Greece Celebrates 74th Anniversary as Member of the Council of Europe

10-08-2023 

Sofía Medina Sánchez 

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence 

On the 9th of August 1949, 74 years ago, Greece joined the Council of Europe as its eleventh member. The organisation had been established in London three months prior, on May 5, by the initial ten member States: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

In May 2020, Greece assumed the rotating six-month chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers from Georgia. The role was later passed on to Germany in November of the same year. Greece is represented in the Parliamentary Assembly by a delegation of 7 representatives and 7 substitutes. 

Over the decades, Greece's participation has been marked by a steadfast commitment to the organisation’s core values. The country has actively contributed to the Council's various initiatives, committees, and conventions aimed at protecting and advancing human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Greece's dedication to upholding the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights has been instrumental in shaping the region's legal landscape.

As Greece continues to be an active participant in the Council of Europe, its journey serves as an inspiration to other nations, reinforcing the enduring significance of international cooperation. 

Sources and further reading: 

Council of Europe, Newsroom, Council of Europe, Greece marks 74 years of Council of Europe membership, 9 August 2023 : https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/greece-marks-74-years-of-council-of-europe-membership

Council of Europe, Portal, Greece and the Council of Europe: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/greece