International online conference has begun its work in Constitutional Court
Today, June 25, on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine and the 30th anniversary of the Venice Commission the International Online Conference „Mutual Achievements of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and Bodies of Constitutional Justice and the Problems of Interpretation in Constitutional Adjudication“ started its work.
The event is organised by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine together with the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.
The conference brought together statesmen, leading scholars, foreign experts, lawyers from Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine, as well as international organisations and foundations (Council of Europe, OSCE, German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ)).
The Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Oleksandr Tupytskyi welcomed the participants of the International Online Conference on the beginning of its work and stressed that for the Constitutional Court of Ukraine the day of the adoption of the Basic Law of Ukraine is a significant event. According to him, in 1996 a real object of protection by the constitutional judiciary appeared - the Ukrainian Constitution, which enshrined the basic values of a democratic society and for the first time defined a national catalog of human and civil rights. This document established a body of constitutional justice, which is the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, designed to guarantee the supremacy of the Basic Law of Ukraine.
On behalf of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tupytskyi sincerely congratulated the President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio on the remarkable event – 
the 30th anniversary of the European Commission for Democracy through Law and thanked the Commission for its significant contribution to the development of constitutional justice and democracy as well as protection of human and civil rights and freedoms throughout Europe.
Addressing the participants of the event, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov noted that Ukrainian parliamentarism will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary, which is a significant date for the state. Dmytro Razumkov focused on the constructive cooperation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, the results of which are important for the quality legislative work of the Parliament. He also congratulated the President of the Venice Commission on the 30th anniversary of its establishment, emphasising the Commission's significant 
contribution to improving Ukrainian legislation and bringing Ukrainian legislation in line with international standards.
Gianni Buquicchio, President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law, addressed the conference with a welcoming speech. He thanked the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine for the opportunity to hold a joint event, noting that it allows to discuss important topics and topical issues that need to be joined in order to resolve them. The President of the Venice 
Commission stressed that the Commission has been working closely with Ukraine since 1995, during which Ukraine has become one of the Venice Commission's best partners. Gianni Buquicchio highlighted the effective work of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine in protecting human and civil rights, as well as upholding constitutional principles and values.
Welcoming the participants of the conference, Ambassador Henrik Villadsen, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, emphasised its uniqueness and relevance. He thanked the Constitutional Court of Ukraine for many years of fruitful and effective cooperation. The Ambassador noted that the pandemic in the world has become a test of loyalty even for the most devoted internationalists. According to Henrik Villadsen, democracy is currently weakening in many countries. However, he added, it is the Venice Commission and the constitutional judiciary that remain bastions for the protection of the principles of equality and freedom in these difficult times.
Director of the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) Stefan Hülshörster congratulated Ukraine and the Constitutional Court on the great holiday – the Constitution Day of Ukraine. He noted the long-term fruitful cooperation of the 
German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation with Ukraine and stressed that the constitutional system is being developed to strengthen the rule of law in the world. According to him, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine properly performs an important function of monitoring compliance with the Basic Law of the state.
In his welcoming speech, Serhiy Holovaty, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and a member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law, spoke about the historical aspects of Ukraine's cooperation with the Venice Commission, which had began before the current Constitution was adopted. Serhiy Holovaty noted that the Venice Commission had played an important role in fulfilling Ukraine’s commitments when it joined the Council of Europe. In his opinion, this is the defense of fundamental human rights and the rule of law. The judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine also drew the attention of the participants to the fact that the implementation of the 2016 constitutional reform took into account almost all the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
