Alain Berset, former Swiss cabinet minister, assumed the role of Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) on 18 September, immediately emphasizing support for Ukraine during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war as his administration’s top priority.
Berset, who served as a Member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2012 to 2023, expressed his commitment to working tirelessly with member states to “deliver a future in which every European can live in the freedom that comes with democratic security.”
In his address to the Ministers’ Deputies, Berset highlighted the Council’s ongoing work in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The Ministers’ Deputies are permanent representatives of the member States of the Council of Europe.
“Ukraine is fighting for its democratic future in the face of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression. Supporting that country will remain our number one priority,” Berset stated, according to a Council of Europe press release.
On the same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a telephone conversation with Berset, becoming the first Foreign Minister to congratulate him on his new position.
Sybiha reported discussing “furthering the excellent cooperation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe,” as stated by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister says they discussed advancing Ukraine’s Peace Formula and ensuring “full and comprehensive accountability for Russian crimes, including the crime of aggression against Ukraine.” Sybiha also extended an invitation for Berset to visit Ukraine.
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