State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić participated on Wednesday in the 130th session of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The meeting focused on the importance of multilateral cooperation in responding to the challenges of joint security with a full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Addressing the event, Matušić extended condolences to Greece and Turkey over the earthquake as well as to France and Austria over the terrorist attacks. The state secretary underscored the importance of the Council of Europe and multilateral cooperation in these times of crisis. He also underlined the need for further modernization of the organization with the aim of efficiently responding to the present and future challenges. Following the Annual Report by CoE Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić on the state of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe, Matušić highlighted as priority areas the social rights of citizens, fighting violence against women, hate speech and discrimination, improving the rights of children and youth, sport integrity and security measures, as well as combating corruption.
In light of the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, the state secretary emphasized that the security of all the citizens of the CoE legal space required a full respect of the Convention and the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights. He also underlined the importance of ensuring the access of CoE supervisory bodies to all member states, including areas outside of state control, while respecting their sovereignty and territorial unity.
Concluding the address, Matušić thanked the Greek presidency for organizing this session, expressing support for the Athens Declaration, stressing the importance of reconfirming the CoE member states’ commitment to European unity and solidarity as well as to the common values and principles outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights.