“I commend the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who are fighting not only for their country’s independence and sovereignty, but also for the fundamental values we collectively uphold at the Council of Europe,” said Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of Monaco and President of the Committee of Ministers, during her visit to Kyiv on 15 September, as part of Monaco’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
During the visit, she also reiterated the Committee of Ministers’ determination to work towards a just and lasting peace, based on respect for international law.
Discussions with the Ukrainian authorities and a tribute to the victims of the war
In Kyiv, Ms Berro-Amadeï held talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha. Together, they laid a wreath at the “Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine” on Mykhailivska Square, in tribute to the victims of the war.
Ms Berro-Amadeï also met with the Minister of Justice, Denys Maslov; the Minister for Social Policy, Family and Unity, Denys Uliutin; the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and the Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets.
Justice for Ukraine and return of Ukrainian children unlawfully transferred or deported
International justice was a central focus of the discussions, particularly the various mechanisms developed under the auspices of the Council of Europe to ensure redress for the damage caused by Russian aggression and to prosecute those responsible: the Register of Damage, of which Monaco is a founding member; the future International Claims Commission for Ukraine; and the work under way to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Particular attention was also paid to the protection of the most vulnerable populations, notably the return of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully transferred or deported. This remains a priority for the Committee of Ministers, as does supporting Ukraine in strengthening its institutions and the rule of law.
On the sidelines of these political meetings, Ms Berro-Amadeï also had the opportunity to visit Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
