At Dublin EPC Summit, Council of Europe Chief Alain Berset Warns Hard Rearmament Must Not Disarm Democracy

At the ninth European Political Community summit in Dublin, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset declared that Europe’s long-term stability depends on democratic security alongside military defense. Urging leaders to protect human rights and the rule of law while supporting Ukraine, Berset warned that continental rearmament must not occur at the expense of core democratic values.

RMN News Council of Europe Desk
New Delhi | November 14, 2026

Dublin Summit Focuses on Continental Stability

Heads of State or Government, alongside leaders of major European institutions and international organizations, gathered in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, for the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit. The high-level summit provided a forum for informal political and strategic discussions on pressing security challenges facing the continent.

Representing the 46-nation Council of Europe, Secretary General Alain Berset delivered a key message to attending leaders, emphasizing that democratic security serves as an essential counterpart to traditional hard security. Speaking to European heads of state, Berset stressed that Europe’s long-term safety relies as heavily on upholding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law as it does on defending physical borders.

Balancing Rearmament with Core Democratic Values

During the summit, Secretary General Berset actively participated in a strategic roundtable titled “Securing and defending a democratic Europe”. Participants examined Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, emerging hybrid and cyber threats to European stability, and concrete measures to safeguard democratic institutions across the continent.

Addressing the assembly of European leaders, Berset urged nations to maintain their foundational principles even as defense spending increases. “Europe must undoubtedly rearm, but without disarming democracy and without weakening our core values,” Berset stated. “Governments change, but weapons remain.”

Standing with Ukraine and Strategic Regional Priorities

Highlighting ongoing continental crises, Berset reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and pursuing full accountability for Russia’s aggression.

“Ukraine is fighting a long, hard fight for the values that Europe holds dear,” Berset noted. “We must continue to give Ukraine our full support, to ensure that Europe’s voice is heard at the negotiating table and to secure a lasting peace built upon justice and accountability.”

Beyond Eastern Europe, the Secretary General emphasized the necessity of safeguarding fundamental rights and the rule of law to guarantee long-term stability across the Western Balkans and the broader European region.

High-Level Bilateral Engagements

On the sidelines of the Dublin summit, Secretary General Berset held a series of strategic bilateral discussions with key leaders. His itinerary included formal exchanges with Nicușor Dan, President of Romania; Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo; Péter Magyar, Prime Minister of Hungary; Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; and Rumen Radev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

These bilateral sessions focused primarily on coordinated support for Ukraine, reinforcing democratic security framework mechanisms, and maintaining strategic regional stability in the Western Balkans.