At their 1530th meeting, on 4 June 2025, the Deputies took a series of decisions on the follow-up to the 134th Session of the Committee of Ministers (Luxembourg, 13-14 May 2025), in particular on the Council of Europe action in support of Ukraine, where they took note of a road map prepared by the Secretary General of the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine within the Council of Europe and decided to set up a Working Party on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (GT-TRIBUNAL), open also to observer States, as well as the European Union. The mandate of the Working party is to examine the draft legal instruments submitted by Ukraine, to prepare the decisions required to establish the Special Tribunal within the framework of the Council of Europe and to report back on the above matters by the Deputies’ 1534th meeting (9 July 2025). Decisions were also taken on social rights and social justice and the protection of the environment.
The Deputies adopted a third Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, marking an important step in the modernisation of judicial co-operation. The new Protocol aims to strengthen the capacity of member and partner states to respond effectively to crime, particularly in a context of rapid political, social and technological change [more information …].
In addition, the Deputies held an exchange of views with:
- Ms Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland and current Chairperson-in-office of the OSCE, on the Finnish priorities for 2025 and ongoing co-operation with the Council of Europe.
- Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission). They also took note of the Venice Commission’s annual report of activities (2024) [more information …].
- Mr David Meyer, President of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). They also took note of GRECO’s 25th general activity report (2024) [more information …].
The other items examined by the Deputies appear in the Agenda and the decisions adopted are available in the meeting file.