Council of Europe: Isabelle BERRO-AMADEÏ visits Ukraine

In Kyiv, Ms BERRO-AMADEÏ met with her Ukrainian counterpart, H.E. Andrii SYBIHA. Together, they laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, on Mykhailivska Square, in tribute to the victims of the war, before holding a bilateral meeting followed by a press conference.

Ms BERRO-AMADEÏ also met with the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Commissioner for Human Rights. 

International justice featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the various mechanisms developed under the auspices of the Council of Europe to provide redress for damage caused by the Russian aggression and hold those responsible to account: the Register of Damage for Ukraine, of which Monaco is a founding member; the future International Claims Commission for Ukraine; and the ongoing work to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Particular attention was also paid to protecting the most vulnerable, notably the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred, which remains a priority for the Committee of Ministers, as well as to supporting Ukraine in strengthening its institutions and the rule of law.

Alongside these political meetings, Ms BERRO-AMADEÏ also had the opportunity to visit Saint-Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the first site in Ukraine to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

During her visit, Isabelle BERRO-AMADEÏ praised "the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who are fighting not only for their country's independence and sovereignty, but also for the fundamental values that we collectively uphold within the Council of Europe." She also reaffirmed the Committee of Ministers' determination to work towards a just and lasting peace based on respect for international law.