Council of Europe 5865 223756045 2008-07-05T17:12:32Z DrFrench 2364672 copyedit {{for|institutions of the European Union|Council of the European Union|European Council}} {{Infobox Geopolitical organisation |name = Council of Europe<br>Conseil de l'Europe |linking_name = the Council of Europe |image_flag = Flag of Europe.svg |symbol_type = Logo |image_symbol = Council of Europe logo.svg |anthem = ''[[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)#Fourth movement|Ode to Joy]]''&nbsp;(orchestral) |image_map = Council of Europe map.png |map_caption = <div style="font-size:114%; text-align:left; padding-left:1em;">{{legend|#008000|ten founding members}}{{legend|#00ff00|joined subsequently}}{{legend|#ffff00|observer at the Parliamentary Assembly}}{{legend|#ffc000|observer at the Committee of Ministers}} {{legend|#ff0000|official candidate}}</div> |membership = 47 [[Europe]]an states<br/>5 observers (Council)<br/>3 observers (Assembly) |admin_center_type = Seat |admin_center = [[Strasbourg]], [[France]] |languages_type = |languages = |leader_title1 = [[Secretary General of the Council of Europe|Secretary General]] |leader_name1 = [[Terry Davis (politician)|Terry Davis]] |leader_title2 = Deputy Secretary General |leader_name2 = Maud de Boer-Buquicchio |leader_title3 = President of the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe|Parliamentary Assembly]] |leader_name3 = Lluis Maria de Puig |leader_title4 = President of the [[Committee of Ministers]] |leader_name4 = The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the state chairing the [[Committee of Ministers]] |established_event1 = [[Treaty of London (1949)|Treaty of London]] |established_date1 = [[1949-05-05]] |official_website = http://www.coe.int/ }} The '''Council of Europe''' ({{lang-fr|Conseil de l'Europe}}), founded in 1949, is the oldest organisation working for [[European integration]] with a particular emphasis on legal standards and protection of [[human rights]], democratic development and the rule of law and cultural co-operation in Europe. The Council of Europe will celebrate its 60th anniversary on [[5 May]] [[2009]]. It is an [[international organisation]] with legal personality recognised under [[public international law]] that serves 800 million Europeans in 47 member states. At the heart of the Council of Europe lies the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and the [[European Court of Human Rights]] through which the convention is enforced. It is to this court that Europeans can bring cases if they believe that a member country has violated their fundamental rights. The Council of Europe's work has resulted in standards, charters and conventions to facilitate cooperation between European countries and further integration. The seat of the Council of Europe is in [[Strasbourg]], [[France]]. First meetings were held in Strasbourg's [[University of Strasbourg|University]] Palace in 1949, but the Council of Europe moved soon into its own buildings. Besides its headquarters in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe is also present in other cities and countries. The Council of Europe Development Bank has its seat in [[Paris]], the [[North-South Centre]] of the Council of Europe is established in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]], and the Centre for Modern Languages is in [[Graz]], [[Austria]]. There are European Youth Centres in [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] and [[Strasbourg]]. The new European Resource Centre on education for intercultural dialogue, human rights and democratic citizenship will be set up in [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] in autumn 2008. The Council of Europe maintains offices in [[Paris]] and [[Brussels]] as well as in the capitals of several other member states. [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]] are its two [[official language]]s. Its two statutory bodies, the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, also work in [[German language|German]], [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Russian language|Russian]]. ==History== In 1945, at the end of the second World War, Europe was marked by unprecedented devastation and human suffering. It faced new political challenges, in particular reconciliation among the peoples of Europe. This situation favoured the long held idea of [[European integration]] through the creation of common institutions. In his famous speech at the University of Zurich in 1946, Sir [[Winston Churchill]] called for a [[United States of Europe]] and the creation of a Council of Europe. The future structure of the Council of Europe was discussed at a specific congress of several hundred leading politicians, government representatives and civil society in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]] in 1948. There were two schools of thought competing: some favoured a classical international organisation with representatives of governments, while others preferred a political forum with parliamentarians. Both approaches were finally combined through the creation of the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly under the Statute of the Council of Europe. This dual intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary structure was later copied for the [[European Communities]], [[NATO]] and the [[OSCE]]. The Council of Europe was founded on [[5 May]] [[1949]] by the [[Treaty of London (1949)|Treaty of London]]. The Treaty of London or the Statute of the Council of Europe was signed in London on that day by ten states: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Many states followed, especially after the democratic transitions in central and eastern Europe during the early 1990s, and the Council of Europe now integrates nearly all states of Europe. ==Aims and achievements== Article 1(a) of the Statute states that "''The aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress.''" Therefore, membership is open to all European states which seek [[European integration]], accept the principle of the [[rule of law]] and are able and willing to guarantee [[democracy]], fundamental [[human rights]] and [[Freedom (political)|freedoms]]. While the member states of the [[European Union]] transfer national legislative and executive powers to the [[European Commission]] and the [[European Parliament]] in specific areas under [[European Community law]], Council of Europe member states maintain their sovereignty but commit themselves through conventions (i.e. [[public international law]]) and co-operate on the basis of common values and common political decisions. Those conventions and decisions are developed by the member states working together at the Council of Europe, whereas secondary European Community law is set by the organs of the European Union. Both organisations function as concentric circles around the common foundations for [[European integration]], with the Council of Europe being the geographically wider circle. The European Union could be seen as the smaller circle with a much higher level of integration through the transfer of powers from the national to the EU level. Being part of public international law, Council of Europe conventions could also be opened for signature to non-member states thus facilitating equal co-operation with countries outside Europe (see chapter below). [[Image:European Court of Human Rights.jpg|thumb|[[European Court of Human Rights]]' building in [[Strasbourg]], [[France]] (Architect [[Richard Rogers]])]] The Council of Europe's most important achievement is the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], which was adopted in 1950 following a report by the Council's Assembly. The Convention created the [[European Court of Human Rights]] in Strasbourg. The Court supervises compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and thus functions as the highest European court for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The wide activities and achievements of the Council of Europe can be found in detail on its official website. In a nutshell, the Council of Europe works in the following areas: * Protection of the [[rule of law]] and fostering legal co-operation through some 200 conventions and other treaties, including such leading instruments as the [[Convention on Cybercrime]], the [[Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism|Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism]], the [[Conventions against Corruption and Organised Crime]], and the [[Convention on Human Rights and Biomedecine]]<ref>http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=164&CM=8&DF=9/4/2007&CL=ENG</ref>. * [[CODEXTER]], designed to co-ordinate counter-terrorism measures * [[The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)]] * Protection of [[human rights]], notably through: ** the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] ** the [[European Committee for the Prevention of Torture]] ** the [[Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings]]<ref>http://www.coe.int/t/dg2/trafficking/campaign/Source/PDF_Conv_197_Trafficking_E.pdf</ref> ** the [[Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse]]<ref>http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=201&CM=8&DF=10/25/2007&CL=ENG</ref> ** social rights under the [[European Social Charter]] ** linguistic rights under the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] ** minority rights under the [[Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities]] ** [[Freedom of the press|Media freedom]] under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Convention on Transfrontier Television * Protection of [[democracy]] through parliamentary scrutiny and election monitoring by its Parliamentary Assembly as well as assistance in democratic reforms, in particular by the [[Venice Commission]]. * Promotion of cultural co-operation and diversity under the Council of Europe's Cultural Convention of 1954 and several conventions on the protection of cultural heritage as well as through its Centre for Modern Languages in [[Graz]], [[Austria]] and its [[North-South Centre]] in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]. * Promotion of the right to education under Article 2 of the first Protocol to the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and several conventions on the recognition of university studies and diplomas (see also [[Bologna Process]] and [[Lisbon Recognition Convention]]). * Promotion of fair sport through the [[Anti-Doping Convention]]<ref>http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=135&CM=7&DF=5/21/2008&CL=ENG</ref> and the [[Convention against Spectator Violence]]<ref>http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=135&CM=8&CL=ENG</ref>. * Promotion of European youth exchanges and co-operation through European Youth Centres in [[Strasbourg]] and [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]]. * Promotion of the quality of medicines throughout Europe by the [[European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines]] and its [[European Pharmacopoeia]]. ==Institutions== [[Image:Raadvaneuropa.jpg|thumb|The parliamentary hemicycle]] The institutions of the Council of Europe are: * The [[Secretary General of the Council of Europe|Secretary General]], who is elected for a term of five years by the [[Parliamentary Assembly]] and heads the Secretariat of the Council of Europe. Since 2004, [[Terry Davis (politician)|Terry Davis]] from the United Kingdom is Secretary General. * The [[Council of Europe Committee of Ministers|Committee of Ministers]], comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of all 47 member states who are represented by their Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors accredited to the Council of Europe. Committee of Ministers' presidencies are held in alphabetical order for six months following the English alphabet (Slovenia and Sweden changed their places due to the fact that Slovenia held the EU Presidency in 2008): [[Sweden]] 05/2008-11/2008, [[Spain]] 11/2008-05/2009, [[Slovenia]] 05/2009-11/2009, [[Switzerland]] 11/2009-05/2010, etc. * The [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe|Parliamentary Assembly]] (PACE), which comprises national parliamentarians from all member states and elects its President for a year with the possibility of being re-elected for another year. In January 2008, Lluis Maria de Puig from [[Spain]] was elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly. National parliamentary delegations to the Assembly must reflect the political specturm of their national parliament, i.e. comprise government and opposition parties. The Assembly appoints members as rapporteurs with the mandate to prepare parliamentary reports on specific subjects. The British MP [[Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe]] was rapporteur for the drafting of the [[European Convention on Human Rights]]. [[Dick Marty]]'s reports on secret [[CIA]] detentions and rendition flights in Europe became quite famous in 2007. Other Assembly rapporteurs were instrumental in, for example, the abolition of the death penalty in Europe, the political and human rights situation in [[Chechnya]], disappeared persons in [[Belarus]], freedom of expression in the media and many other subjects. * The [[Congress of the Council of Europe]] (Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe), which was created in 1994 and comprises political representatives from local and regional authorities in all member states. The most influential instruments of the Council of Europe in this field are the [[European Charter of Local Self-Government]] of 1985 and the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities of 1980. * The [[European Court of Human Rights]], created under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] of 1950, is composed of a judge from each member state elected for a renewable term of six years by the [[Parliamentary Assembly]] and is headed by the elected President of the Court. Since 2007, Jean-Paul Costa from France is the President of the Court. Under the new Protocol No. 14 to the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], the terms of office of judges shall be nine years but non-renewable. All member states except [[Russia]] have signed and ratified Protocol No. 14. * The [[Commissioner for Human Rights]], who is elected by the [[Parliamentary Assembly]] for a non-renewable term of six years since the creation of this position in 1999. This position is held since 2006 by [[Thomas Hammarberg]] from Sweden. * Information Offices of the Council of Europe in many member states. [[Image:EU-FR-AL-67@Strasbourg-Pharmacopée européenne 01.jpg|thumb|[[European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines]].]] The CoE system also includes a number of semi-autonomous structures known as "partial agreements", some of which are also open to non-member states: * The Council of Europe Development Bank in [[Paris]] * The [[European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines]] * The [[European Audiovisual Observatory]] * The European Support Fund ''[[Eurimages]]'' for the co-production and distribution of films * The [[Pompidou Group]] - Cooperation Group to Combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Drugs * The European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the [[Venice Commission]] * The [[Group of States Against Corruption]] (GRECO) * The European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA) which is a platform for co-operation between European and Southern Mediterranean countries in the field of major natural and technological disasters. * The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, which is open to accession by states and sport associations. <ref>{{cite web|title = Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport |publisher=Council of Europe|url=http://www.coe.int/t/DG4/EPAS/default_en.asp}} </ref> * The [[North-South Centre]] of the Council of Europe in [[Lisbon]] (Portugal) * The Centre for Modern Languages is in [[Graz]] (Austria) ==Strasbourg headquarters== {{See also|European Institutions in Strasbourg}} [[Image:Council of Europe Palais de l'Europe aerial view.JPG|thumb|Aerial shot of the [[Palace of Europe|Palais de l'Europe]] in Strasbourg]] The Council of Europe's seven main buildings are situated in the ''Quartier européen'', an area in the north-west of Strasbourg spread over the three districts Le Wacken, La Robertsau and Quartier de l'Orangerie, that also features the four buildings of the [[seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg]], the [[Arte]] headquarters and the seat of the [[International Institute of Human Rights]]. Building in the area started in 1949 with the predecessor of the Palais de l'Europe, the House of Europe (torn down in 1977) and came to a provisional end in 2007 with the opening of the New General Office Building in 2008.<ref>[http://www.coe.int/t/DC/Press/Source/PressFile_%20AGORA_fr.pdf Inauguration of the Agora Building]</ref> The Palais de l'Europe as well as the [[Art Nouveau]] Villa Schutzenberger (seat of the [[European Audiovisual Observatory]]), are located in the Orangerie district, the [[European Court of Human Rights]], the [[European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines]] and the Agora Building are situated in the Robertsau district. The Agora building has been voted "best international business center real estate project of 2007" on March 13, 2008, at the [[MIPIM]] 2008.<ref>[http://www.mipim.com/App/homepage.cfm?appname=100517&moduleid=288&campaignid=11888&iUserCampaignID=43827991 2008 List of MIPIM winners]</ref> ==Field and information offices== The Council of Europe has offices in [[Albania]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Moldova]], [[Montenegro]], [[Serbia]], [[Kosovo]], [[Ukraine]] and information offices in [[Albania]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Estonia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Hungary]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Moldova]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], [[Russian Federation]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], "[[The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]]", and [[Ukraine]]. There is also a "Council of Europe Project Office" in [[Ankara]], [[Turkey]] since 2004 which implements joint projects of the Council of Europe and the [[European Union]] in co-operation with the Turkish government. ==Symbols== {{main|European symbols|Flag of Europe}} [[Image:European flag in the wind.jpg|thumb|The [[Flag of Europe]]]] The Council of Europe created and uses as its official symbols the famous [[European Flag]] with 12 golden stars arranged in a circle on a blue background since 1955, and the European [[anthem]] based on the [[Ode to Joy]] in the final movement of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]'s [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth symphony]] since 1972. On [[1964-05-05]] - the 25th anniversary of its founding, the Council of Europe established [[5 May]] as [[Europe Day]].<ref name="symbols">{{cite web|title =Flag, anthem and logo: the Council of Europe's symbols|publisher=Council of Europe|url=http://www.coe.int/T/E/Com/About_Coe/emblems/emblemes.asp|accessdate = 2007-09-21}}</ref> Although protected by copyright, the wide private and public use of the European Flag is encouraged to symbolise a European dimension. To avoid confusion with the [[European Union]] which subsequently adopted the same flag in the 1980s, as well as other European institutions, the Council of Europe often uses a modified version with a lower-case 'e' in the centre of the stars which is referred to as the "Council of Europe Logo".<ref>{{cite web|title =Logo of the Council of Europe|publisher=Council of Europe|url=http://www.coe.int/02/Logo/Pictures/LogoCoE/LogoCoe.jpg|accessdate = 2007-09-21}}</ref><ref name="symbols"/> ==Membership== [[Image:Council of Europe.png|250px|thumb|right|members states of the Council of Europe]] The Council of Europe has 47 member states in the [[Europe]]an region (with [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Armenia]] and [[Turkey]] also extending into [[West Asia|Western Asia]] and [[Russia]] into [[North Asia]]). With the exception of [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kosovo]] and the [[Vatican_City|Holy See]], all [[European states]] have acceded to the Council of Europe. Upon foundation on [[1949-05-05]] there were ten members: {{col-begin}} {{col-4}} {{flagcountry|Belgium}}<br/>{{flagcountry|Republic of Ireland}}<br/>{{flagcountry|Netherlands}}<br/>{{flagcountry|United Kingdom}} {{col-4}} {{flagcountry|Denmark}}<br/>{{flagcountry|Italy}}<br/>{{flagcountry|Norway}} {{col-4}} {{flagcountry|France}}<br/>{{flagcountry|Luxembourg}}<br/>{{flagcountry|Sweden}} {{col-4}} {{col-end}} Subsequent members by date of admission: {| style="background:transparent;" {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {| style="background:transparent; text-align:left;" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0" |style="text-align:left;"| {{flagcountry|Greece}}<sup>a</sup> ||style="font-size:95%;"| [[1949-08-09]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Turkey}}<sup>a</sup> ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1949-08-09]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Iceland}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1950-03-07]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Germany}}<sup>b</sup> ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1950-07-13]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Austria}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1956-04-16]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Cyprus}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1961-05-24]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Switzerland}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1963-05-06]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Malta}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1965-04-29]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Portugal}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1976-09-22]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Spain}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1977-11-24]] |- |align="left" style="padding-right:30px;"| {{flagcountry|Liechtenstein}} ||style="font-size:95%;padding-right:100px;"|[[1978-11-23]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|San Marino}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1988-11-16]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Finland}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1989-05-05]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Hungary}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1990-11-06]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Poland}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1991-11-26]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Bulgaria}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1992-05-07]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Estonia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1993-05-14]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Lithuania}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1993-05-14]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Slovenia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1993-05-14]] |} {{col-2}} {| style="background:transparent; text-align:left;" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0" |style="text-align:left;"| {{flagcountry|Czech Republic}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1993-06-30]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Slovakia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1993-06-30]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Romania}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1993-10-07]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Andorra}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1994-11-10]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Latvia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1995-02-10]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Albania}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1995-07-13]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Moldova}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1995-07-13]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|FYR Macedonia|name=The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia}}<sup>c</sup> ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1995-11-09]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Ukraine}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1995-11-09]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Russia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1996-02-28]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Croatia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1996-11-06]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Georgia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[1999-04-27]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Armenia}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[2001-01-25]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[2001-01-25]] |- |align="left" style="padding-right:30px;"| {{flagcountry|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[2002-04-24]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Serbia}}<sup>d</sup> ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[2003-04-03]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Monaco}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[2004-10-05]] |- |align="left"| {{flagcountry|Montenegro}} ||style="font-size:95%;"|[[2007-05-11]] |} {{col-end}} |- |colspan="2" style="font-size:90%;"| <sup>a</sup>Also considered as a founder of the organization.<br/> <sup>b</sup>In 1950, the [[Federal Republic of Germany]] (West Germany), est. 23 May 1949, and then French-occupied [[Saar (protectorate)]] became associate members. (West) Germany became a full member in 1951, while the Saarland withdrew from its associate membership in 1956 after acceding to the Federal Republic after a referendum in 1955. The Soviet-occupied eastern part of Germany and later East [[German Democratic Republic]] never became a member of the Council of Europe. Through [[German reunification]] in 1990, the five ''Länder'' (i.e. states/regions) of East Germany acceeded to the Federal Republic of Germany and thus gained representation in the Council of Europe.<br/> <sup>c</sup> Joined under the [[Macedonia naming dispute|provisional reference]] "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (including quotation marks).<ref>{{cite web|title =Statute of the Council of Europe|date=[[1949-05-05]]|publisher=Council of Europe|url=http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/001.htm|accessdate = 2007-09-21}}</ref> [[Turkey]] recognises the country with its constitutional name.<br/> <sup>d</sup> Originally joined as [[Serbia and Montenegro]]. |} Following its declaration of independence on [[3 June]] [[2006]], [[Montenegro]] submitted a request to accede to the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers transmitted the request to the [[Parliamentary Assembly]] for opinion, in accordance with the usual procedure.<ref>{{cite web|title =Request by the Republic of Montenegro for accession to the Council of Europe|date=[[1949-06-14]]|publisher=Council of Europe|url=https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1010157|accessdate = 2007-09-21}}</ref> Eleven days later, on [[14 June]] [[2006]], the Committee of Ministers declared that the [[Republic of Serbia]] would continue the membership of the [[State Union of Serbia and Montenegro]].<ref>{{cite web|title =Continuation by the Republic of Serbia of membership of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in the Council of Europe|date=[[2006-06-14]]|publisher=Council of Europe|url=https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1010125|accessdate = 2007-09-21}}</ref> On 11 May 2007, [[Montenegro]] joined the Council of Europe as 47th member state. [[Image:Hyesseurope.gif|thumb|This coin was issued in Armenia to commemorate Armenia's accession to the Council in 2001]] ===Applicants=== The Parliament of [[Belarus]] held special guest status with the Parliamentary Assembly from September 1992 to January 1997, but this has been suspended as a consequence of the November 1996 constitutional referendum and parliament by-elections which the CoE found to be undemocratic, as well as limits on democratic freedoms such as [[freedom of expression]] (cf. [[Belarusian media]]) under the authoritarian regime of President [[Alexander Lukashenko]]. The constitution changed by the referendum "does not respect minimum democratic standards and violates the principles of separation of powers and the rule of law.<ref>{{cite web|title =Belarus : a referendum under a 'hardening dictatorial regime'|date=2004|publisher=Council of Europe|url=http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/APFeaturesManager/defaultArtSiteView.asp?ArtId=362|accessdate = 2007-09-21}}</ref> Belarus applied for full membership on [[1993-03-12]] (still open). [[Kazakhstan]] applied for the Special Guest status with the [[Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly|Parliamentary Assembly]] in 1999. The Assembly found that Kazakhstan could apply for full membership, because it is partially located in Europe, but granting Special Guest status would require improvements in the fields of [[democracy]] and [[human rights]]. Kazakhstan signed a co-operation agreement with the Assembly. ===Observers=== [[Canada]], [[Japan]], [[Mexico]], the [[United States|U.S.]] and the [[Vatican City|Holy See]] have observer status with the Council of Europe and can participate in the Committee of Ministers and all intergovernmantal committees. They may contribute financially to the activities of the Council of Europe on a voluntary basis. The parliaments of [[Canada]], [[Israel]] and [[Mexico]] have observer status with the Parliamentary Assembly and their delegations can participate in Assembly sessions and committee meetings. Representatives of the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]] may participate in Assembly debates concerning the Middle East as well as Turkish representatives from northern [[Cyprus]] concerning this island. There has been criticism concerning the observer status of Japan and the USA because both countries apply the death penalty, which is prohibited under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]]. <ref>{{cite web|title =Europarådet kan frånta USA observatörsstatus|date=2004|publisher=Yelah|url=http://www.yelah.net/articles/20020226183029|accessdate = 2008-02-22}}</ref> ==Co-operation== ===Non-Member States=== The Council of Europe works mainly through conventions. By drafting conventions or international treaties, common legal standards are set for its member states. However, several conventions have also been opened for signature to non-member states. Important examples are the [[Convention on Cybercrime]] (signed e.g. by [[Canada]], [[Japan]], the [[Republic of South Africa]] and the [[USA]]), the [[Lisbon Recognition Convention]] on the recognition of study periods and degrees (signed e.g. by [[Australia]], [[Belarus]], [[Canada]], the [[Vatican City|Holy See]], [[Israel]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] and the [[USA]]), the Anti-[[Doping (sport)|doping]] Convention (signed e.g. by [[Australia]], [[Belarus]], [[Canada]] and [[Tunisia]]) and the [[Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats]] (signed e.g. by [[Burkina Faso]], [[Morocco]], [[Tunisia]] and [[Senegal]] as well as the [[European Community]]). Non-member states also participate in several partial agreements, such as the [[Venice Commission]], the [[Group of States Against Corruption]] GRECO and the [[European Pharmacopoeia]]. ===European Union=== ====Relations in general between the CoE and the EU==== As mentioned in the introduction, it is important to realise that the Council of Europe is not to be mistaken with the [[Council of the European Union]] or the [[European Council]]. These belong to the [[European Union]], which is separate from the Council of Europe, although they have shared the same European flag and anthem since the 1980s because they also work for [[European integration]]. Cooperation between the [[European Union]] and the Council of Europe has recently been reinforced, notably on culture and education as well as on the international enforcement of justice and Human Rights.<ref>{{cite web|title = The Council of Europe and the European Union sign an agreement to foster mutual cooperation|date=[[2007-05-23]]|url=https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=PR331(2007)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&BackColorInternet=F5CA75&BackColorIntranet=F5CA75&BackColorLogged=A9BACE&ShowBanner=no&Target=_self|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|accessdate = 2007-06-12 }}</ref> The European Union is expected to accede to the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] (the Convention). At their Warsaw Summit in 2005, the Heads of State and Government of all Council of Europe member states reiterated their desire for the EU to accede without delay to ensure consistent human rights protection across Europe. There are also concerns about consistency in case law - the [[European Court of Justice]] (the EU's court in [[Luxembourg]]) is treating the Convention as part of the legal system of all EU member states in order to prevent conflict between its judgements and those of the [[European Court of Human Rights]] (the court in [[Strasbourg]] interpreting the Convention). Protocol No.14 of the Convention is designed to allow the EU to accede to it and the EU [[Reform Treaty]] contains a protocol binding the EU to join. The EU would thus be subject to its human rights law and external monitoring as its member states currently are. It is further proposed that the EU join as a member of the Council of Europe once it has attained its legal personality in the Reform Treaty, possibly in 2010.<ref name="Juncker Council">{{cite web|last=Juncker|first=Jean-Claude|authorlink=Jean-Claude Juncker|title =Council of Europe - European Union: "A sole ambition for the European continent"|date=2006|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|url=http://assembly.coe.int/Sessions/2006/speeches/20060411_report_JCJuncker_EN.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate = 2007-07-28 }}</ref><ref name="Reform Draft">{{cite web|title =Draft treaty modifying the treaty on the European Union and the treaty establishing the European community|date=[[2007-07-24]]|publisher=[[Open Europe]]|url=http://www.openeurope.org.uk/research/translation.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate = 2007-07-28 }}</ref> ====Joint Programmes between the CoE and the EU==== The Council of Europe and the European Union are based on the same values and pursue common aims with regard to the protection of democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. These common aims have led the Council of Europe and the European Union to develop a very tight network of relations and cooperation links (participation of the European Commission to meet Council of Europe activities, accession of European Union to Council of Europe Conventions, etc.). One significant instrument of this cooperation is the conclusion since 1993 of a number of joint programmes, for essentially cooperation with countries which have joined the Council of Europe since 1989. The same countries have developed increasingly close links with the European Union, or have applied for membership. By combining forces in this way, the complementarity of respective activities of the European Commission and the Council of Europe has been enhanced. In April 2001 an important step was taken through the signature by the European Commission and the Council of Europe of a Joint Declaration on Cooperation and Partnership, which, among other things, offers more systematic means of joint programming and priority-setting.<ref name="CoE/EC Joint Programmes">{{cite web|title =Joint Programmes between the CoE and the EU|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|url=http://jp.coe.int/}}</ref> =====Country-specific and thematic Joint Programmes===== Most joint programmes are country-specific. They cover [[Albania]] (since 1993), [[Ukraine]] (since 1995), the [[Russian Federation]] (since 1996), [[Moldova]] (since 1997), the three Caucasian Countries - [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] & [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] (since January 1999), [[Serbia]] and [[Montenegro]] (since 2001), [[Turkey]] (since 2001), [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (since 2003) and also "[[the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]]". Other Joint Programmes, for instance for the Baltic States ([[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]]) have also been implemented in the past. There have also been multilateral thematic joint programmes, open to Central and Eastern European countries, regarding, for instance, national minorities, the fight against organised crime and corruption, and the development of independent and multidisciplinary ethics committees for review of biomedical research. There have been other multilateral joint programmes, for awareness-raising on the abolition of the death penalty, the preparation of the European conference to fight against racism and intolerance, action to promote the European Social Charter and a programme to strengthen democracy and constitutional development in central and eastern Europe with the Council of Europe's [[Venice Commission]].<ref name="CoE/EC Joint Programmes">{{cite web|title =Joint Programmes between the CoE and the EU|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|url=http://jp.coe.int/}}</ref> =====Activities===== The Joint Programmes consist of a series of activities agreed between the [[European Commission]] and the Council of Europe, in consultation with the governments of the concerned countries, designed to facilitate and support legal and institutional reform. Training courses, expert reports and advice to governments, conferences, workshops, seminars and publication dissemination are all usual working methods. The emphasis has been on training and advice but in some cases Joint Programmes have even offered limited material support (for instance with the establishment of the Albanian School of Magistrates and the State Publications Centre).<ref name="CoE/EC Joint Programmes">{{cite web|title =Joint Programmes between the CoE and the EU|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|url=http://jp.coe.int/}}</ref> =====Programming and funding===== The Directorate General for External Relations of the European Commission and the Council of Europe's Directorate of Strategic Planning (as well as other services as applicable) set and match priorities for the purpose of Joint Programmes. Sometimes the Council of Europe makes proposals to the European Commission for urgent joint undertakings. EuropeAid is the structure within the European Commission involved in the final selection and administrative follow-up of programmes. The Council of Europe counterpart throughout the project cycle is the Directorate of Strategic Planning, in close consultation with the different Council of Europe Directorates General responsible for the implementation of the activities. In recent years the European Commission Delegations in the beneficiary countries have increasingly been implied in the Joint Programmes. Equally, Council of Europe Secretariat Offices in the field support planning and implementation. The European Commission and the Council of Europe provide joint funding for the programme, and the Council of Europe is responsible for its implementation. In most cases funding is shared on a 50-50 basis but on some occasions the European Commission has contributed with proportionally more resources. A large number of Joint Programmes have been concluded with the EC's European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Programmes have also been concluded with the European Commission's TACIS and CARDS programmes. In 2002 a major Joint Programme for Turkey became operational, with resources from the EU enlargement funds and the Council of Europe. In 2001 two Joint Programmes were established with the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR), a decentralised agency of the European Union that deals with assistance to [[Serbia]], [[Montenegro]], [[Kosovo]], and [[FYROM]].<ref name="CoE/EC Joint Programmes">{{cite web|title =Joint Programmes between the CoE and the EU|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|url=http://jp.coe.int/}}</ref> =====Programme Partners===== The Council of Europe often works with partner institutions in the country concerned. Partners may include: # The Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and the Interior # The national and regional Bar Associations # The office of the Public Prosecutor # The Courts and judicial training centres # The national or regional commissioners on human rights # Journalists' unions # Other professional bodies # Human rights protection movements and other non-governmental organisations.<ref name="CoE/EC Joint Programmes">{{cite web|title =Joint Programmes between the CoE and the EU|publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|url=http://jp.coe.int/}}</ref> ===United Nations=== The Council of Europe holds observer status with the [[United Nations]] and is regularly represented in the UN General Assembly. It has organised the regional UN conferences against racism and on women and co-operates with the United Nations at many levels, in particular in the areas of human rights, minorities, migration and counter-terrorism. ===Non-governmental Organisations=== Non-governmental Organisations ([[NGOs]]) can participate in the INGO Conference of the Council of Europe and become observers to inter-governmental committees of experts. The Council of Europe drafted the European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations in 1986, which sets the legal basis for the existence and work of NGOs in Europe. Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects the right to freedom of association, which is also a fundamental norm for NGOs. ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== * [[North-South Centre]] of the Council of Europe * [[Europe]] * [[European Union]] * [[International organisations in Europe]] * [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] * [[OSCE countries statistics]] * [[Common European Framework of Reference for Languages]] * [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] * [[Council of Europe Film Award (FACE)]] * [[CODEXTER]] * [[CAHDI]] ==External links== {{Commonscat|Council of Europe}} {{wikisourcecat|Council of Europe}} * [http://www.coe.int/ Official site] * [http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=001&CM=8&DF=23/01/05&CL=ENG Statute of the Council of Europe] * [http://www.eurominority.org/version/maps/map-native-people-europe.asp Eurominority map of minorities, native peoples and ethnic groups] * [http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=16337 European NAvigator] Council of Europe * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1136239.stm Armenia, Azerbaijan join Council of Europe] * [http://geocities.com/coberltd/ Cornish Bureau for European Relations - CoBER] * [http://www.europeanmovement.org European Movement] {{Institutions of the Council of Europe}} {{Council of Europe}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Council of Europe| ]] [[Category:European politics]] [[Category:International organizations]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1949]] <!--Other languages--> [[ar:مجلس أوروبا]] [[frp:Consèly de l’Eropa]] [[bn:কাউন্সিল অব ইউরোপ]] [[bs:Vijeće Evrope]] [[br:Kuzul Europa]] [[bg:Съвет на Европа]] [[ca:Consell d'Europa]] [[cs:Rada Evropy]] [[cy:Cyngor Ewrop]] [[da:Europarådet]] [[de:Europarat]] [[et:Euroopa Nõukogu]] [[el:Συμβούλιο της Ευρώπης]] [[es:Consejo de Europa]] [[eo:Konsilio de Eŭropo]] [[eu:Europako Kontseilua]] [[fr:Conseil de l'Europe]] [[fy:Rie fan Jeropa]] [[gl:Consello de Europa]] [[hy:Եվրոպական Խորհուրդ]] [[hr:Vijeće Europe]] [[ia:Consilio de Europa]] [[ie:Consilie del Europa]] [[is:Evrópuráðið]] [[it:Consiglio d'Europa]] [[he:מועצת אירופה]] [[ht:Konsey Ewòp]] [[lb:Europarot]] [[lt:Europos Taryba]] [[li:Raod van Europa]] [[hu:Európa Tanács]] [[mk:Совет на Европа]] [[ms:Majlis Eropah]] [[nl:Raad van Europa]] [[ja:欧州評議会]] [[no:Europarådet]] [[oc:Conselh d’Euròpa]] [[pl:Rada Europy]] [[pt:Conselho da Europa]] [[ro:Consiliul Europei]] [[ru:Совет Европы]] [[simple:Council of Europe]] [[sk:Rada Európy]] [[sl:Svet Evrope]] [[sr:Савет Европе]] [[fi:Euroopan neuvosto]] [[sv:Europarådet]] [[tr:Avrupa Konseyi]] [[uk:Рада Європи]] [[zh:欧洲委员会 (非欧盟机构)]]