Thank you, Madam Chair.
Secretary General, welcome to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your presentation and for your continued commitment to the Council of Europe, which remains central to the UK’s human rights and foreign policy agenda.
The UK values the longstanding relationship between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, rooted in our shared commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. These principles underpin our work in Vienna and Strasbourg and are essential not only to individual freedoms but also to economic growth and livelihoods.
We meet at a time of serious challenge to European security, with Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine ongoing. We urge all OSCE participating States to uphold our shared commitments. Ukraine’s security is our security. We must not allow aggression to prevail, or risk undermining the international rules-based order.
The UK strongly supports Ukraine’s accountability efforts. We are proud to Chair the Conference of Participants for the Register of Damage, which now includes over 65,000 claims. We commend the Council of Europe’s leadership on the claims commission and welcome the Bilateral Agreement with Ukraine to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression — an initiative the UK has long supported.
The Council of Europe and the OSCE share common ground in addressing organised crime, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and promoting democratic values such as media freedom, gender rights, and free elections. As both organisations face shared challenges — including democratic backsliding and a complex security environment — it is vital to recognise their distinct strengths and coordinate efforts effectively. We would welcome your thoughts on improving coordination and minimising duplication, especially in a time of constrained resources.
The UK welcomes your initiative to create a New Democratic Pact for Europe. Uniting stakeholders to address democratic backsliding, disinformation, impunity, and authoritarianism is essential to tackling today’s challenges.
Secretary General, the UK remains a steadfast supporter of both the Council of Europe and the OSCE. We wish you and your team continued success.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
