PRESS RELEASE

Subject :

The European Union welcomes the ratification by Andorra of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which is the thirtieth ratification or accession, thus reaching exactly half the number required for the entry into force of the Statute.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is possibly the most significant achievement of international law since the founding of the UN. By ending impunity for those who have committed or instigated atrocities, and through effective and impartial administration of justice, the Court will strengthen the primacy of law and contribute to global peace and security. The Statute has received a high degree of support from a large number of states from all regions of the world, including 139 signatures.

The European Union is a strong supporter of the Court. Eight of its fifteen Member States have already ratified the Rome Statute, while the others are in the process of doing so. All Member States are working on the implementation of the Statute to ensure full co-operation with the future Court. The European Union assists countries to ratify or accede to the Statute, and the Union is also determined to contribute to the effective, early establishment of the Court.

The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus and Malta, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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