On 6 February 2025, the President of the International Criminal Court ("ICC"), Judge Tomoko Akane, First Vice-President Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala and Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler visited Brussels, Belgium, in order to meet officials of the European Union ("EU") and representatives of States Parties.
In particular, they met with H.E. Mr António Costa, President of the European Council and H.E. Ms Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. The Presidency expressed its appreciation for the EU's support thus far and strongly urged the EU to take concrete and swift steps to protect the Court. In this regard, it was stressed that the EU Blocking Statute remains one of the most essential tools for the Court to survive any sanctions that may be imposed.
The President also met with H.E. Ms Weronika Frydryszek, Representative of Poland to the Political and Security Committee and Deputy Head of the Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU, and called upon Poland to lead EU efforts to protect the ICC, as it is currently holding the current Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Whilst in Brussels, the Presidency and the Registrar addressed the Council of the European Union's Working Party on Public International Law - International Criminal Court (COJUR-ICC). The President briefed the COJUR-ICC on the concrete threats that the Court faces and the impact that these threats may have on the Court's operations and called upon the European Union (EU) to take action, including by enacting the Blocking Statute. She stated: 'The Court and the European Union share common values and ideals: the rule of law and justice for victims of international crimes. That is why in the Council's decision of 21 March 2011 it was decided that "it is most important that the integrity of the Rome Statute and the independence of the ICC be preserved". But to preserve the Court you must act now.'
