We, participants of the Fifth Session of the High-Level Dialogue "Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward in Post-War Period", which was held in Strasbourg (France) on 1-2 April 2026:
Condemn the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine and express our support for comprehensive justice, accountability for crimes, and a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, ensuring its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Express our satisfaction for the results of the fifth session of the High-Level Dialogue. As a result of the Dialogue, Ukrainian stakeholders, with the facilitation of the Council of Europe, reached a broad agreement on decentralisation reform in compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, transition from military to civilian governance and post-war elections after reaching a sustainable peace, in line with European standards, good practices and Ukraine's EU candidate status.
Agree that the progress made here in respect of defining necessary steps to be taken for furthering the decentralisation reforms is of outmost importance; this progress concerns the balance of competences and resources, fair distribution of public assets, the recovery of state power and local self-government in de-occupied and frontline territories, the transition from military to regular (civilian) local and regional governance, based on precise algorithms as for different functional types of territories and stages of their recovery/development. Recognise the usefulness and value of the moderated formats provided by the Council of Europe in the context of the international peace efforts.
Acknowledge and commend the role of the Verkhovna Rada and the Government of Ukraine in the reform process; praise the associations of local and regional authorities for their involvement in the process of updating Ukraine's Concept of the reform of local self-government and territorial organisation of power; underline the need to ensure the elaboration and execution of a dedicated long-term Action Plan for the reform implementation under martial law and in the post-war period; recall that, in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, local and regional authorities should be free to exercise their competences, as provided for by the Constitution of Ukraine and by the law, and that their resources should be commensurate with such competences, both own and delegated.
Underline the importance of continued efforts and early preparation for the organisation of post-war elections in Ukraine, including the development of an appropriate legal framework and institutional arrangements in line with Council of Europe standards.
Welcome the establishment and ongoing work of the parliamentary Working Group and its specialised sub-groups, as well as the preparatory measures undertaken by the Central Election Commission and commend the close co-operation between the Ukrainian authorities and the Council of Europe, which contributes to ensuring a consistent and inclusive approach in line with international standards.
Acknowledge the progress made in identifying key preconditions for the conduct of post-war elections, including the elaboration of criteria to assess their feasibility and the advancement of legislative work. Encourage further efforts to complete the legal framework, strengthen institutional and interagency co-ordination, and address security challenges, including disinformation and foreign interference, while ensuring the effective exercise of electoral rights, in particular for internally displaced persons, military personnel and citizens abroad.
Highlight the value of the co-operation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe in accompanying the steady progress of Ukraine on its path towards the European Union, declare our intention to continue working in the format offered by the High-Level Dialogue, with the support of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress and the Venice Commission, bringing together the main Ukrainian stakeholders in the fields of multilevel governance and elections.
