Romania and the Council of Europe – bringing human rights from the conference table to your kitchen table

The Council of Europe works for you. We want to give visibility to the role, standards and work of the Council of Europe in its member states, to show how Council of Europe membership has helped achieve particular results or changes. Our aim, through a variety of events and actions, is to highlight ways in which the Council of Europe’s action has helped improve the life of individuals and contributed to improving people’s enjoyment of fundamental rights.

 


Amb. Dr. Ion I. Jinga, Reprezentant Permanent al României la Consiliul Europei

 

Whether it is the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights at national level, or the Council of Europe's work in many fields, such as working to abolish the death penalty or to ensure freedom of expression and freedom of the media, or to adress online and technology-facilitated violence against women through the Istanbul Convention and Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the Council of Europe has achieved a lot since 1949. View achievements »

​​​ Events

18 May 2026

  • The Council of Europe in Search of the Future: In this article, Ambassador Ion Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, writes about the status of the Organisation, its reform and responses to situations threating European security and stability – defining the future strategic direction of the Council of Europe. “Although the Council of Europe has no competences in the field of defence and military security, it could act on the legal, institutional and democratic dimensions of crisis management, resilience, good offices and political coordination. A SWOT analysis (a study undertaken by an organization to identify its internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) could help refine the concept.” The article has been published in America Times and Umbrela Strategică.

22 February 2026

  • Times to remember: Referring to four major moments* in his article ‘Times to remember’ published in Umbrela Strategică, Euractiv.ro, and The America Times, Dr Ion I. Jinga, Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe highlights political events having in common the search for solutions to fundamental challenges our world faces. “If problems are common, then solutions must be common. And if both problems and solutions are common, then their causes are intertwined. Historically, structural changes like those we are seeing now only come around once in a century and may be disruptive. But disruptions are not always destructive. When exceptional situations require exceptional measures, they can be a catalyst for new construction.”
    *World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the informal retreat of the European Union leaders at Alden-Biesen Castle, Belgium, the Munich Security Conference, and the first meeting of the Board of Peace.

26 January 2026

  • When the Tectonic Plates of Geopolitics Move: “Historically, structural changes like those we are seeing now only come around once in a century and may be disruptive. It is a time of deep polarization and geopolitical volatility, with multiple crises taking place concurrently, and with competition among major players extended to new areas of confrontation - from the geopolitical race for space, to rivalry in the field of artificial intelligence. Today, like 40 years ago, the transatlantic unity is essential to navigate turbulent times defined by geopolitical, economic and social shifts,” writes Ambassador Ion Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe in Euractiv and the America Times. In Romanian language: Când plăcile tectonice ale geopoliticii se mișcă (Umbrela Strategică) and EurActiv.
2 December 2025

27 October 2025​

  • About Freedom and the Council of Europe: In an opinion piece, Ambassador Ion Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, underscored the enduring significance of freedom and the pivotal role played by the Council of Europe in defending it. He noted, “From Magna Carta to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the concept of freedom has shaped the foundations of our societies. Today, the Council of Europe stands at the forefront of protecting these values—democracy, rule of law, and human rights—across our continent. In a world challenged by disinformation, conflict, and rapid change, the Council’s work in upholding freedom is more vital than ever.” The article was published in English on the websites of Romanian Euractiv and the America Times. In Romanian language: Despre Libertăți (Umbrela Strategică).

9 September 2025​

  • About diplomacy and diplomats: Ambassador Ion Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe has highlighted the role of diplomacy and diplomats in an opinion article, saying: “After 33 years in the Romanian diplomatic service, of which almost 23 years as ambassador, I reached to the conclusion that diplomats are made, not born. No one is born with the ability to practice international diplomacy, which requires to understand foreign societies, influence governments, conduct negotiations, anticipate threats and take advantage of opportunities. These skills have to be acquired, and therefore professional diplomatic services require training, tools and resources. Diplomacy is learned from books, from practice and from inspirational role models.” The article was published in English on the websites of Romanian Euractiv and the America Times. In Romanian language: Despre Diplomație și Diplomați (Euractiv.ro) Ion Jinga despre Diplomație și Diplomați (Economistul) and Despre Diplomație și Diplomați (Umbrela Strategică).

25 May 2025​

  • About a New Democratic Pact for Europe: Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, has written an opinion article where he raises the role of the Council of Europe in the “new geopolitical context and how to restore citizens’ trust in democracy”, in an international landscape where "the democratic backsliding has become a defining trend in European and global politics” as discussed in the Luxembourg Ministerial meeting in May 2025 and citing the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset “What Europe needs is a reset: a New Democratic Pact for Europe.” The article appears on the European website of EurActiv and the American website America Times. Despre un Nou Pact Democratic pentru Europa Articol al ambasadorului Ion Jinga, șeful Reprezentanței Permanente a României la Consiliul Europei, trimis Umbrela Strategică.

19 March 2025​

  • In his article "About Democracy and Industrial Revolutions," published in The America Times, H.E. Dr. Ion I. Jinga examines the symptoms and causes of democratic decline, such as decreased political participation and public distrust in institutions, and discusses the impact of global crises like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic on democracy. The article was also published in Euractiv.ro; Despre democrație și revoluții industriale, articol al ambasadorului Ion Jinga, șeful Reprezentanței Permanente a României la Consiliul Europei, trimis Umbrela Strategică).

25-27 February 2025

  • In his article ‘The Ocean and Human Rights’ published in Umbrela Strategică, Euractiv.ro, and The America Times, H.E. Dr Ion I. Jinga, Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe highlights the critical role of oceans in sustaining life and the urgent need to address marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. He underscores the fact that international cooperation, as seen in agreements like the UN's High Seas Treaty and Council of Europe standards, is essential for ocean conservation. With the upcoming 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice in view, Jinga advocates for a human rights-based approach to environmental protection, urging multilateral action and global partnerships.

21-23  January 2025

  • Learning from History - The Union of the Romanian Principalities: An opinion article about how Romania´s history, geography, culture, traditions, values and aspirations through the Union of 1859 has been the beginning of an extraordinary process of modernisation and reforms of the country as a provider of regional and global stability, promoting respect for the rule of law and human rights, contributing to lasting peace solutions to conflicts. The article, written by Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe has been published on the European website EurActiv (21 January), the America Times (21 January) and in the online publication Umbrela Strategică (23 January).

26-30  November 2024

  • December as a Special Time:  An opinion article written by Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, highlighting the special significance of 1 December 1918 when the modern Romanian State reached its natural borders. The article has been published on the European website EurActiv (30 November), the America Times (26 November) and in the online publication Umbrela Strategică (28 November).

3 November 2024

  • Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence and Real Life :  An opinion article on the threats and opportunities offered by advances in the field of artificial intelligence written by Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe and published on the European website EurActiv and the America Times.

11 September 2024

  • A Library against Oblivion: An opinion article written by Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe and published in the European website EurActiv and the America Times about the Romanian Library in Freiburg im Breisgau, an act of resistance through culture by a group of Romanian refugees against violation of democracy and human rights by the Communist regime.

26 June 2024

  • Great expectations: The Summit of the Future : Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, has written an opinion article in which he makes the point that the 52 actions proposed in the draft United Nations' Pact for the Future are also priorities for the Council of Europe. The article, aimed at raising the Organisation’s visibility, appears both on the European website EurActiv and the American website the America Times.  Marile speranțe: Summit-ul Viitorului (umbrela-strategica.ro) : Articol al ambasadorului Ion Jinga, șeful Reprezentanței Permanente a României pe lângă Consiliul Europei, preluat din The America Times.

8 March 2024

  • The Council of Europe at 75 : Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, has written an opinion article on the history and achievements of the Organisation, as it approaches its 75th anniversary on 5 May 2024.  The article, aimed at raising the Organisation’s visibility, appears both on the European website EurActiv, and the American website the America Times. It traces the major milestones in the Council of Europe’s history, from Churchill’s famous speech in Zurich in 1946 to the Reykjavik Summit in May 2023. "Consiliul Europei @75" - Un articol al ambasadorului Ion Jinga, șeful Reprezentanţei permanente a României pe lângă Consiliul Europei, trimis Umbrela Strategică.

28 September 2023

  • Romania at the Council of Europe: A 30-Year Journey : Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, has written an opinion article on the Romanian website of EurActiv to mark the 30th anniversary of Romania’s accession to the CoE. Romania joined the Council of Europe on 7 October 1993.

 Telling the story