Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, in his role as President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, presided over the signing of an agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
The signing took place in Strasbourg, where Ian Borg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset.
The agreement, described as a significant legal development, aims to address the crime of aggression committed in the context of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
It follows three years of legal and diplomatic work led by a Core Group of nearly 40 states and institutions, with Ukrainian Ambassador-at-Large Anton Korynevych playing a central role.
Dr Borg noted Malta’s involvement in multilateral forums and reiterated a commitment to international law.
He stated that the tribunal would serve to ensure accountability and that the rule of law is applied fairly, even at the highest levels of power.
The agreement complements existing international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court, focusing specifically on aggression as a prosecutable offence.
It also forms part of the Council of Europe’s broader efforts, including the Register of Damages and future plans for a Claims Commission and Compensation Fund to support Ukraine’s recovery and justice process.
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