Addressing the Ministers' Deputies, the Secretary General highlighted the vital importance of the Organisation's ongoing work and the importance of delivering results, saying:
"In this, the Council of Europe’s 75th anniversary year, it is hard to quantify the amount of good that this Organisation does. On so many challenges, this Organisation is central to ensuring the equality and dignity of every individual – through the three pillars of our work: human rights, democracy and the rule of law. During my mandate, I will work with you, tirelessly, and with passion and commitment to deliver a future in which every European can live in the freedom that comes with democratic security."
The Secretary General spoke about a range of specific challenges and priorities, and singled out one in particular, saying: "First among these is of course our need to support our member state, Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting for its democratic future in the face of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression. Supporting that country will remain our number one priority."
