During the 134th Committee of Ministers meeting, Ministers and representatives adopted multiple decisions, including comprehensive decisions on the support to Ukraine, follow up to the Reykjavík Declaration and EU-Council of Europe cooperation. On the EU-Council of Europe cooperation, the Committee of Ministers underscored that the value-based strategic partnership continues to intensify and deepen through cooperation and political dialogue, including at the highest level. Moreover, the Ministers and representatives adopted the Convention on Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, defining and criminalising environment related offences and a new long-term strategy on the environment, addressing the environmental crisis in light of the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 

The Committee of Ministers primarily focused on the Council of Europe’s role in the current geopolitical context, with strong emphasis on continued support for Ukraine. In fact, the Ministerial Meeting started with a ceremony during which the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Iryna Mudra, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleksandr Karasevych handed over a letter to the Council of Europe’s Secretary General, Alain Berset, requesting the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine within the framework of the Council of Europe, thus allowing the Committee of Ministers to engage in further steps for the creation of said Tribunal.On 9 May 2025, the Commission, represented by Commissioner Michael McGrath, High Representative Kaja Kallas, the Council of Europe, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, and the representatives of an international coalition of states had gathered in Lviv, Ukraine to formally endorse the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

In her intervention during the 134^th Committee of Ministers meeting, the EU Ambassador to the Council of Europe Vesna Kos emphasised the importance of accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and thus underlined the EU’s commitment to support the creation of the Special Tribunal and negotiate on the Claims Commission for Ukraine. She also highlighted broader accountability efforts and thus expressed EU’s readiness to launch the reflections on the modalities for the establishment and financing of the Compensation Fund, in coordination with partners. Moreover, she underscored that the EU is making progress on its accession to the European Convention on Human Rights and is currently actively preparing to refer the revised draft accession agreement to the European Court of Justice for opinion with a view to adopting the accession instruments.

The Ministerial session concluded with the transfer of the Council of Europe Presidency from Luxembourg to Malta. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg presented Malta’s priorities, namely support to Ukraine, external outreach, protection of children, the fight against violence and discrimination, empowerment of youth, and the safeguarding of democracy and the rule of law.

On the eve of the Ministerial Meeting, Ministers and representatives also took part in ceremony during which the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer was opened for signature. 17 Council of Europe Member States, among which 11 EU Member States, signed the Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. This Convention is the first international, legally binding instrument, which places the protection of the profession of lawyer at the heart of the respect of the rule of law and access to justice. It is a response to the increasing number of attacks against practising lawyers and their professional associations, whether in the form of harassment, threats or attacks, or interference in the exercise of their professional responsibilities. At least eight countries, including six Council of Europe Member States must ratify it for it to enter into force.

The Luxembourg Presidency showcased our exhibition “75 women in 75 years of Council of Europe history” in the European Conference Centre, where the 134^th session of the Committee of Ministers took place. Created in 2024 to celebrate the Council of Europe's 75th anniversary and organised in cooperation with the Council of Europe and the Permanent Representations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to the Council of Europe, the exhibition pays tribute to the many women who have contributed to the Council of Europe since its creation.

Read EU Ambassador Vesna Kos’ intervention at the 134^th Council of Europe Ministerial Session: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/council-europe/134th-ministerial-session-committee-ministers-13-14-may-2025-intervention-eu-ambassador-council_en?s=51 

Discover the digital exhibition “75 women in 75 years of Council of Europe history”: https://www.coe.int/en/web/coe-story/75-women 

Check out the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers’ priorities: https://maltacoe.gov.mt/maltas-presidency/our-priorities/ 

Learn more about the Council of Europe’s efforts to contribute to environmental protection: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/council-of-europe-steps-up-on-the-environmental-front 

Read about the Convention for the Protection of the profession of Lawyer: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/council-of-europe-convention-on-protecting-lawyers-opens-for-signature 

Learn more about the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine: https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/international-coalition-agrees-establishment-special-tribunal-crime-aggression-against-ukraine-2025-05-09_en and https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/frequently-asked-questions