In her final address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić on Monday 24 June looked back on the upheavals of her five-year term of office in Strasbourg. She said she was certain that her successor would have to face “new challenges”, in a Europe where we are witnessing a “democratic retreat”.
Ms Pejčinović Burić recalled the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and insisted on the “united front” shown by the Council of Europe member states when Russia’s war against Ukraine breaks out in 2022.
Russia was then excluded and the Council of Europe resolutely committed itself to supporting Ukraine (see EUROPE 12912/4).
At the Reykjavik Summit (see EUROPE 13184/2) in May 2023, it was decided to create a “Register of Damage”, which is now operational, as a prerequisite for a compensation process and the establishment of a tribunal for the crime of aggression.
At the same time, the Council of Europe has opened for signature the first Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, and is working on new tools to protect the environment.
Migration and the defence of women and minorities remained on the Council of Europe’s agenda despite, said Marija Pejčinović Burić, “the rise of frightening anti-rights groups”.
Her successor will be elected on Tuesday 25 June.
Three candidates are in the running: the Swiss Socialist Alain Berset, the Estonian Social Democrat Indrek Saar and the Belgian Liberal Didier Reynders, outgoing European Commissioner for Justice.
Everyone has a chance. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)