Record support for reparations to Ukraine: 35 states ready to sign Council of Europe convention
The Convention on the establishment of a reparations mechanism for Ukraine is ready to be signed by 35 states on the first day. This was stated by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset at the opening of a diplomatic conference in The Hague.
According to him, this number of signatories is a record for a new international treaty. Berset noted that the level of support exceeded expectations, as not only European countries joined the process. The conference is attended by representatives of more than 50 countries from Europe, North and Latin America, Asia, and Australia.
The Convention provides for the establishment of a Compensation Commission, which will become part of the international mechanism for compensation for damage caused to Ukraine as a result of Russian aggression. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe stressed that the issue of accountability cannot be secondary in peace negotiations and must remain at the centre of any peace plan.
Berset stressed that the Council of Europe relies on international law as an instrument of justice. According to him, the organisation has no military power, but it has the power of law, which should apply equally to all states.