No lasting peace for Ukraine is possible without accountability and strong democratic institutions, and the Council of Europe works tirelessly with its member states and on the ground in Ukraine to deliver on both. It also acts as a normative force in the Western Balkans region, supporting reforms on its EU path.
These were the key messages of Secretary General Alain Berset at the panel “Peace without illusions: Ukraine and Europe’s security reckoning” at the 21st Bled Strategic Forum and during his meetings with European counterparts on its margins.
Ukraine: ceasefires end wars, law keeps the peace
“The peace that follows this war will depend on the justice we build now. This principle must be at the heart of any peace negotiations and agreements," Berset argued. "Ceasefires end wars, law keeps the peace,” he stressed.
He reminded the public of the Council of Europe’s tools and mechanisms to ensure justice and accountability – the European Court of Human Rights holding Russia accountable for human rights violations through the European Convention on Human Rights, the Register of Damage for Ukraine – the legal memory of the war, the future International Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
For durable peace democracy cannot be left for later
The overarching theme of this year’s Bled Strategic Forum is “The power to shape the future”. The Secretary General has argued that this power depends on whether states recognise the vital role of democracy in ensuring that a settlement becomes the foundation for lasting security in Ukraine, rather than simply a pause before another conflict.
“Europe’s next order will need military security, energy security and economic security – and above all, it will need democratic security – institutions that people trust, laws that protect everyone equally, and the ability to withstand cyberattacks, disinformation and foreign interference”, he noted. “Without democratic security, none of the others hold.”
Democratic security for Ukraine central to the work on the ground
Democratic security is the theme of the new Action plan for Ukraine 2027–30 that the Council of Europe will launch next year. “This plan is designed to help make the peace work”, Alain Berset stressed. Accountability for the crimes committed, the fight against corruption, standards that pave the way to the European Union, elections people believe in, cybercrime and AI challenges, protection for minorities, support to veterans, women and children – these are among the priorities of the new action plan currently being finalised.
The Council of Europe’s commitment to the Western Balkans
Alain Berset’s meetings with high-level Slovenian officials focussed on the Council of Europe’s role in defending the commonly shared values and in strengthening dialogue and stability across the Western Balkans, also in view of the region’s EU integration, – goals the Council of Europe shares with Slovenia. The organisation continues to act as a key normative force in the region, with its conventions, monitoring bodies and advisory institutions supporting reform processes, the Secretary General noted.
Alain Berset welcomed the continued involvement of Slovenia in the work of the Council of Europe, including in the initiatives of accountability and justice for Ukraine. He expressed appreciation for Slovenia’s support expressed at the highest level for the reform within the Council of Europe aimed at ensuring that the organisation can deliver at its best and be fit for purpose in the face of new challenges.
