Meeting in Council on Tuesday 9 December, the European justice ministers took stock of progress in the fight against impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine since the start of Russian aggression in February 2022.
The delegations exchanged views on cooperation between the national authorities and the future Special Tribunal, the agreement for the creation of which was signed on 25 June by Ukraine and the Council of Europe (see EUROPE 13668/9).
Work in progress includes the preparation of cooperation agreements with participating states.
At a press conference, the European Commissioner for Justice, Michael McGrath, confirmed that the EU will remain committed to ensuring full accountability for the crimes committed in Ukraine, and in particular considered it urgent to rapidly establish the Special Tribunal, specifying that the Commission is preparing a proposal as well as the signature of the enlarged partial agreement in order to become a founding member, and encouraging the Member States to do likewise.
He also highlighted the major role that the future International Claims Commission will play in organising reparations for victims. The agreement establishing it is due to be signed on 16 December. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)