Dubrovnik - Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, speaking in Dubrovnik on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of cooperation between northern and southern Mediterranean countries, adding that Croatia wanted to promote stability and peace in the Mediterranean.
Jandroković was speaking at a conference of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), entitled "Building Democratic Security in the Mediterranean: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibility", which marked the end of the parliamentary dimension of the Croatian chairmanship of the Council of Europe.
The conference brought together parliamentarians from Council of Europe member states and the Middle East and North Africa region to discuss different political challenges and challenges to stability in the Mediterranean.
"Unfortunately, in the last few years this region has not generated stability but a lot of security challenges. Without the cooperation of all countries, there will be no peace. This conference offers answers on how to improve the cooperation and define common values and how those with advanced democratic standards can help those that trail behind them," Jandroković said.
He said that peace, stability and security in the Mediterranean region were of key importance for Europe. "We in Croatia are very much open to cooperation and sharing our experience. Based on its recent past, Croatia has gained unique experience relating to the democratic transition. We have shown how within a relatively short period a country can achieve democratic security and join the world's most developed countries," he added.
PACE President Liliane Maury Pasquier said that the Council of Europe had a duty to seek solutions to security and democratic challenges in the Mediterranean region.
The universal values of the rule of law, democracy and human rights are part of our common legacy and our systems of governance are firmly founded on this legacy. We will not take these values for granted, and we are aware that there is no simple democratic model for all countries and all situations. Everyone must find their own way to democracy, but exchange of experience and good practice makes us all stronger to proceed in that direction, Maury Pasquier said.
She praised the Croatian chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, saying that during those six months Croatia had constructively contributed to the work of the Council of Europe and its bodies.
Croatia has been very engaged in helping the Council of Europe to put the focus on the values of the rule of law, democracy and human rights. This conference will strengthen these values, especially in the southern Mediterranean. It is very important for everyone to live in as peaceful, safe and democratic an environment as possible, Maury Pasquier said.