State secretary officially visits Washington

State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić was on an official visit to the United States 5-7 February 2020

State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić was on an official visit to the United States 5-7 February 2020, where she attended a meeting organized by the Department of State that launched the International Religious Freedom Alliance.

The Alliance is an international initiative currently numbering 27 countries, whose aim is to protect members of religious minorities, fight religious discrimination and advocate the freedom of religion or belief.

According to the “Declaration of Principles”, the Alliance advocates freedom of religion or belief for all which includes the right of individuals to hold any belief or none, to change religion or belief and to manifest religion or belief, either alone or in community with others, in worship, observance, practice and teaching, in line with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Declaration lists areas of actions and measures that the Alliance members can take to promote and advocate freedom of religion or belief.

Addressing the meeting, Metelko-Zgombić underscored that Croatia would work closely with the U.S. and like-minded countries to protect and promote religious freedom as one of the cornerstones of human rights.

During the rest of her stay in Washington 6 and 7 February, Metelko-Zgombić met with the think tank of the Center for European Policy Analysis and representatives of the Croatian community. She also attended a reception organized by the Croatian Embassy to the U.S. on Croatia’s EU presidency, which saw representatives of the EU diplomatic corps, representatives of the Croatian community and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Philip T. Reeker. In her keynote address, Metelko-Zgombić presented the priorities of the Croatian presidency.

 

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