In November 1996, becoming a member of the Council of Europe, Croatia joined the oldest European organization whose principles have remained unchanged since its founding until today – the promotion of ideals and standards of democracy and the rule of law, as well as the protection and respect of human rights.
In November 1996, becoming a member of the Council of Europe, Croatia joined the oldest European organization whose principles have remained unchanged since its founding until today – the promotion of ideals and standards of democracy and the rule of law, as well as the protection and respect of human rights. As a true pan-European organization, the Council of Europe even during present Europe's fast and far-reaching changes consistently strives toward a Europe without dividing lines. And precisely because it is an organization which on one hand promotes all fundamental principles and ideals of contemporary democracy and on the other hand brings together forty-six of forty-seven European countries. Within the last fifteen years many of these countries, having reestablished their democratic values under the auspices of the Council of Europe, have achieved the stability and the necessary grade of maturity to hence join the European Union.
Croatia is on the same path. First of all it had to fulfill everything that was contained in a long list of obligations which it committed itself to when it became a member of the Council of Europe. In the process of fulfilling these obligations during the last eight years, Croatia's image in the Council of Europe has changed thoroughly – today this is an image which reflects evident results of general democratization of society as well as the results of persistent efforts of resolving specific issues. In connection with this it should be mentioned that this image in many aspects has been created through the work of this Permanent Representation and the Croatian diplomacy in general, as well as the work of the Parliamentary Delegation of the Croatian Sabor at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This image is entirely in accordance with the fact that Croatia today is a stable and active member of the Council of Europe, whose principles it does not only apply but also promote in its region and beyond.
Even today the Council of Europe remains to be of exceptional importance to Croatia's democratic development, for the reason that through its activities and active role performed in accordance with the principles of this organization it most efficiently achieves the implementation of numerous standards which the Council of Europe shares with the European Union. With its active involvement in diverse activities of the Council of Europe which are of interest to the European Union, Croatia best demonstrates own progress toward membership in the European Union.
It must also be kept in mind that the European Court of Human Rights operates at the Council of Europe, which is the only legal institute in the world that enables a private person to take to court a country for violations of their human rights. The number of filed charges by persons before this Court shows its enormous importance for the protection, development and spreading of awareness of human rights.
The Permanent Representation of the Republic of Croatia to the Council of Europe is active in Strasbourg since 1993. As Croatia's role within this organization was changing, challenges that the Representation had to face and still encounters changed as well. I believe that these pages will contribute that at least a part of the numerous activities of the Permanent Representation and the Council of Europe will be brought closer to those interested. This will also be a contribution to fulfilling one more principle of the Council of Europe – the transparency of the work of public institutions. I hope that – in compliance with this principle – you will recognize these words as a welcome and an invitation to get a better notion of our work and its meaning.
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