On 10 February, President of Latvia Egils Levits welcomed Didier Reynders, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Justice, to the Riga Castle to exchange views on legal dimension of special ad hoc international tribunal to investigate and prosecute Russia for its crime of aggression against Ukraine.
President of Latvia acknowledged EU’s efforts in creating legal prerequisites for prosecuting Russia. Egils Levits also expressed support for European Parliament resolution of 19 January, which calls for international tribunal to hold Russia accountable for crimes of aggression against Ukraine according to applicable international law, and European Council decision to create International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine (ICPA) adopted during summit on 9-10 February.
‘Reaction of international community must be decisive, united and firm. We must hold Russian state and individual perpetrators accountable for war crimes against Ukraine. Any attempts to dismantle international order or challenge international law must be prevented,’ President Levits underlined.
Commissioner Reynders thanked Latvia for its vocal support for establishment of special ad hoc tribunal in Europe and also globally, to which President Levits confirmed that Latvia will continue to advocate for special tribunal in available international formats, thus sending Russia a clear signal that international community is ready to stand by rule of law and there will be no impunity.
It is vital to roll over sanctions against Russia and stamp out national and EU sanction evasion attempts, President of Latvia said. ‘We must find a legal way to take over and use frozen Russian assets for reconstruction of Ukraine. Aggressor must indemnify all damage. Ukraine keeps suffering more and more losses every day,’ Egils Levits concluded.
In conclusion, Commissioner for Justice praised Latvia for high level of justice and rule of law.
