The second Steering Committee meeting of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 (hereinafter – the Action Plan) gathered more than 100 representatives of Ukrainian authorities, non-governmental organisations, and national partners involved in the programme of activities, as well as representatives from the Council of Europe.

In his opening speech, Valentyn Skuratovsky, Director of the International Organisations' Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, emphasised: “the sense of security forgotten by the vast majority of the population, the systematic destruction of infrastructure and unprecedented displacement of the population, gross violations of human rights by the Russian aggressor, the documentation of committed crimes... All this is far from a complete list of the problems that were caused, which the Action Plan should respond to within the competence of the Council of Europe. The Action Plan is a living tool, it must be relevant and effective. We highly value the support and expertise of the Council of Europe in protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The actions and projects of the Action Plan are a significant support for the processes aimed at the reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine, increasing the stability of state institutions, protecting the fundamental rights of citizens, and gaining full membership in the EU.”

Claus Neukirch, Director of Programme Co-ordination, Council of Europe, reaffirmed the partnership between the Council of Europe and Ukrainian beneficiaries to advance the further implementation of the Action Plan. “The Council of Europe remains committed to helping Ukraine succeed in building a strong country. The work the national authorities are doing, particularly in implementing the necessary reforms, is absolutely crucial in these extremely difficult times of full-scale war.  It is crucial for the recovery of the country and its EU path, to strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law, protect the human rights. The aim of the current Action Plan of the Council of Europe is to provide support for these activities.”

Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, thanked the national partners and representatives of civil society for their commitment to working together and active participation in the implementation of measures and activities envisaged by the projects within the framework of the Action Plan. Reviewing the first year of its implementation, Mr Janczak highlighted: "During the first year of implementing the Action Plan, more than 200 trainings, webinars, round-tables, conferences, study visits, and other events were held. Each of these events was based on specific needs and requests from national partners and specific response from Council of Europe Office projects in the country. Such high activity is unprecedented and is designed to respond to the unprecedented challenges Ukraine faces during the ongoing Russian aggression".

According to the needs and priorities of Ukrainian partners, the Action Plan covers all key areas of co-operation and support within the targeted projects, implemented through the activities of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.

The Action Plan covers a wide range of critical issues relevant to the development of the Ukrainian state and the protection of the human rights of Ukrainians during the war and post-war period.

The successful implementation of the action plan in the past year, was confirmed by the participants to the meeting who highlighted the importance to continue building-up on the results presented.

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