- Published: 17.05.2019.
FM attends Committee of Ministers session, 70th CoE anniversary
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić attended the 129th session of the Committee of Ministers and the marking of the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe (CoE)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić attended the 129th session of the Committee of Ministers and the marking of the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe (CoE), held under Finland’s chairmanship 16-17 May 2019 in Helsinki.
The ministers discussed current challenges that the Council of Europe is facing and adopted a number of decisions aimed at bolstering the organization’s efficiency as well as the unity of its member states. In her address, Pejčinović Burić underlined Croatia’s commitment to the Council’s fundamental values and principles, calling for the strengthening of Europe’s conventions system based on the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Social Charter.
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Europe’s oldest international organization, a political declaration was adopted highlighting the unique role of CoE in the promotion of the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.
The two-day event saw discussions on the future activities and role of CoE in combating Europe’s social inequalities. The work of the European Court of Human Rights was discussed in a separate meeting with its newly-elected president Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos.
As part of commemorating the 70th CoE anniversary, a document and agreement signing ceremony was held. Ministrica Pejčinović Burić signed on behalf of Croatia the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and the Convention on the Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events. The Fm also deposited instruments on the ratification of the Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs.
The Helsinki meeting marked the end of Finland’s and the beginning of France’s six-month Committee of Ministers chairmanship.