Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre attended the fourth Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik on Tuesday 16 May. During the meeting, Støre and 45 other European leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine. They also discussed concrete measures to ensure that Russia is held accountable for war crimes in Ukraine.
Members are all European countries except Russia, Belarus, Kosovo and the Vatican City State. The Council of Europe suspended Russia the day after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. V As a result, Russia was formally excluded from the Council of Europe on March 16 2022 r.
This summit is the first of its kind in nearly 20 years and takes place in the context of the war in Europe. In several European countries, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are under threat of erosion. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and other heads of state and government discussed how member states of the Council of Europe can meet these challenges.
– Our common values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights are under pressure in today's Europe. We cannot be passive in the face of this development. We must continue to fight to preserve our democratic values, also in changing circumstances and in the face of new challenges, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Also read: Regulatory changes regarding self-generated electricity
Register of records of damages and war crimes in Ukraine
Together with the other heads of state and government, Prime Minister Støre discussed concrete steps to ensure that Russia is held accountable for war crimes in Ukraine. They agreed to set up a register to record war damage. The register is the first step towards a system of compensation for damages and war crimes.
“Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year, we have experienced war and war crimes, destruction and murder on a scale not seen in Europe since the Second World War. It is necessary to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine. Thanks to this register, we have taken an important step forward - says the Prime Minister.
The Council of Europe has launched a separate action plan for Ukraine. This will support Ukraine's road to EU membership, i.a. through judicial reforms, the protection of minority rights and a strengthened fight against corruption and money laundering. Norway supports this action plan.
- Russia's war with Ukraine is today the most serious threat to European security. Russia's victory will mean the end of Europe, in which we do not agree to changing borders by force. We must use all legal means to prevent this, says Støre.
The Council of Europe was established in the aftermath of the Second World War and aims to promote democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Europe. During the meeting in Iceland, Member States reaffirmed their commitment to these common values.
O Council of Europe
The aim of the Council of Europe is to promote democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Europe. The European Convention on Human Rights and the Strasbourg Court are the most important instruments of the Council of Europe in this work. Norway was one of the ten countries that founded the Council of Europe on 5 May 1949 to promote dialogue and peace. Europe had just emerged from World War II and the need for international cooperation was obvious. Today, the Council of Europe is the most important European forum for human rights, democracy and the rule of law and plays an important role in ensuring compliance with these international obligations.
Like us on Facebook and share our post with others. Thank you.
Source: regjeringen
