Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain

05/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2026 07:13

Spain reaffirms commitment to democracy and human rights at Council of Europe ministerial meeting

PRESS RELEASE 069

Spain reaffirms commitment to democracy and human rights at Council of Europe ministerial meeting

The Government expresses its firm support for Ukraine and presents its own statement on migration, which places human rights at the centre

Today
Spain reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism, democracy and respect for human rights in Chisinau during the 135th ​Ministerial Meeting of the Council of Europe (CoE), organised by the Moldovan Presidency under the slogan "For a Europe of Peace and Resilience".

The meeting, held on Friday 15 May against an international backdrop marked by growing challenges, centred on three priorities: support for Ukraine and mechanisms to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression committed by the Russian Federation; promoting the New Democratic Pact for Europe; and tackling disinformation, including foreign manipulation and interference in information.

The State Secretary for the European Union, Fernando Sampedro, led the Spanish delegation on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares.

"Spain's accession to the CoE, which marks its 50th anniversary next year, provided decisive support for Spain's democratic transition. In that same pro-European spirit, we maintain today our firm commitment to multilateralism and the CoE's founding values: democracy, the rule of law and human rights," he stated.

During the meeting, Spain also reiterated its firm support for the Council of Europe's accountability mechanisms to ensure that the crime of aggression against Ukraine does not go unpunished.

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