European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Michael McGrath recently visited Strasbourg to meet with senior officials from the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
During their visit, Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner McGrath held constructive discussions with a range of high-level officials, including the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the President of the European Court of Human Rights, and the Commissioner for Human Rights. With regard to the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), both Commissioners emphasised that it remains a priority for the Commission. They underlined the importance of coherence with regard to the EU initiative for a European Democracy Shield and the Council of Europe’s initiative for a new Democratic Pact for Europe. With regard to the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, they reiterated the joint commitment to justice, accountability, and a rules-based international order.
The visit reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to its strategic partnership with the Council of Europe, leveraging it to uphold human rights and fortify democratic governance across Europe.
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