Secretary General Alain Berset issued a stark reminder to the Ministers' Deputies of the seriousness of the situation of democracy in Europe, stating that "If rearmament takes place without strong democratic safeguards, there is a real risk that, tomorrow, extremist or authoritarian governments could use that power against our own values." The meeting took place in Malta as part of that country's Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
Highlights
- UNGA80 exposed strain on global governance: "we face a 'perfect storm' of crises threatening both democracy and multilateralism."
- Ukraine remains foremost priority, with accountability for Russia's aggression and the Action Plan supporting justice, reform, and resilience.
- On Gaza: "compliance with international law is non-negotiable," and "the two-state solution remains the only viable path to a just and lasting peace."
- At the EPC meeting: "military security and democratic security must go hand in hand."
- At the PACE session, lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus is essential for Europe's stability, and only an inclusive Council of Europe can preserve its relevance and collective strength.
Meeting in Malta on 7 October, the Secretary General briefed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on two intense weeks of diplomacy - from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, to the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Copenhagen, to official visits and the Autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). He made clear that Europe's future security cannot rely on defence alone, but equally on democratic resilience, human rights, and the rule of law.
The UN at a crossroads
At the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA80), Berset observed both urgency and strain. Financial pressures and political fragmentation are forcing the United Nations to adapt, while Security Council paralysis is eroding trust. "We face a 'perfect storm' of crises threatening both democracy and multilateralism," he told leaders.
Where global mechanisms falter, regional organisations must deliver. The Secretary General emphasised that "our credibility - and that of the wider system - is on the line." He reported strong interest from the African Union, the Organization of American States, and the League of Arab States in deepening dialogue with the Council of Europe.
Ukraine: accountability first
Ukraine remains central to the Council of Europe's agenda. At the UNGA, leaders recognised the Council of Europe as the only regional organisation directly advancing accountability for Russia's aggression. The Secretary General highlighted the Register of Damage, a future Claims Commission, preparations for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, and the Action Plan for Ukraine supporting judicial reform, democratic governance, and anti-corruption. Lasting security, he underlined, depends on democratic values: "the very basis of our strategy of 'democratic security'."
Gaza and global standards
On Gaza, the Secretary General stated that "double standards must be avoided." He stressed that "compliance with international law is non-negotiable," and that "the two-state solution remains the only viable path to a just and lasting peace." He also pointed to strengthened cooperation with the ILO on social justice, the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee on terrorist financing, and new global interest in the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI.
Democratic security - and the risks of rearmament without safeguards
At the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen, the Secretary General stated that "military security and democratic security must go hand in hand." He warned: "If rearmament takes place without strong democratic safeguards, there is a real risk that, tomorrow, extremist or authoritarian governments could use that power against our own values."
He presented two flagship initiatives: the New Democratic Pact for Europe, aimed at rebuilding trust in institutions, and a future Council of Europe Convention on disinformation and foreign interference. He confirmed growing support from European leaders, as well as closer practical cooperation with NATO to link military and democratic security.
South Caucasus
At the Autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the situation of Azerbaijan featured prominently. The Secretary General said the issue requires clarity on the way forward, but also a broader reflection. "Do we want the Council of Europe to remain a truly pan-European space, capable of dialogue, influence and impact for all the people of the continent?" he asked. "I remain convinced that an inclusive organisation is the only way to preserve our relevance and our collective strength."
Berset reiterated that stability in the South Caucasus, anchored in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is essential not only for the prosperity of the region but also for Europe's overall geopolitical balance.
