News and announcements

National Day of the Republic of CroatiaPermanent Representation of the Republic of Croatia to the Council of Europe held a reception which celebrated National Day (25 June) and marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitutional Decision on the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia, as well as the adoption of the Declaration of independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia. This year Croatia also celebrates the 15th anniversary of its membership in the Council of Europe. 25.06.2011. | Press releases

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu paid an official visit to Croatia of 28 to 29 April 2011President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mevlüt Çavusoglu paid an official visit to Croatia of 28 to 29 April 2011. On that occasion he met with his host, President of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebic, as well as with the Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandrokovic. Mevlüt Çavusoglu also met with Members of Parliament Frano Matušic, Neven Mimica, Vesna Pusic, Gordana Sobol and Nazif Memedi. The talks were also attended by the Members of Parliament Miljenko Doric, Srecko Gvozden Flego and Karmela Caparin. At the Faculty of Political Science, President of the Parliamentary Assembly gave a lecture entitled ''The challenges facing Europe and the role of the Council of Europe''.29.04.2011. | Press releases

High level Conference on the Future of the European Court of Human RightsHigh level Conference on the Future of the European Court of Human Rights, Izmir, 26-27 April 2011 A High-level conference on the future of the European Court of Human Rights was held in Izmir (Turkey). The conference adopted the Izmir declaration and Follow-up plan, which build upon the 2010 Interlaken declaration. The Izmir conference was intended to give new impetus to the reform process by adopting a number of measures to be taken to maintain the long-term effectiveness of the Convention system. The Croatian delegation was led by Justice Minister Dražen Bošnjakovic. 27.04.2011. | Press releases

Handbook on European non-discrimination law was launched A Handbook on European non-discrimination law was launched in Strasbourg on 21 March 2011, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Handbook was published jointly by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Court of Human Rights, as the first such project between two institutions. It is based on the case law of two European courts – the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg) and the European Court of Justice (Luxembourg). Currently it is available in English, French and German, but versions in almost all EU languages as well as in Croatian will follow shortly. The Handbook can be downloaded from the FRA's website (http://fra.europa.eu).21.03.2011. | Press releases

Ambassador Anica Djamić new Thematic Co-ordinator on Children (TC-ENF)Ambassador Anica Djamic new Thematic Co-ordinator on Children (TC-ENF) At the meeting of the Committee of the Ministers' Deputies, held on 2 February 2011, Ambassador Anica Djamic, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the Council of Europe, was entrusted with the position of Thematic Co-ordinator on Children (TC-ENF). She will take up her respective duty in May 2011. The appointment of Ambassador Anica Djamic as Thematic Co-ordinator on Children is a confirmation of an active role of the Republic of Croatia in the Council of Europe, as well as of a special contribution of the Republic of Croatia to the protection of children rights at European level.02.02.2011. | Press releases

Parliamentary Assembly Winter Session, Strasbourg, 24-28 January 2011Parliamentary Assembly Winter Session, Strasbourg, 24-28 January 2011 At the Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Republic of Croatia was represented by members of the Delegation of Croatian Parliament to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Frano Matušic, Miljenko Doric, Mirjana Feric-Vac, Gvozden Srecko Flego, Mirando Mrsic and Marija Pejcinovic Buric.28.01.2011. | Press releases

Judge Nina Vajić elected as a nes Section PresidentThe European Court of Human Right in Strasbourg has elected Nina Vajic as a new Section President. Judge Vajic is elected for a three-year term and will take up her respective duty on 1 February 2011. Judge Vajic has been a Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 1998 and a Section Vice-President since 1 February 2008. 17.12.2010. | Press releases

Naslov 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.01.01.2010. | Press releases

116. session of the Committee of MinistersKolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration, took part in the 116th Meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 18-19 May in Strasbourg. In her speech Minister Grabar-Kitarovic has underlined the irreplaceable authority of the Council of Europe in the field of human rights protection, promotion and safeguarding of democratic standards and rule of law. Excellency in the mentioned areas qualifies the CoE as an indispensable partner in the European Union accession process. 24.05.2006. | Press releases

115. Committee of Ministers of the Council of EuropeMr Pjer Šimunovic, Assistant Minister for Multilateral Affairs and International Organizations in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and European integration of the Republic of Croatia, took part in the 115th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe that was held 16–17 November 2005 in Strasbourg.22.11.2005. | Press releases