„The Council of Europe has shown what it means to stand with young people.“ – Speech at the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth in Malta

Your excellencies, dear colleagues,

The Council of Europe has shown what it means to stand with young people. It responded quickly to their needs: supporting youth structures and young people in Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion. This solidarity matters.

But across our continent, many young people are struggling with insecurity, rising hate and shrinking civic space - yet they keep showing up, organising, and defending democratic values.

Youth organisations are schools of democracy and resilience.

They give young people the strength to act when hope alone is not enough.

Supporting them means investing in Europe’s democratic strength and its capacity to recover, rebuild trust, and stand together.

The Declaration, the new Youth Perspective Framework and the creation of a third European Youth Centre in the Black Sea region can bring the New Democratic Pact to life.

Ultimately, it’s about strengthening democracy through trust and shared responsibility with young people.

We value the strong engagement of the German government in the Council of Europe and the close cooperation we continue to build together.

Let’s make sure the Council of Europe remains a place where young people are trusted, supported and heard — especially when democracy is being tested.

Thank you.