Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović attended the 134th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) today in Luxembourg.

The CoE Secretary General, Alain Berset, introduced the first Annual Report for 2025, titled “Towards a New Democratic Pact,” which aligns with the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. He emphasized the necessity to redirect the Council’s efforts toward bolstering democratic security amid ongoing crises.

During the discussion on “The Role of the Council of Europe in the New Geopolitical Context,” Ibrahimović asserted that the intricate geopolitical challenges of today demand collaborative efforts to build trust, resilience, and social cohesion, while simultaneously promoting democratic security through the protection of human rights and the rule of law. He expressed support for the concept of a New Democratic Pact as a means to uphold shared values.

He underscored the momentum of the European integration process and reiterated Montenegro’s strong commitment to EU membership by 2028. The progress made through comprehensive reforms has allowed us to advance significantly toward this goal, which has nearly unanimous backing from our citizens. He noted that the Council of Europe is viewed as a reliable partner throughout this journey.

Minister Ibrahimović reflected on the contemporary geopolitical situation, especially concerning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. He highlighted the critical importance of adhering to international law, sovereignty, independence, and the territorial integrity of all nations. Montenegro is calling for a just peace in Ukraine and for accountability regarding war crimes. Ukraine deserves our full support, he remarked.

He also mentioned that Montenegro will assume the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe during the 2026–2027 term, coinciding with notable national anniversaries: the 20th anniversary of independence restoration, the 10th anniversary of NATO membership, and the 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s accession to the Council of Europe. As a responsible member state, we will actively promote the values of multilateralism, alongside the Council’s strategic objectives and principles, he concluded.

While in Luxembourg, Ibrahimović engaged in a bilateral discussion with Isabelle Berro Amadei, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco. He also participated in a trilateral meeting with Minister Berro Amadei and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihail Popșoi. The conversation centered on aligning preparations for the upcoming chairmanships of the Committee of Ministers among the three nations, exploring opportunities for programmatic alignment and enhanced collaboration in the face of shared challenges, as well as identifying key thematic areas for their respective presidencies.

The foreign ministers in Luxembourg adopted a series of targeted resolutions regarding support for Ukraine, the strengthening of democracy, and the Council of Europe’s role as a protector of democratic values. They also ratified the Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, the Environmental Protection Strategy accompanied by its Action Plan, and decisions related to the Council’s future environmental initiatives.

At the end of today’s ministerial session, Luxembourg transferred the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers to the Republic of Malta.