Published: 18.05.2018.

Croatia takes over CoE chairmanship

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 17 and 18 May 2018 in Helsingor attended a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, at which she took over the chairmanship from her Danish counterpart Anders Samuelsen

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 17 and 18 May 2018 in Helsingør attended a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, at which she took over the chairmanship from her Danish counterpart Anders Samuelsen.

In her address, Pejčinović Burić said that Croatia’s priorities would be the fight against corruption, protection of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, decentralisation in the context of strengthening local government, and conservation of cultural heritage and culture routes. She also presented the plan of activities, underscoring that Croatia planned 28 events during its chairmanship, mostly from the area of protection and promotion of human rights, 18 of which are to be held in Croatia.

The regular 128th meeting of the CoE Committee of Ministers was opened by Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who addressed the main challenges that the CoE is faced with. The meeting was attended by foreign ministers of the 47 CoE member states.

Pejčinović Burić also attended an informal meeting organized by Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide on the topic of the Court of Justice as well as an informal part on the future of CoE and the lack of public trust in European institutions.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Pejčinović Burić held bilateral talks with foreign ministers of Denmark, Lichtenstein, Moldova and Ukraine.

The Helsingør meeting of the CoE Committee of Ministers marked the end of Denmark’s chairmanship. For the next six months, the organization will be chaired by Croatia, after which Finland will take over.

Statement by Pejčinović Burić: