24/05/2024 Standing Committee
“The Council of Europe is celebrating its 75th anniversary. We can be proud of its principled performance when faced with an unprecedented ethical choice. It is one of the very few organisations that expelled the aggressor state right after the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. The fate of Europe is currently being decided in Ukraine. It is our fundamental obligation to support Ukraine in this fight until its victory, whatever victory takes,” Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said today in Vilnius, addressing the PACE Standing Committee in the framework of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
“Our Presidency priorities stem from a clear understanding that Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine is also an attack on our shared values. Therefore, full support to Ukraine as it defends itself, as well as ensuring the accountability of Russia and its accomplices for international crimes, are the primary focus for the Lithuanian Presidency,” he added.
“Lithuania will bolster the efforts of the Council of Europe in strengthening Ukraine's democratic institutions and support its reconstruction endeavours, including the implementation of the ‘Resilience, Recovery, and Reconstruction’ Action Plan. We will also continue to demand the safe return of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by the invaders, deported and illegally adopted in Russia with the aim of changing their national and cultural identity,” Mr Landsbergis said.
“We welcome the steps taken by the Council of Europe towards Russia’s accountability. The smooth operation of the Register of Damage for Ukraine is key, but we need to make further progress. We will advocate for the expansion of the Register’s membership, as well as consolidate efforts to establish a comprehensive compensation mechanism, supported by expertise from the Council of Europe,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised.
“The question of Russia’s accountability will not be complete until the political and military leadership of Russia and its accomplice Belarus are brought to justice for the core crime of aggression against Ukraine. For this we need the Special International Tribunal that meets the legitimate expectations of Ukrainians and the international community, and can effectively reach and try those responsible. We appreciate the Council of Europe's contribution on this matter and are pleased by the progress achieved during the recent Core Group meeting in Vilnius on May 10th, and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the Parliamentary Assembly’s work on supporting Ukraine, as well as on reaching out to the democratic forces of Belarus,” Mr Landsbergis concluded.