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Mykhailo Smokovych, President of the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court, took part in the colloquium “Dialogue with the European Court of Human Rights – Advisory Opinions under Protocol No. 16 to the Convention and the Impact of the Court’s Judgments at the National Level” and the General Assembly of ACA-Europe, held in Helsinki, Republic of Finland.
During the ACA-Europe General Assembly meeting, a decision was approved on the admission of the Supreme Court as a member of the organization.
The Helsinki colloquium marked the conclusion of Finland’s presidency of ACA-Europe, which lasted from 2023 to 2025 and was carried out in close cooperation with Sweden. The overarching theme of the presidency was the dialogue between national supreme administrative jurisdictions and European courts — the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights. The Helsinki colloquium focused specifically on the dialogue between national supreme administrative courts and the ECtHR.
As part of the visit, participants met with the President of ACA-Europe and President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland, Kari Kuusiniemi, as well as the Secretary-General of ACA-Europe, Geert Debersaques, at the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland.
The colloquium was opened with welcome remarks by Kari Kuusiniemi, President of ACA-Europe and President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland. The keynote address was delivered by former ECtHR Judge Pauliine Koskelo on the topic: “Climate Change and Human Rights Protection in Europe – the Challenge and the Contribution of the ECtHR.”
The first session of the event focused on brief reports regarding the return (deportation) of migrants and asylum seekers. The second session was devoted to climate change litigation.
At the seminar dedicated to discussing the rule of law, judicial independence, and the impact of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments at the national level, Mykhailo Smokovych, President of the Administrative Cassation Court of the Supreme Court, delivered a welcome address.
In his speech, he emphasized that cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Finland is of great importance, especially during the difficult time of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. He also expressed gratitude to all those who support the Ukrainian people amid the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and who stand with us in defending European democratic values.
The speaker highlighted that the Ukrainian people are firmly on the path toward the European Union, and the constitutional enshrinement of the irreversibility of Ukraine’s European integration course has become a key step in the strategic direction of the country’s development.
Mykhailo Smokovych noted that Ukraine officially launched accession negotiations with the European Union in 2024, marking a significant stage in the country’s political, legal and institutional transformation in line with European standards.
He also stressed the important role played by the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the EU in strengthening legal unity in administrative justice across EU Member States. It is notable that the Supreme Court of Ukraine has acquired observer status in the Association, which constitutes a significant step on the path toward European integration and eventual full membership in the EU.
Additionally, the President of the Administrative Cassation Court spoke about the specific challenges and functioning of Ukraine’s judiciary under wartime conditions.
The events were organized by the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland in cooperation with ACA-Europe, as part of Finland’s presidency of ACA-Europe (2023–2025).
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