Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday 29 September, Secretary General Alain Berset highlighted progress in strengthening the Council of Europe’s role on the international stage, ensuring justice for Ukraine and adapting the organisation to the new geopolitical reality.
Council of Europe’s office in New York: accountability for Ukraine on the global agenda
The Secretary General referred to the opening of the Council of Europe’s first permanent observer office to the United Nations in New York on 22 September.
“It gives us a stronger voice where decisions affecting Europe’s future are discussed,” he said.
Ukraine was at the heart of his meetings in New York and Washington last week, including discussions with members of the US Congress.
The new office will help keep accountability for Ukraine high on the global agenda.
Referring to the Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, Alain Berset stressed: “What we need now is the political will of states to turn their intentions to join the tribunal’s management committee into participation and funding.”
The office will also strengthen cooperation between the Council of Europe and other regional organisations, as part of its broader strategy to respond to the growing fragmentation of international law.
Europe’s common legal space: the cornerstone of stability and security
At the heart of the Council of Europe’s work is strengthening the common legal space and democratic security across the continent.
In this context, the New Democratic Pact for Europe aims to respond to democratic decline and renew confidence in democratic institutions.
“Every time the Council of Europe’s common legal space grows, it grows because a parliament turned a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights into its own national law,” said Secretary General Berset.
This convergence is what gives Europe’s common legal space its strength and, ultimately, contributes to stability and security. However, this legal order is facing growing pressure.
"Force is spreading at the expense of law and it weakens our own democracies too,” he underlined.
Against this backdrop of war and rupture, he stressed the importance of carrying the current reform of the Council of Europe into the emerging international order, with the aim of strengthening the organisation’s role and effectiveness in a changing Europe. This will provide the political direction in May 2027, at the next session of the Committee of Ministers.
He also highlighted the central role of the Parliamentary Assembly in bringing its own perspective to the reform. Earlier in the morning, a debate was held on how Europe’s core values can meet the challenges ahead – a question that the reform must ultimately address.
“The rupture will not slow down. Europe will not remain a continent of democracy, human rights and standing still, neither will this organisation,” he concluded.
Questions from parliamentarians
During a question-and-answer session with parliamentarians, Secretary General Berset addressed a range of issues, including the latest developments concerning the Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, the promotion of social rights, migration and human rights and the Council of Europe’s external strategy.
