Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Secrétaire général, Monsieur le Secrétaire général adjoint, Mesdames et Messieurs les ambassadeurs, chers collègues, chers amis,

Lorsque j’ai rejoint le Conseil de l’Europe en novembre 1993, notre Organisation comptait 31 États membres. La série des traités en était au numéro 153. Aujourd’hui, nous sommes 46 États membres, et la série des traités compte désormais 231 traités.

Ces chiffres en disent long – non seulement sur la croissance institutionnelle, mais aussi sur la foi inébranlable de l’Europe dans le droit.

En tant que jurisconsulte, ma devise était toujours : ‘un bon conseiller juridique doit trouver, s’il peut, une solution pour chaque difficulté et non pas une difficulté pour chaque solution.’^[1]

Over these decades, I had the privilege to work with wonderful people on many defining issues. Among the most demanding — and most important — ones have been the reform of the European Convention on Human Rights and the accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Those discussions were never simply technical exercises; they were processes complex in law, sensitive in politics, but essential in principle. They reflected a deeper question: how to preserve the authority, coherence and effectiveness of the Convention system in a changing Europe, while remaining faithful to its fundamental values.

I also want to mention the CAHDI, this unique network of legal advisers. I am convinced that in an increasingly fragmented world, personal contacts often achieve more than formal diplomatic exchanges. And through CAHDI, the Council has built bridges not only within Europe, but also far beyond it.

Today, international law is under pressure. We see the return of great-power rivalry, even war, and institutions increasingly paralysed.

Ukraine has brought these issues into sharp focus. Russia’s war of aggression is not simply another violation of international law; it is a direct challenge to the foundations of the international legal order.

The response of this Organisation has been exemplary. We successfully demonstrated that when universal mechanisms fail, democratic states can still defend fundamental norms through collective action grounded in law.

I am proud that me and my DLAPIL team could accompany this action by providing sound and timely legal advice.

Throughout my career, I have remained convinced of one thing: law cannot survive as theatre. It only survives if institutions and professionals are willing to make it real — consistently, credibly, and without double standards.

It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life to serve this Organisation, its values, and all of you.

Vielen Dank für Ihr Vertrauen!