The European Union has reaffirmed its support for the Council of Europe's role in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and stressed the need for accountability for violations committed during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In a statement delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council No.1568 on 11 June 2026, in response to an address by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, the EU welcomed continued cooperation between the two organisations and reiterated its commitment to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights.
The statement, published by the EEAS on 15 June 2026, was delivered by the EU delegation to the OSCE in Vienna. It highlighted that Russia's war against Ukraine continues to cause immense suffering and destruction, and that there can be no just and lasting peace without accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The EU noted the Council of Europe's Action Plan for Ukraine and its role in establishing accountability mechanisms, and recalled that the EU recently joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and became party to the International Claims Commission to ensure victims are compensated.
The EU also called for the full execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights by all OSCE participating states, and reiterated that Russia, though no longer a party to the Convention since September 2022, must still comply with rulings on violations committed prior to its withdrawal.
Cooperation between OSCE and Council of Europe
The EU welcomed the regular dialogue and active cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, noting the latest leadership meeting in May 2026 in Chisinau, which focused on making multilateral action more effective by reinforcing complementarity and avoiding duplication. The EU acknowledged the continued relevance of four identified priority areas for enhanced cooperation and recognised the potential for further collaboration where it provides added value, in full respect of the distinct mandates of both organisations.
Alignment and support
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine aligned themselves with the EU statement. The EU thanked Secretary General Berset for his leadership and wished him success in exercising his mandate.
Stakeholder impact
The statement reinforces the EU's commitment to international law and accountability mechanisms, which may increase pressure on Russia to comply with legal obligations. For EU member states and partner countries, the statement signals continued diplomatic and financial support for Ukraine's accountability efforts. The Council of Europe benefits from EU backing for its action plan and accountability bodies. For Russia, the statement reiterates its obligation to comply with pre-withdrawal ECHR rulings, though enforcement remains a challenge.