On August 9, 1949, Greece joined the Council of Europe as its eleventh member, marking a significant milestone in its post-war history. The Council of Europe, established just three months prior on May 5, 1949, was founded in London by ten original member countries: 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, taking over from Georgia. Greece’s tenure lasted until November 2020, when it passed the chairmanship to Germany.
Today, the Council of Europe has expanded to include 46 member states, underscoring its role as a key institution in promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the continent.
