Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.  Let me start by congratulating Jordan on assuming the role of Chair of HCoC for 2026- 2027 and expressing our appreciation to Ambassador Alejandro Garofali Acosta for his work undertaken during Uruguay’s HCoC chairmanship. We