State Secretary Gabrič attends the 134th meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Luxembourg

SLOVENIA, May 14 - The Committee of Ministers reiterated its strong condemnation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. The Committee also underlined the Council of Europe's firm support for Ukraine and its people, as well as for the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law. The ministers agreed that the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine within the Council of Europe is a priority for the Committee of Ministers and the Council of Europe as a whole.

Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, presented his first annual report "Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe", which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights.

At the meeting, several decisions on the implementation of the Reykjavik Declaration were adopted, including on cooperation between the Council of Europe and the EU and on the Council of Europe's work on human rights and the environment. The Committee of Ministers also stressed that the EU's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights will enhance the coherence of human rights protection in Europe. The Committee also adopted the Council of Europe Strategy on the Environment inviting the Committee of Ministers' Deputies to consider the establishment of an intergovernmental multidisciplinary committee on the environment, and adopted the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law.

State Secretary Gabrič thanked Secretary General Berset for setting out the organisation's key priorities. She stressed the crucial role of education in tackling democratic decline and informed that Ljubljana will host the final conference of the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education in November 2025. On the topic of accountability, she stressed that Slovenia welcomes the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine and the ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on the establishment of a Claims Commission for Ukraine. As for the next step, Slovenia is satisfied with the finalisation of the draft legal instruments necessary for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. She thanked Dr Marko Bošnjak, President of the European Court of Human Rights, for its central role in respecting human rights in Europe. Finally, she underlined the commitment to continue efforts towards a legally binding instrument on the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment, which is a necessary and indispensable step for the well-being of present and future generations.

The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer was opened for signature on the sidelines of the meeting. This is the first international treaty in this area, addressing the rising reports of obstruction within the legal profession.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the State Secretary met Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict. They discussed cooperation within the United Nations Security Council and other topical issues of mutual interest.