Council of Europe Completes Technical Work on Special Tribunal for Russia

The Core Group for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine has completed the preparation of the necessary legal documents, and the Council of Europe is ready for its prompt launch. This was announced by Council Secretary General Alain Berset after the Core Group meeting in Strasbourg.  

‘I welcome the successful outcome of the Core Group meeting and the completion of the necessary technical and legal documents for the establishment of the Special Tribunal within the Council of Europe,’ he was quoted as saying by the Council of Europe's official website.  

During the final meeting, which took place in Strasbourg from 19 to 21 March, the group members completed work on three main documents: a draft bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of the Special Tribunal, a draft statute of the tribunal, and a draft extended partial agreement on the management of the Special Tribunal. These documents will now be submitted for political consideration.  

‘The Council of Europe is ready to launch the tribunal as soon as possible. It is now up to the states to demonstrate the political will to ensure the establishment of the Special Tribunal,’ said Berset.  

Earlier, the European Commission said that the countries that are members of the Core Group for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression could approve its charter within a few weeks. This, as noted, will strengthen Ukraine's position in future negotiations to end Russian aggression.

As The Gaze reported, in February, Council of Europe chief Alain Berset welcomed progress in preparations for the launch of the Special Tribunal Against Russia.