is committed to engaging constructively in the ongoing formal negotiations.

Moreover, we are ready to launch the reflections on the modalities for the establishment and financing of the Compensation Fund, in coordination with partners.

Progress has been made on other key priorities for cooperation with the CoE, including the EU’s accession to the ECHR. We are currently actively preparing to refer the revised draft accession agreement to the Court of Justice of the EU for opinion with a view to adopting the accession instruments.

We welcome the opening for signature of the Convention on the Protection of Lawyers.

I would also like to welcome the adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law. The EU is convinced that it will significantly contribute to the fight against environmental crime at the international level. 

We are currently preparing  for the signing of both conventions. 

In this year of unprecedented geopolitical transformations, the EU remains committed to further developing its strategic partnership with the CoE. 

Now more than ever, it is important to join forces to reverse democratic backsliding, strengthen democracy, and promote the rule of law in Europe. This objective is at the heart of our partnership.

Thank you.