5 EU statements delivered in October 2026
On 7 October, the EU delivered a statement at the 1571st Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe. Ahead of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the worldwide abolition of capital punishment, stressing that it “has no place in the twenty-first century.” The EU also called on states that retain the death penalty to establish a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition, and on those taking steps towards reintroduction, to refrain from it.
On 14 October, the EU delivered a statement at the 1572nd Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe. It condemned Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure and called on Russia to agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. The EU also reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability for war crimes, welcoming progress towards establishing an International Claims Commission and a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Reaffirming its continued support for Ukraine, the EU stressed that recent threats against the international community in Kyiv would not deter its presence, stating that “the EU is bound to stay in Ukraine and with Ukraine.”
On 21 October, the EU delivered a statement at the 1573rd Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe. Referring to the latest Venice Commission Opinions on Legislative Developments in Georgia, the EU addressed the legislative package of 16 October 2025 on political associations and the amendments of 4 March 2026 on foreign funding and political activities, which impose restrictions on political pluralism and fundamental freedoms. It called on the Georgian authorities to repeal the legislation and resume meaningful dialogue with civil society, including opposition parties, and proposed renewed examination of the situation in Georgia by the Committee of Ministers.
On 30 October, the EU delivered two statements at the 1574th Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies at the Council of Europe:
In its first statement, marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression and media freedom and recalled the indispensable role of free, independent and pluralistic media. The EU stressed the need for effective investigations and accountability for attacks against journalists, while welcoming efforts to strengthen democratic resilience against foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
In its second statement, the EU condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure, highlighting the need to strengthen the country’s air defence and energy system ahead of winter. It also reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine and called for accountability for war crimes and the safe return of unlawfully deported and transferred Ukrainian children and other civilians.