Secretary Generals: Looking back at Marija Pejčinović Burić’s legacy and welcoming Alain Berset

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Secretary Generals: Looking back at Marija Pejčinović Burić's legacy and welcoming Alain Berset

As the Council of Europe enters a new chapter with a new Secretary General Alain Berset, we look back at the achievements of Marija Pejčinović Burić's mandate and welcome Alain Berset in his new post. From steering the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to her decisive stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Pejčinović Burić's leadership was marked by a strong sense of purpose, integrity, humanity and commitment to the values of the Council of Europe. She was also a strong advocate for the strategic partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Union.

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This month, a significant leadership transition took place in the Council of Europe as Marija Pejčinović Burić's term as Secretary General ended on 17 September 2024. Pejčinović Burić, from Croatia, began her mandate on 18 September 2019, making history as the first woman from the Western Balkans and the second woman ever to hold this position.

COVID-19 pandemic reaction

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the early tests of her leadership. Pejčinović Burić guided the Council of Europe through the crisis by introducing a comprehensive "Toolkit"to help Member States navigate the unprecedented situation while upholding human rights. This initiative ensured that the organisation's values remained intact despite the extraordinary circumstances posed by the global health emergency.

Firm leadership amid Russia's aggression

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a key moment in her tenure. Marija Pejčinović Burić swiftly condemned the aggression. On 16 March 2022, during an extraordinary meeting, the Committee of Ministers decided, under Article 8 of the Council of Europe's Statute, that the Russian Federation would cease to be a member of the Council of Europe, ending 26 years of membership. To further support Ukraine, the Council of Europe adopted a new action plan focused on resilience, recovery, and reconstruction. Marija Pejčinović Burićfirm stance on Russia's expulsiondemonstrated her refusal to allow any erosion of the Council of Europe's values.

Strengthening the EU cooperation

Concerning the cooperation between the European Union and the Council of Europe, she was convinced of the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership which is based on three pillars (political dialogue, legal cooperation, and cooperation projects). Several important commitments have been made in this context, including the EU's accession to the Istanbul Convention and its participation in the Register of Damage caused by the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine. Marija Pejčinović Burić also supported the EU's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, which, according to her, could now be within reach.

A historic Summit and its outcomes

Under her direction, the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Governmentin Reykjavíktook place in May 2023, the first summit in 18 years. This summit produced significant outcomes, including the creation of the Register of Damage, the largest reparations program in history, to track the harm caused by the war. In July 2024, the EU joined this register as a fully-fledged participant. Additionally, at the Reykjavík summit, Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe recognised that the EU is the main institutional partner of the Council of Europe in political, legal, and financial terms.

Artificial intelligence and human rights

Another notable achievement during her mandate was the development of the first international legally binding Convention on Artificial Intelligence(AI), marking a historic step in providing a legal framework covering the entire lifecycle of AI systems. It promotes AI progress and innovation, while managing the risks it may pose to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.On 5 September 2024, the Commission Vice President, Vera Jourova, signed this Convention on behalf of the EU.

The end of a chapter, the beginning of another

Throughout hermandate, she was widely recognised for her unwavering commitment to the core values of the Council of Europe. In addition to her policy achievements, Pejčinović Burić was known for her personal qualities. Her strength, kindness and humanity were evident in her work.Marija Pejčinović Burić's legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Council of Europe. Through her dedication to its values and her pioneering initiatives, she has ensured that her contributions will be remembered long after her term comes to an end.

On 18 September 2024, Alain Berset stepped into the role of Secretary General of the Council of Europe. His main priority will be to continue the support for Ukraine, with a particular focus on accountability for the war crimes and human rights violations. He also pledged to foster the values of the Council of Europe, and further strengthen the organisation's capacity to address emerging global challenges and enhance the organisation's visibility on the international stage. Strengthening the cooperation between the EU and the Council of Europe will also be one of his priorities. We look forward to working with him in the future.

To learn more about Marija Pejčinović Burić, please have a look at ourcampaign "75 Women in 75 Years of Council of Europe History":https://europa.eu/!yJ7Khy