Statement by H.E. Eglantina Gjermeni, Ambassador, Permanent Representative

in response to the  Address by the President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, H.E. Ms. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï

Meeting 1572th of the Permanent Council,09 July 2026, Vienna

Excellencies, collegues

Albania warmly welcomes Ms. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and congratulates the Principality of Monaco on assuming, for the first time, the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

We thank you for your remarks and welcome the vision guiding Monaco’s Presidency. Your Presidency demonstrates that principled leadership and steadfast commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law are defined not by the size of a country, but by the consistency of its engagement and the strength of its commitment to our shared values.

At a time when Europe faces growing security and democratic challenges, close cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE is more important than ever. Albania welcomes Monaco’s focus on strengthening democratic resilience, upholding the rule of law, and protecting the rights of women, children and young people. We particularly welcome the Presidency’s emphasis on children’s rights, a priority that Albania also actively advances as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. We also welcome Monaco’s attention to emerging challenges, including cybercrime and foreign information manipulation and interference, through enhanced international cooperation.

Mr. Chair,

Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine remains the most serious threat to European security and to the rules-based international order. Albania reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

We commend the Council of Europe’s continued efforts to advance accountability through the Register of Damage, the International Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. These mechanisms represent an essential contribution to ensuring justice for victims and reaffirm the principle that violations of international law cannot remain without accountability.

Colleagues,

Albania reiterates its firm support for the membership of the Republic of Kosova in the Council of Europe. Following the Parliamentary Assembly’s recommendation in support of Kosova’s membership, we believe that the Committee of Ministers should now complete this process. Doing so would reaffirm the Council of Europe’s commitment to its founding values and ensure that all citizens of Kosova can fully benefit from the Organization’s human rights protection system.

Completing Kosova’s accession would further reinforce the universality of the European human rights system and the Council of Europe’s commitment to extending its standards and protections to all democratic societies that uphold its values.

These same principles underscore the importance of continued and effective cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Today’s interconnected challenges call for both organizations to build on their complementary mandates and shared commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

As Chair of the OSCE Human Dimension Committee, Albania particularly values this cooperation and will support efforts to further strengthen synergies between the two organizations in advancing our shared commitments to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

We wish Monaco every success during its Presidency and are confident that it will make an important contribution to advancing our shared values and further strengthening cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

Thank you.