State Secretary Božinović supported the reform of the European Court of Human Rights with the goal of preserving the unique protection that the convention system ensures for millions of Europeans. In the context of the general reform of the Council of Europe which aims at strengthening the political significance of this Organisation within the contemporary European architecture, he supported strengthening the Council’s activities concerning setting standards and illustrated it with the current example of creating a new legal instrument for fighting and preventing violence against women and family violence, in which the Republic of Croatia has the leading role. In the light of old and new threats to security and human rights, he appealed for a stronger commitment to common European values which are of interest to each individual whose well–being is the focus of this organisation.

Speaking of joint programmes of the Council of Europe and the European Union, State Secretary Božinović stressed the importance of Euro integration processes for countries of south–eastern Europe and reminded of the role and contribution which Republic of Croatia gives to the countries of this region.

Mentioning the role of the Council of Europe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was discussed in the informal part of the meeting, he emphasized the importance of politic will, dialogue and compromise of all the participants in the process, as well as equality of all constitutive nations and minorities as basic preconditions for progress and European future of this country.

At the session, ministers gave guidelines for the implementation of conclusions brought at the Conference on the future of the European Court of Human Rights, and mentioned the role of the Council of Europe in the context of conflicts in Georgia. They also welcomed the reform process of the Council of Europe, as well as strengthening of relations between the Council of Europe and the European Union. During the session, Switzerland passed its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Macedonia.

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