At the start of their first meeting in 2026, on 14 January, the Deputies observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Russian full-scale aggression against Ukraine and also the victims of the terrible fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

The Deputies then held their regular exchange with Secretary General Alain Berset, which focussed – among other issues – on the dire situation in Ukraine and the need for a fair and lasting peace; concerns about recent developments in Venezuela as part of the wider context of the continual weakening of the rules-based international order; regrets about the United States’ withdrawal from the Venice Commission; and uncertainty caused by the United States’ interest in Greenland [more information …].

The other items examined by the Deputies appear in the Agenda and the decisions adopted are available in the meeting file.