Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland

The fight against corruption, decentralisation, the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups as well as the protection of cultural heritage will be the priorities of Croatia's presidency of the Council of Europe, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Tuesday at a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland.

The main topic of the talks between Plenkovic and Jagland, who is on an official visit to Croatia, was Croatia's presidency of the Council of Europe, scheduled for May 18 - November 21.

Plenkovic said the priorities of Croatia's presidency would be the fight against corruption, decentralisation in the context of strengthening the local self-government units, a more efficient protection of the rights of ethnic minorities and most vulnerable groups, as well as the protection of cultural heritage and cultural routes.

A total of 26 events have been planed to be held during Croatia's CoE presidency. They will be an opportunity to promote the said topics, Croatia and to strengthen common values, notably in the area of human rights.

Plenkovic said Croatia appreciated membership of the Council of Europe and joining this pan-European organisation in 1996 was one of the first major successes of Croatia's foreign policy.

The meeting also addressed the existing challenges in Europe, the current state of affairs and the situation within the Council of Europe, as well as the development of convention law.

Text: Hina

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