Council of Europe

Good to speak with PM @magyarpeterMP at #EPC. I welcome the announcement that Hungary intends to ratify the Istanbul Convention, an important step towards stronger protection for women and girls against violence. We also discussed Ukraine and the Council of Europe’s role in supporting democratic institutions and the rule of law, including through the Venice Commission.

Democratic security must be central to the peace we seek and the Europe we defend. At the #EPC roundtable on Securing and Defending a Democratic Europe, I stressed the importance of countering foreign information manipulation and securing a just peace for Ukraine, grounded in accountability. But Europe’s security also depends on the confidence of its citizens in their own future.

Europe must rearm without disarming democracy, without weakening our own values. Governments change. Weapons stay. Good to be in Dublin for the European Political Community #EPC summit. With 46 member states, decades of experience and a common legal space, the Council of Europe has a vital role in shaping Europe’s security.

Deeply saddened by the tragic highway accident in Bulgaria. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Today, the Council of Europe mourns alongside the people of Bulgaria. @Ilotova @RumenRadevPM @MFABulgaria

My warm thanks to Monaco and @IBerroAmadei for a Presidency marked by a strong commitment to Ukraine, progress in tackling financial crime and ministerial discussions on integrity in sport and the protection of children. Monaco also placed the abolition of the death penalty, women’s rights and multilateral cooperation high on the agenda. I now welcome Montenegro and @ErvinIbrahimov1 as they take over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Their priorities, democracy in the digital age, equality and fundamental rights, and democratic security through the rule of law, speak directly to the issues facing Europe today. The Ministerial Session in Montenegro next May will be a key milestone for the reform of the Council of Europe and the New Democratic Pact for Europe. I wish Montenegro every success in its Presidency!

Deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Kraków. My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. My thoughts are also with the injured and all those affected by this tragedy. In this difficult moment, we stand in solidarity with the people of Poland.

Important steps for sport tonight in Monaco. I welcome the signatures of the Macolin Convention against match-fixing by Monaco and Andorra, and of the Saint-Denis Convention on safety and security at sporting events by Andorra and San Marino.

I strongly condemn the appalling Russian attack on Dnipro railway station, killing at least 14 people on a platform where passenger trains were standing. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those injured. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. Those responsible must be held to account. There can be no impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine. And no peace without accountability. @ZelenskyyUa @andrii_sybiha @UKRinCoE

Student protests, elections, the Council of Europe reform: important questions raised at the @CoECongress session yesterday. How can we respond to growing distrust in democratic institutions? What role can local and regional authorities play? And how can the Council of Europe adapt to the challenges of today? Watch my full statement and Q&A here: youtu.be/agq0sTD5Svo