Montenegro takes over the Presidency of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers; Ibrahimović: We are taking on this responsibility at a critical moment for Europe

Montenegro has officially taken over the six-month Presidency of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg today, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović saying that the country was taking on this responsibility at a critical moment for Europe, Portal Pobjeda reports.

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said that democracy would be the first item on the agenda of Montenegro's upcoming Chairmanship, noting that the country had been a member of the pan-European organisation since 2007.

- We know that all your priorities for the Chairmanship are interconnected. We believe in your contribution to safeguarding the principles on which the Council of Europe is founded. Montenegro can count on our full support. I wish you every success and look forward to working with Montenegro - Berset said.

Montenegro's chief diplomat thanked Monaco for its successful Chairmanship, noting that the high standards had been set through the leadership of the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, the dedication of her team and the spirit of cooperation they had fostered.

Ibrahimović said that Montenegro stood firmly with Ukraine and would continue to do so throughout its Presidency. He also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic events in Kraków, as well as his sincere solidarity with the people of Poland.

- Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, and we wish those injured a speedy and full recovery - Ibrahimović said.

According to him, Montenegro is taking on this responsibility at a critical moment for Europe.

- The international order is facing growing pressure. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues to challenge the foundations of European security. Armed conflicts, geopolitical rivalries and the erosion of international law are creating profound uncertainty. Democratic institutions are facing growing pressure from disinformation, social polarisation and declining public trust. These challenges require more than expressions of concern. They require political leadership, stronger institutions and collective action - Ibrahimović said.

Europe, he noted, is adapting to a new geopolitical reality.

- The Council of Europe must be ready to contribute fully to shaping responses to these challenges. This Organisation was founded on the conviction that peace cannot be sustained without democracy, human rights and the rule of law. That conviction is just as relevant today as it was more than seven decades ago. However, defending our principles also requires the courage to adapt - Ibrahimović noted.

He believes that discussions on reforming the Council of Europe provide an opportunity to consider how to make the organisation more effective, more visible and better equipped to respond to contemporary challenges.

- This is a shared responsibility that requires the engagement of all member states, the Secretary General and the Organisation itself - Ibrahimović added.

He described the initiative for a New Democratic Pact for Europe as an important part of ongoing efforts to consider how democratic resilience can be strengthened across the continent.

- These two processes should complement each other, drawing on the Council of Europe's existing standards, mechanisms and expertise, while fully respecting its fundamental mandate. During our Presidency, Montenegro will encourage open and inclusive discussions aimed at identifying practical approaches and areas of common understanding. Ukraine remains at the heart of Europe's struggle to defend the rules-based international order. Montenegro's position is firm and unwavering. We stand with Ukraine, in support of its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter - Ibrahimović emphasised.

There can be no lasting peace without justice, he added.

- And there can be no credible justice without accountability. The Council of Europe has already demonstrated its ability to translate political solidarity into concrete action. The Register of Damage, the establishment of the International Claims Commission and efforts towards establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine represent key steps in this direction - Ibrahimović said.

He announced that Montenegro would support further progress towards making these mechanisms fully operational during its Presidency.

- Support for Ukraine is not merely a responsibility towards one member state. It is a responsibility towards the principles on which this Organisation was founded - Ibrahimović stressed.

As he noted, Montenegro is approaching this Chairmanship with a strong sense of responsibility, grounded in its own experience.

- Twenty years ago, we restored our independence. At that time, Montenegro was emerging from a period in which it had been one of the less developed parts of the former state. Today, our country has undergone an extraordinary transformation. We have strengthened our institutions, developed our economy and established ourselves as a reliable partner in the international community. We became a NATO member in 2017. We are now working to conclude our EU accession negotiations by the end of 2026, with the ambition and firm determination to become the Union's next member by 2028 - Ibrahimović stressed.

He added that Montenegro's path had not been without difficulties, but that its experience had demonstrated what a small country could achieve through clear strategic commitments, determination and dedication to European values.

- The Council of Europe has been an important partner throughout this transformation process. Its standards, conventions and monitoring mechanisms have helped guide our democratic reforms and strengthen the protection of human rights and the rule of law. This progress has also provided a solid foundation for advancing our European Union accession process - Ibrahimović noted.

For Montenegro, he said, European integration is not merely a foreign policy objective.

- It represents a national transformation and a choice about the kind of society we want to continue building. It is in this spirit that we are assuming the Presideny of the Committee of Ministers. Guided by the fundamental values that have underpinned Montenegrin society for centuries - dialogue, solidarity and resilience - our programme is based on three priorities, as outlined in the document already distributed to you. The first is democracy in the digital age - Ibrahimović said.

He added that digital transformation was changing how societies function, how citizens access information and how democratic decisions are shaped.

- We will focus on education, culture, media freedom and the role of local authorities in strengthening democratic resilience. Particular attention will be paid to the opportunities and risks presented by new technologies, including their impact on young people. Democracy must remain strong in a world where technology is developing far faster than our institutions - Ibrahimović emphasised.

The second priority concerns equality and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly the rights of vulnerable groups. The protection of women's and children's rights will be at the heart of Montenegro's activities.

- We will address gender-based violence, femicide, discrimination and the challenges children face in an increasingly complex social and digital environment. Human rights must have real meaning in people's everyday lives. Their protection is a measure of the strength of our democracies - Ibrahimović said.

Democratic security through the rule of law will also be a priority, he added.

- We will advocate stronger institutions, judicial independence and the fight against corruption and organised crime. The rule of law is not an abstract principle. It is the foundation of public trust, economic development and democratic stability - Ibrahimović said.

These three priorities are closely interconnected, he added, and will form the backbone of an extensive political and expert programme throughout Montenegro's Chairmanship.

- Together, they reflect our belief that democratic resilience is built on genuine dialogue and solidarity, and that it begins with institutions citizens can trust and rights they can exercise - Ibrahimović noted.

During its Presideny, Montenegro will also place particular emphasis on bringing the Council of Europe closer to citizens, he added.

- Alongside our political and expert programme, we are preparing a series of cultural events in Strasbourg and Montenegro. These will showcase our country's cultural heritage, contemporary artistic expression and European identity. At the same time, we will organise a range of activities throughout Montenegro to introduce the wider public to the work and achievements of the Council of Europe - Ibrahimović announced.

As he explained, the aim is for Montenegrin citizens, particularly young people, to gain a better understanding of how the organisation contributes to protecting their rights and building a better future for their society.

- The impact of the Council of Europe must be visible beyond Strasbourg. Its achievements must be recognised by the people it serves - Ibrahimović said.

The next six months, he assessed, would be demanding but would also provide an important opportunity to strengthen the organisation's political relevance.

- Our work will culminate in the ministerial session of the Committee of Ministers, which Montenegro will host in Kotor on May 11 and 12, 2027. We want Kotor to be more than just the conclusion of another Presidency. It should provide an opportunity to take stock of the results of our joint efforts, reflect on the progress achieved and consider the next steps in addressing the challenges facing our Organisation - Ibrahimović stressed.

He added that Montenegro would approach this task with ambition, openness and determination.

- We are a small country. But we know that Europe's strength has never depended solely on the size of its states. It has depended, and still depends, on the principles we defend, the choices we make and our willingness to act together. Europe needs a strong Council of Europe. And the Council of Europe needs strong political will from all its member states. Montenegro is ready to make its contribution - Ibrahimović concluded.

Monaco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, whose country is handing over the six-month Chairmanship to Montenegro, wished Montenegro every success during its term.

Ukraine's representative to the Committee of Ministers also wished Montenegro a successful Chairmanship. He welcomed Montenegro's condemnation of Russian aggression and its announced commitment to promoting peace.