Important Facts of the News
- The Council of Europe’s Secretary General Alain Berset completed an official visit to Vienna.
- His discussions emphasized democratic security as essential for European stability and peace.
- Berset addressed the OSCE Permanent Council, calling for stronger cooperation between institutions.
- Security concerns highlighted included war in Ukraine, disinformation, foreign influence, climate change, and democratic decline.
- He met Austrian leadership including the Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the Minister of Justice Anna Sporrer.
- The visit also focused on strengthening support to Ukraine, including legal responses, reconstruction, and protection of children.
- A public lecture on “Thirty years of democratic security and the New Pact for Democracy” was delivered at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy.
- Berset stressed that Europe needs a New Democratic Pact built on education, protection, and innovation.
The Council of Europe’s Secretary General Alain Berset concluded a visit to Vienna where he underlined the growing need to strengthen democratic security across Europe. The visit focused on how European institutions can work together to safeguard stability and respond more effectively to emerging geopolitical challenges.
Calls for Renewed Democratic Resilience
Speaking to the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Berset noted that both institutions were founded to ensure peace on the continent. He said that current conditions in Europe test the ability of these bodies to act promptly in the face of shifting threats. Among the concerns mentioned were the ongoing war in Ukraine, the spread of disinformation, rising foreign influence, the impact of climate change, advances in artificial intelligence, weakened multilateral cooperation, rearmament trends, and democratic decline.
He cautioned that Europe risks becoming a region where military strength increases while democratic institutions weaken. He urged policymakers to rethink security by integrating the democratic dimension into the framework of continental protection.
Strengthening Institutional Cooperation
In a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, discussions centred on strengthening cooperation in multiple areas. These included human-rights-based approaches to drug and addiction policies, addressing organised crime and human trafficking, protecting the environment, and supporting youth engagement. Both leaders also considered ways their institutions can jointly help reinforce resilience and democratic reconstruction in Ukraine, particularly in supporting affected children.
Engagement with Austrian Leadership
During his stay in Vienna, Berset held meetings with several senior Austrian officials including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the Third President of the Austrian National Council Doris Bures, Minister of Justice Anna Sporrer, Acting Head of Chancellery Alexander Pröll, and State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn. The discussions highlighted the importance of applying Council of Europe tools across Europe to uphold shared values.
A major point of emphasis was the proposed Democratic Pact for Europe, aimed at renewing democratic foundations through education, protection mechanisms, and innovation.
A New Democratic Pact for the Future
Berset also delivered a lecture at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy, reflecting on the evolution of Europe’s democratic structure over the past three decades. He warned against assuming democracy will endure without active effort. He noted that ignoring democratic erosion invites a gradual weakening of rights and institutions. The New Democratic Pact, he reiterated, is intended to strengthen democracy as Europe’s primary safeguard.
Conclusion
The Vienna visit underscored the central message that democratic security must remain the foundation of European peace. Strengthening cooperation, defending shared values, and supporting Ukraine were key priorities highlighted throughout the discussions.