Marija Pejčinović Burić

Marija Pejčinović Burić is a Croatian politician and diplomat who has been serving as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe since 2019, succeeding Thorbjørn Jagland. She is the first woman to hold this position, and her appointment was supported by Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, and many other Council of Europe member states, including Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria. Pejčinović Burić has worked closely with various international organizations, such as the European Union, United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe and beyond, including in countries like Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening cooperation between the Council of Europe and other regional organizations, such as the European Council and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as with individual countries like France, Germany, and Italy.

● Early Life and Education

Marija Pejčinović Burić was born in 1963 in Mostar, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which is now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She studied at the University of Mostar and later at the University of Zagreb, where she earned a degree in comparative literature and English. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in international relations, diplomacy, and European integration, which was influenced by the work of scholars like Joseph Nye and Robert Keohane. Her academic background and language skills, including fluency in English, French, and German, have been essential in her career as a diplomat and politician, particularly in her interactions with leaders from countries like United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal.

● Career

Pejčinović Burić began her career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia in 1991, shortly after the country declared its independence from Yugoslavia. She worked in various positions, including as a counselor at the Croatian Embassy in Germany and as a deputy permanent representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Her experience in international relations and diplomacy has been shaped by her work with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, as well as by her interactions with leaders from countries like China, India, and Brazil. In 2004, she was appointed as the Croatian Ambassador to Missouri and later served as the ambassador to the United States, where she worked closely with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Congress.

● Secretary General of

the Council of Europe In 2019, Marija Pejčinović Burić was elected as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, becoming the first woman to hold this position. Her election was supported by a large majority of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, including representatives from countries like Albania, Andorra, and Armenia. As Secretary General, she has been working to promote the values of the Council of Europe, including human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, in cooperation with other international organizations like the European Court of Human Rights, the Venice Commission, and the European Commission for Democracy through Law. Her leadership has been instrumental in addressing key challenges facing Europe, such as migration, terrorism, and climate change, and in strengthening cooperation between the Council of Europe and other regional organizations, such as the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

● Political Views

Marija Pejčinović Burić has been a strong advocate for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law throughout her career. She has worked to promote these values in Croatia and across Europe, in cooperation with organizations like the European Union, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe. Her political views have been shaped by her experience as a diplomat and politician, as well as by her interactions with leaders from countries like France, Germany, and Italy. She has been a strong supporter of European integration and has worked to strengthen cooperation between the Council of Europe and other regional organizations, including the European Council and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

● Personal Life

Marija Pejčinović Burić is married and has two children. She is fluent in several languages, including English, French, and German, which has been essential in her career as a diplomat and politician. Her personal life has been influenced by her experience living and working in different countries, including Germany, United States, and France. She has been recognized for her contributions to international relations and diplomacy, including her work with organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Pejčinović Burić has also been awarded several honors, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil, for her service to Croatia and her contributions to European integration.