"After 22 years Lithuania will once again preside over the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, this time in a completely different geopolitical reality, which dictates the priorities of our Presidency. Russia's brutal war is not only aimed at subjugating Ukraine and wiping out everything Ukrainian, but also at establishing aggression as an unpunished norm of international relations and a justifiable means of pursuing its goals. This is a danger to Europe and to the entire democratic, civilised world, to institutions based on rules and consensus-building, such as the Council of Europe. Our own security starts with helping Ukraine to win," said Šimonytė.
The Prime Minister noted that the CoE serves as a model for other international organisations. Russia's desire to use the various international formats to its advantage and to normalise aggression requires that the Council continues to set an example.
The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the CoE, which will take place from 17 May to 13 November, will strive to ensure the smooth functioning and development of the Register of Damage for Ukraine. The CoE’s expertise will also be crucial in establishing the Special International Tribunal in line with Ukraine’s expectations.
The meeting emphasized that the international community cannot overlook the safe return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as the well-being of Ukrainian children, both within Ukraine and in countries of asylum.
While safeguarding the achievements and values of a democratic Europe, the Lithuanian Presidency will pay close attention to the issue of ensuring comprehensive human rights. Other priorities of the Presidency will focus on the implementation of the Reykjavik Summit decisions and on strengthening the CoE as an organisation to meet the challenges of the future by implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
The meeting also discussed the situation in Belarus and the importance of supporting civil society suffering from autocratic oppression.
