Relations with international organisations and institutions
The Council of Europe’s policy towards other international organisations and institutions is guided by decisions of the member States.
At their 4th Summit held in Reykjavik on 16-17 May 2023, Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe committed to strengthening the role of the Council of Europe in the European multilateral architecture and in global governance by enhancing its external dimension. They recognised that the European Union is the main institutional partner of the Council of Europe in political, legal, and financial terms […]. They also called for more political dialogue with other international organisations, including the UN and the OSCE, to strengthen the partnership between these organisations and the Council of Europe […]
Reykjavík Declaration - United around our values
The 4th Summit has given an effective impetus to the CoE’s relations with other international organisations, as stressed at the Committee of Ministers’ 133rd Session held on 16-17 May 2024, in Strasbourg.
At present, the Council of Europe has relations with around 100 international organisations/international bodies. Most of these relations are guided by general co-operation agreements and/or various sectorial agreements with respective entities.
In addition, the Council of Europe maintains ad hoc contacts and relations with some international organisations active in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
The DPAER assumes the primary responsibility for cooperation with other international organisations and for CoE Offices in charge of liaison with other international organisations or institutions (in Brussels, Geneva, Vienna and Warsaw).
On 20 October 2010, the Committee of Ministers adopted Rule No. 1318 of 20 October 2010 on Guidelines for concluding agreements between the Council of Europe and other international intergovernmental organisations or public international entities.
For further information on institutionalised relations between the Council of Europe and other International Organisations please see:
Documents
- Decisions: 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers (Strasbourg, 17 May 2024) - 2. United around our values – b. Implementation of the Reykjavík Declaration
- Report on follow-up to the Reykjavík Declaration – “Reykjavík – one year on”, 14 May 2024
- Declaration by the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe, 17 May 2024
- Council of Europe’s relations with other international organisations. 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers (Strasbourg, 16-17 May 2024) 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe (Reykjavík, Iceland, 16-17 May 2023) – Follow-up.
- Rule No. 1318 of 20 October 2010 on Guidelines for concluding agreements between the Council of Europe and other international intergovernmental organisations or public international entities.
- List of Agreements concluded by the Council of Europe with other international intergovernmental organisations or public international entities