‘On this occasion, I once again express my deepest respect and admiration for Ukraine’s defenders. With Ukraine in our hearts and minds, we are determined to continue the important mission of the Council of Europe,’ the Lithuanian Prime Minister stated during the session of the Committee of Ministers, emphasizing full-fledged support for Ukraine as the primary priority of Lithuania’s presidency.
During its tenure, Lithuania aims to ensure the functioning of the Register of Damage for Ukraine for the losses caused by Russia’s aggression, to pursue membership expansion, seek to establish a broader Compensation Mechanism for Ukraine and set up a Special International Tribunal that meets Ukraine’s expectations. Attention will also be given to strengthening support for civil society, independent media, and human rights defenders in Belarus and other countries suffering under autocratic oppression.
As the presiding country, Lithuania will ensure the continuity of the Council of Europe’s agenda, implementing the decisions of the Reykjavik Summit, enforcing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and supporting human rights and democracy. Additional focuses will include the right to a clean and healthy environment and addressing the interaction between artificial intelligence and human rights.
‘Lithuania last presided over the Committee of Ministers 20 years ago, and during this time, our country has made remarkable progress. We are a living proof that respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are not just lofty Western words but fundamental principles in building strong and prosperous nations. We look forward to your support and cooperation during Lithuania’s presidency to contribute to the protection and strengthening of these values in Europe,’ said the Prime Minister at the ceremony.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister also thanked Liechtenstein for their effective leadership during their presidency.
As part of her working visit to Strasbourg, Prime Minister Šimonytė also met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos. She signed an agreement on Lithuania’s voluntary contribution for priority activities under Council of Europe’s Action Plan, especially those related to the reconstruction of Ukraine and the strengthening of its democratic institutions.
In these meetings, Šimonytė highlighted the principled stance of the Council of Europe in the face of Russia's attempts to normalize aggression through various international formats. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the organization, which expelled Russia following its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, maintaining its role as a beacon of democratic values, according to the Prime Minister.
In her meeting with Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher, the Prime Minister emphasized that peace conditions in Ukraine cannot be dictated by the aggressor Russia, as such a peace would be neither just nor sustainable.
By assisting the defending Ukraine, we oppose the authoritarian ambition to establish the unprovoked and illegal use of force as a norm in international relations, which would endanger many countries worldwide, the Prime Minister stated.
Lithuania values the Pope’s tireless attention to suffering nations, Šimonytė noted in the meeting.
On Friday, the Lithuanian Prime Minister also signed a bilateral agreement with San Marino on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance and discussed support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia with San Marino’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari.
