Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 17 April 2018 received Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland. Jagland was on an official visit to Croatia ahead of Croatia’s Council of Europe presidency.
Croatia will for the first time chair the Committee of Ministers 18 May-21 November, officially assuming the presidency at the ministerial conference scheduled for 18 May. Pejčinović Burić will assume the duty of the committee’s chairperson and in that capacity represent the Council of Europe.
Pejčinović Burić and Jagland exchanged views on a series of topical issues important for the activities and future of CoE, discussing in particular Croatia’s priorities. Pejčinonović Burić outlined Croatia’s presidency plan, singling out four priority areas: the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, fighting corruption, decentralisation through the strengthening of local government and the protection of cultural heritage.
Jagland expressed satisfaction with the priorities of Croatia’s chairmanship, highlighting our past contribution to CoE efforts in promoting the highest standards of human rights protection, rule of law and democracy in Europe. In that regard, he commended Croatia for the high-level protection of minority rights.