The Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chair of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, Luigi Di Maio, the President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following statement:
“We are extremely concerned by the high tensions surrounding Ukraine.
We are dismayed by the prospect of a major conflict on our continent between our member States.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
We call on concerned member States to redouble their efforts to avoid further aggravation of the situation and possible armed conflict.
We call for the immediate de-escalation of rhetorics and actions and the pursuit of dialogue.
This dialogue must be based on and respect the principles enshrined in the Statute of the Council of Europe, and in the European Convention on Human Rights which all Council of Europe member States are obliged to respect, uphold and implement.”
