The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, stated that almost everything is ready to launch the Special International Tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine, but the process, he said, is progressing “too slowly” due to insufficient support from states.
He stated this during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga on February 16, a correspondent for Suspilny reports.
“We signed this agreement in Strasbourg last June on the establishment of a Special Tribunal between the Council of Europe and President Zelensky, who signed it for Ukraine. And now, in nine months, we have done the necessary work, we are ready with the legal framework, with the organization, we have a leading team that is working, we have funding for the chairmanship. Now we need clear support from the states that are participating in this,” Berce said.
He emphasized that “we must be able to participate in all discussions of the Coalition of the Willing” to address heads of state and government at the highest level and make sure that partners understand the importance of implementing this project.
“Nothing happens without a strong committee of states that will be involved in this… We are doing everything we can, but without proper, stable and long-term access, it will be difficult to get this message across,” Berse noted.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stressed that the creation of a Special Tribunal, an international compensation commission, and a Register of Damages is important for the “stability of our state.”
“Last year was a breakthrough in creating this infrastructure of accountability. This year should be the year of its practical implementation. Thank you for your support within the framework of the Council of Europe's action plan for Ukraine. This interaction is a driver of reforms for the long-term support and sustainability of our state,” Sybiga noted.