EU Statement in response to the Address by the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, OSCE Permanent Council No. 1572

The European Union warmly welcomes to the Permanent Council H.E. Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco.

We strongly support the priorities of Monaco’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, in particular its emphasis on the Council of Europe’s three essential and interlinked pillars: human rights, democracy and the rule of law. 

We also welcome Monaco’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine and appreciate the focus on promoting accountability for all violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. As Russia increases its relentless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, causing immense suffering, rising casualties and widespread destruction, the need for accountability remains urgent. 

The EU has been and will remain at the forefront of ensuring accountability, a crucial element of any future just and lasting peace. In this regard, the Council of Europe continues to be a key partner of the European Union, through its Action Plan for Ukraine and the establishment of crucial accountability mechanisms. Recently, the EU joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and it became party to the International Claims Commission for Ukraine to ensure victims can get compensated. We will continue to support the further operationalisation of these bodies. We therefore welcome Monaco’s commitment to advancing these important initiatives during its Presidency.

The participation of both the EU and the Council of Europe in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children also reflects our close partnership.

We call for the full execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights by all OSCE participating States. In this context, we reiterate that, Russia, though no longer a party to the Convention since September 2022, must still comply with rulings on violations committed prior to its withdrawal. 

The EU welcomes the Monegasque Presidency’s support for the Council of Europe’s work on the New Democratic Pact for Europe and on strengthening democratic resilience. We further welcome its focus on ensuring that the Council of Europe’s work is firmly geared towards practical responses to major challenges with direct and far-reaching effects on human rights, the rule of law and democracy. 

We also welcome and reiterate our support for the regular dialogue and active co-operation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe. At a time when democratic institutions, human rights and fundamental freedoms are under growing pressure across our region, the two organisations share a common purpose in promoting stability and security on the basis of these norms and principles. We recognise the continued relevance of the four priority areas identified for enhanced co-operation and see further scope for effective collaboration between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, where it brings added value and in full respect of their distinct mandates.

In conclusion, the EU looks forward to continuing the close cooperation with OSCE and the Council of Europe, and we wish you, Minister Berro-Amadeï, every success during Monaco’s Presidency. The EU also takes this opportunity to thank Republic of Moldova as outgoing Chair and looks forward to Montenegro as the next Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.