Council of Europe
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The Council of Europe is an international organisation which aims to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it is Europe's oldest intergovernmental organisation
Plaque commemorating the first session of the Council of Europe Assembly at Strasbourg University
Session of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in the former House of Europe in Strasbourg in 1967. Willy Brandt, German Minister for Foreign Affairs, is speaking.
Winston Churchill's inaugural speech of the Council of Europe in The Hague
Council's Parliamentary Assembly hemicycle
Flag of Europe
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The flag of Europe or European flag consists of a navy blue flag with twelve golden stars in a circle. It was designed and adopted in 1955 by the Council of Europe as a symbol for the whole of Europe.
Council of Europe
…is distinct from the European Union (EU), although people sometimes confuse the two organisations – partly because the EU has adopted the original European flag, designed for the Council of Europe in 1955, as well as the European anthem. No country has ever joined the EU without first belonging to the Council…
Statue of the Blessed Virgin in Strasbourg Cathedral (1859)
Demi Vollering, wearing the 2026 European championship medal and jersey
Protesters in Kyiv waving Ukrainian and European flags during the Euromaidan demonstrations in 2013
European flag with the Ukrainian trident at a pro-EU rally in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 24 November 2013