In the margins of the European Youth Event 2025, the EU Delegation organised a dynamic and engaging afternoon for Young European Ambassadors from the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans, as well as young representatives from the European External Action Service. This event was a collaborative effort with DG-ENEST and the Council of Europe, designed to encourage dialogue between these young leaders and institutional representatives from both the EU and the Council of Europe.

The event began with an informative visit to the European Court of Human Rights. Here, participants gained valuable insights into the Court's crucial role from Ms Ana Medarska-Lazova, a lawyer at the Court's Registry. Following this enlightening session, the attendees reconvened at the EU Delegation, where Ms Vesna Kos, EU Ambassador to the Council of Europe, moderated engaging panel discussions. Esteemed speakers from the Council of Europe and the European External Action Service led discussions on essential topics, including human rights, democracy, the rule of law, EU enlargement, media freedom, and strategies against foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). Mr Claus Neukirch, Director of Programme Co-ordination of the Council of Europe, Mr Cristian Urse, Deputy to the Director of Political Affairs and External Relations at the Council of Europe, Ms Katarzyna Sumislawska, Policy Officer and Lead on awareness-raising on FIMI and disinformation in the Strategic Communication Division of the European External Action Service, Ms Elena Brodeala, member of the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI)’s Secretariat at the Council of Europe, and Mr Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department at the Council of Europe, exchanged expertise and ideas with the Young European Ambassadors and the European External Action Service representatives. Through interactive formats, the participants were encouraged to take the floor and share their perspectives and experiences about the topics. These discussions underscored the significance of incorporating young voices in shaping Europe's future. 

Continuing this momentum, EU Ambassador Vesna Kos participated in the EEAS-led Youth Policy Dialogue workshop entitled “#OurVoiceOurFuture, Join the EU’s Foreign Policy Adventure” at the EYE2025. This session followed the Youth Policy Dialogue initiated on 6 March with HR/VP Kaja Kallas. Part of the #OurVoiceOurFuture series, the workshop brought together young leaders and key speakers to explore EU foreign policy and the pivotal role of youth engagement. The event was extremely well attended and illustrated that young people are interested in EU foreign policy and youth engagement initiatives.

The workshop featured a panel session with speakers Francisco Javier Vera Manzanares, a climate activist and human rights defender; Eva Kotnik, member of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth for the 2024-2025 term, representing Rural Youth Europe.; and Nicholas Alexander Sablan from the European Youth Education Center, who was part of the first Youth Policy Dialogue with HR/VP Kaja Kallas, and Vesna Kos, EU Ambassador to the Council of Europe. The session was facilitated by Giulia Tariello, European Union Youth Delegate to the United Nations and co-facilitator of the first Youth Policy Dialogue with HR/VP Kaja Kallas. A "Mini Policy Dialogue Simulation" highlighted the EU's openness to integrating youth perspectives.

In her intervention in the panel discussion, Ambassador Kos emphasised the critical role of multilateralism and youth involvement in international affairs, reaffirming the EU's commitment to democracy and human rights as a defense against autocracy. She elaborated on the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the key role of the HR/VP, highlighting the significance of multilateral cooperation with organisations like the Council of Europe, particularly in crises such as the war of aggression against Ukraine.