Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, and Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, on Tuesday in Strasbourg stressed the importance of that Pan-European organisation for the democratic and legal order in the European continent.
Plenkovic was in Strasbourg on a visit to the Council of Europe (CoE), the oldest Pan-European organisation that has 47 member countries and focuses on promoting human rights, democracy, and freedom of speech.
In may, Croatia took over the rotating six-month chairmanship of CoE from Denmark, holding the post for the first time since it joined the organisation in 1996.
Plenkovic began his visit in Strasbourg by meeting with the president of CoE’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Liliane Maury-Pasquier, and another meeting with Secretary General Jagland.
After the meeting, Jagland said that he did not agree with critics who say that the Council of Europe’s influence was dwindling.
Just the opposite, the role of the Council of Europe is becoming stronger, Jagland said, and as an example said that the Strasbourg-based European Court for Human Rights (ECHR), established by a Council of Europe convention, is the last refuge for a lot of people whose rights are threatened today, singling out increased number of complaints from Turkey.
“We have set up a legal space from Vladivostok to Lisbon, from the far north to the South Caucasus. That is of particular importance for the European continent,” Jagland said.
VEZANE VIJESTI
Prime Minister Plenkovic said that he agreed with Jagland’s assessment.
“I agree with what the secretary-general said. I think that the Council of Europe, as the oldest European organisation, has an exceptionally important role in multilateral efforts in global governance and makes a huge contribution to political governance in the European continent,” said Plenkovic.
As its priorities during its chairmanship, Croatia set the fight against corruption and organised crime, efficient protection of rights of ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups, strengthening of local government, and the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.
Plenkovic added that over its 22 years as member of the Council of Europe Croatia had benefited in terms of strengthening its legal system.
“I believe that during its 22 years of membership in the Council of Europe Croatia has benefited from the organisation’s convention system. We respect and uphold judgements of the European Court for Human Rights, and it helped us strengthen our own legal system,” Plenkovic said.
Later on Tuesday, Plenkovic is expected to meet with other officials from CoE’s bodies, including the President of the Venice Commission, Gianni Buquicchio, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRA), Gudrun Mosler-Tornstrom, and the President of the European Court for Human Rights, Guido Raimondi.
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