On 10 September Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland addressed a conference on the implementation of the Council of Europe action plan for Ukraine. In his speech, the Secretary General underlined the need for further democratic reforms. He also urged the Ukrainian authorities to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

The three-year plan, launched in September 2011, has a value of € 22 million and includes 51 projects aimed at supporting Ukraine in bringing legislation, institutions and practice in line with European standards. It focuses on the reform of the judiciary, combating corruption and money laundering, freedom of expression, local democracy and free and fair elections. The action plan is supported by the Council of Europe member states.