Secretary General Alain Berset used his exchange with the Committee of Ministers to underline the political purpose of the Council of Europe's reform: "strengthening the Council of Europe's relevance, impact and ability to respond to today's challenges". The Secretary General was speaking to representatives of 46 European governments and observer states at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe: adding value for Europeans
His message was clear: reform is not an administrative exercise. It is about enabling member States to make better use of the organisation's unique assets - its legal standards, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Court, the Venice Commission, monitoring mechanisms, intergovernmental expertise and co-operation tools - in support of democratic security in Europe.
One example that he brought up of adding value for Europeans was that of the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's constitutional advisory body. The commission, led by its President Marta Cartabia, carried out a visit to Hungary on 2 July at the invitation of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, as part of the latter's proposed constitutional reforms.
The Secretary General stressed: "The Venice Commission's work is a specific example of a process in which the Council of Europe's expertise makes a direct contribution to peaceful institutional developments and political stability within a common legal space."
Reforming for a more effective organisation
Looking ahead, the Secretary General confirmed that the next phase of the reform will remain driven by member States. Governments will be invited to provide written contributions, while an external think tank will support the process with independent strategic analysis and possible scenarios for the organisation's future development.
The objective is to clarify where the Council of Europe has the strongest added value, focus resources accordingly, simplify working methods and strengthen the organisation's ability to deliver results.
The ongoing consultations under the move towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe, the Council of Europe's response to threats to Europe's democratic societies, will also be a key contributor to this process.
Reform, ultimately, is about "our collective ability to make full use of the potential of the organisation", he said.
Europe faces the migration challenge together
One challenge facing Europe which the Council of Europe has recently helped address is that of migration, which was the subject of a declaration by member states at Chișinău on 15 May of this year. This was an issue that has often been distorted by populism and disinformation, said the Secretary General. He highlighted how the process leading to the declaration had depoliticised the subject and "brought the migration debate back within the framework of the Council of Europe, where it belongs". He underlined the delicate balance achieved by the declaration:
"It acknowledges the concerns expressed by some member states. It preserves the independence and authority of the European Court. It protects the human rights of all those under the Court's jurisdiction, including migrants."
Follow-up work, including on strengthening understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights and combatting people trafficking, was continuing, said the Secretary General. The member states discussed the best forward.
Special Tribunal to help ensure accountability for Russia's aggression
Another area which has been central to the Council of Europe's work and to the ministerial agreements at the Chișinău conference was support for Ukraine. Part of that support involved the setting up of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
"I wish to express my appreciation for the Netherlands' support to our activities to ensure accountability for Ukraine," said Alain Berset in response to the Netherlands' offer to host the tribunal.
Multilateral approaches to FIMI
Of importance too in Chișinău was the issue of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which presents a risk to democratic security in Europe. Member states agreed to follow up on what was agreed in Chișinău with a view to advancing towards a new legal instrument to deal with the problem.
The Secretary General highlighted the ongoing work to open a New York office of the Council of Europe on 21 September 2026, stating that he would appoint a permanent observer to the United Nations. The organisation continues to work to strengthen multilateralism alongside other international organisations, and the opening of the New York office will feature a side event on strengthening multilateralism.
Secretary General Alain Berset
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
