Discussions centred on the Council of Europe’s support for Ukraine and on holding the Russian Federation to account for its acts of war. The session also addressed combating disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). Other topics included the New Democratic Pact for Europe in times of rupture as well as the Council of Europe Strategy on External Action.

Together with 36 other states plus the EU, Poland has signed the Resolution establishing the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. 

In his remarks, MFA Undersecretary of State Artur Harazim emphasised that at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, the Council of Europe’s role matters more than ever before. Human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are being undermined or attacked. Russian aggression against Ukraine also represents an assault on the values that underpin the Council of Europe. 

The deputy minister stressed that Polska strongly supports the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and that there can be no place for fatigue with Russia’s brutal aggression. Poland also wants to see an end to the war and a lasting peace but, most of all, it is looking forward to the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine, devastated by Russia, with respect for human rights and bolstering the resilience of democratic institutions.

The deputy minister expressed Poland’s support for a vision set out in the New Democratic Pact for Europe: joint initiatives to redefine and strengthen democracy.

Deputy Minister Harazim also took part in a roundtable discussion titled “Current Migration Challenges.”