Riga, Latvia
“Latvia’s experience in confronting hybrid threats will provide valuable insights for shaping European responses to strengthen democratic security and address emerging threats to our democracies,” stressed Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset as he concluded his two-day visit to the country.
During his visit, the Secretary General held high-level meetings with President of the Republic Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže and Speaker of the Saeima (the Latvian parliament) Daiga Mieriņa.
He thanked Latvia for its strong support and commitment to securing accountability for Ukraine, highlighting its role as one of the founding members of the Register of Damage, which records evidence and claims relating to damage, loss and injury resulting from the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.
Engaging with the public on democratic backsliding and on justice for Ukraine
In his guest lecture at the University of Latvia, Alain Berset made the case for the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe, stressing that “democratic security is a matter of national security” as Europe faces war, disinformation, economic uncertainty and democratic backsliding. He also stressed that Europe does not have to choose between security and democracy: “Democracy also means hearing the views we reject and arguing with them in the open.”
Secretary General Berset also participated in the Riga Conference 2026 in a panel discussion on “Ukraine’s Future as a Pillar of European Security”. He emphasised that Ukraine has already been part of Europe’s common legal space for thirty years and that, since joining the Council of Europe in 1995, it has continued to build within that space despite the war. “When the settlement comes, with its chapters on justice, property, elections and minorities, Europe will not have to invent a framework for Ukraine. Ukraine is already inside one.”
History of occupation and facing future threats
At NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, discussions focused on how NATO’s expertise in resilience, countering hybrid threats and strategic communications can be further connected with the Council of Europe’s expertise in strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe and beyond.
The Secretary General also met with representatives of civil society and visited the Occupation Museum of Latvia. He concluded his visit by attending a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.
© Council of Europe — Latvia’s experience can help shape Europe’s response to emerging threats to democracy – Alain Berset