In presenting the Council of Europe Report 2025, the Secretary General, Alain Berset, emphasised: “This report comes out at a time when too many Europeans are angry and afraid. Angry as they watch democracy chipped away, crisis after crisis, with nothing but contempt for the rule of law and human rights. They are also afraid because they feel left out of the decisions that will shape the future of their continent. And how could it be otherwise, when the rules-based order that emerged after the Second World War is unravelling before our very eyes?”. Berset stated: “My priorities are clear: standing with Ukraine in its fight for freedom and justice; revitalising our democracies under strain; and keeping our whole European family strong and united”. “Now, more than ever, we need the Council of Europe to be the lighthouse in the storm – 46 proud member states, equal in their diversity, uniquely positioned to help shape Europe’s future geopolitical and security architecture”. A “real security” means, in his opinion, “resilient institutions people can trust, laws that apply equally to everyone and the kind of stability that allows democracy to grow. As the challenges facing our societies evolve, it also means addressing issues including migration, cybersecurity, terrorism, human trafficking and more”.