Ministers,
Excellencies,
Secretary General,
Participants,


Perhaps the ugliest aspect of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is the willful policy of destroying the lives of children.

While we all hope that just peace will come to Ukraine and freedom will be secured, we must recognise that whatever happens in other matters, there will not be any justice unless the issue of Ukrainian children is addressed and resolved.

Millions of children have been forced to flee Ukraine. At least 20,000 more have been unlawfully deported to Russia, Belarus or to temporarily occupied areas, brutally separated from their families, many forced to undergo re-education programs, illegal adoptions, and subjected to other grave human rights violations.

And the actual number of deported children is far higher.

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How the international community - including us in the Council of Europe, as an organisation and as individual member states - respond to this situation is a test of our political will.

The people in this room have the power to make things happen.
It is incumbent on us to use that power.

We are an organisation, but we are also a venue. Both aspects of the Council of Europe can be extremely valuable.

We can decide to do things as an organisation - but we can also use a venue like this to figure out individually how we can contribute and find partners among this group who are willing to work together.

It is my honor to have been appointed to this position by the Secretary General. He is an action-oriented leader, which is exactly what our times call for. I have the desire to use my appointment as Special Envoy to not only raise awareness, but to try to establish connections that support the causes we are serving and fighting for.

In this venue we have an opportunity for genuine dialogue - we can help make minds meet. We should all have the goal of making it count.

The format is not the most important thing - the most important thing is that meaningful things get done - and much can be done with the meeting of minds and with a shared purpose.

Therefore, I would like to let each, and every one of you know that I am personally at your disposal - you can all have direct contact with me. I welcome any opportunity to be a connector, a facilitator or a participant in any effort that aligns with our goal of stepping up and delivering results in these momentous times.

Talking is good - but doing is what makes a difference. Let us agree to use every opportunity - including meetings like this one - to help make good things happen and to make a difference for the children of Ukraine who are suffering a terrible injustice. That’s our role and obligation.