As delivered by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, dear Emine, ,

Ministers,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Council of Europe promotes democratic security among its member states –

Including every country bordering the Black Sea –

Apart from Russia –

Which we excluded from our Organisation last year –

We were the first, and so far only international organisation to do so –

Because of its illegal aggression against Ukraine.

Together, our 46 member states set European standards in human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

This ensures the greater unity that, in turn, underpins peace on our continent.

But that peace requires member states to meet the commitments that they have undertaken –

Which, in turn, requires political will.

This requires leadership and commitment.

Russia did not lose that will all-of-a-sudden, last February –

But piece by piece, over years.

One of the lessons learned is that we needed to take action earlier.

The occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol was one terrible moment in that timeline.

The aggression that began last year is the bloodiest.

We cannot force Russia to meet the standards of modern civilisation to which its Black Sea neighbours are committed –

But we are here to help those neighbours –

So that they can promote democratic security in their own countries, and between one another.

Both are crucial and important.

This includes our specific, resolute support for Ukraine.

Our joint Action Plan for Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction –

Our efforts to help meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees seeking safety in our other member states –

And our determination that the ongoing violence ends – and this is what is important – in a just peace –

With accountability at its heart.

That is why we are supporting the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s investigations into serious human rights violations since early March 2022 –

And why I have proposed – to move from words to action – that the Council of Europe should set up a Register of Damage –

To support victims and record the losses that continue to mount, we need a victims-centered approach.

I hope that member states will agree to it at our Fourth Summit of Heads and State and Governments next month –

And pave the way to a compensation mechanism.

My annual reports on the human rights situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol –

And the terrible reality of what is happening in other parts of Ukraine make one thing very clear:

The best, most secure future for the Black Sea region is based on democratic principles and the rule of international law.

We will do everything that we can to help achieve that.