Newly elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset: Ukraine and its citizens are main priorities for EU
Alain Berset was a member of the Swiss Government from 2012 to 2023. During this time he held the office of President of the Confederation twice, in 2018 and 2023.
On 25 June, the newly elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, said that Ukraine and all international initiatives related to its support would be his priority during the next five years, according to UkrInform.
His statements came immediately after the results of the elections were announced at the Palace of Europe in Strasbourg.
“Our main priority – and we all understand why – is Ukraine. And when we are talking about Ukraine, we are talking not just about the country, we are talking about Ukrainians. We are talking about their children, and the Council of Europe is very actively involved in all these issues,” Berset said.
He added that he intends to discuss support proposals for Ukraine at the level of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers as soon as possible.
“We must act quickly both with regard to the compensation mechanism and the Register of Damage and with regard to strengthening the protection of Ukraine. We are aware that we must comply with our obligations, and I promise to be devoted to this cause,” Berset stated.
Appointment of new NATO Secretary General signals continued support for Ukraine
On 26 June, the North Atlantic Council also appointed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Ukraine received military support from the Netherlands under Rutte’s Prime Ministry. In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte signed a long-term security pact that provides Ukraine with air defense systems and artillery.
Read more:
FT: Brussels says Ukraine meets criteria for EU accession talks
ISW warns of escalating Russian hybrid operations in Moldova ahead of EU accession talks
Rutte: Ukraine to receive at least 24 F-16 jets in total
Kurt Volker: If Ukraine can’t join NATO until war ends, Putin will continue war
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