The European Union has voiced strong support for Monaco's presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, particularly its emphasis on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as accountability for violations of international law in Ukraine. The statement was delivered by the EU Delegation to the OSCE at Permanent Council No. 1572 in Vienna on 9 July 2026, in response to an address by Monaco's Foreign Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadeï.
The EU welcomed Monaco's commitment to Ukraine and the focus on promoting accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law committed during Russia's war of aggression. The EU noted its own recent steps: joining the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and becoming party to the International Claims Commission for Ukraine to ensure victim compensation. The EU also highlighted its participation alongside the Council of Europe in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
The statement called for full execution of European Court of Human Rights judgments by all OSCE participating States, reiterating that Russia, though no longer a party to the European Convention on Human Rights since September 2022, must still comply with rulings on violations committed before its withdrawal.
The EU welcomed Monaco's support for the Council of Europe's New Democratic Pact for Europe and efforts to strengthen democratic resilience. It also endorsed regular dialogue and cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, noting that both organisations share a common purpose in promoting stability and security based on democratic norms and principles. The EU recognised the continued relevance of four priority areas for enhanced cooperation between the two bodies.
The statement concluded by thanking Moldova as outgoing Chair and looking forward to Montenegro as the next Chair of the Committee of Ministers. Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine aligned themselves with the EU statement.