State Secretary Andreja Metelko-Zgombić participated on 14 May 2025 in the 134th meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, held in Luxembourg. This year’s ministerial meeting was again held in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as numerous security challenges across Europe.
In light of the political and security situation in Europe, and the political, legal, and humanitarian consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the member states reaffirmed their unity within the Council of Europe and their commitment to the shared values of peace, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Iryna Mudra, officially delivered a letter from Ukraine to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, requesting the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
In her address, State Secretary Metelko-Zgombić emphasized that the Republic of Croatia has supported and assisted Ukraine in various ways since the beginning of the aggression. She reiterated Croatia’s full support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression against Ukraine, as well as for the Compensation Claims Assessment Commission and the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine. The state secretary also underscored the importance of a strong and effective Council of Europe, reaffirming Croatia’s dedication to the Organization’s core values. In the context of building a stronger Europe, she welcomed the secretary general’s initiative to develop a New Democratic Pact for Europe. Additionally, she stressed the importance of continuously promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the Western Balkan countries, supporting their European perspective, and expressed Croatia’s full support for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Malta took over the six-month chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers from Luxembourg.
On the margins of the ministerial session, State Secretary Metelko-Zgombić held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Andorra, Imma Tor Faus. They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, Andorra’s European path, and Croatia’s experiences in that regard. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and expressed readiness to further strengthen bilateral relations.
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