The European Union and the Council of Europe are two separate organizations, both with different functions. The European Union is an economic and political union of 28 member countries, while the Council of Europe is a 47-member human rights organization. This article will explore the differences between these two entities.
What is the European Union?
The European Union (EU) is a unique political and economic partnership that includes 27 member states. The EU was created in the aftermath of World War II to promote stability and economic cooperation among its members.
- The EU has since evolved into a highly integrated political and economic entity, with a common currency (the euro), a common market, and a range of common policies. The EU’s primary aim is to promote peace and prosperity within its borders, although it also plays an increasingly important role in international affairs.
- The EU is governed by a variety of institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Council, and the European Commission. The member states of the EU are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
- The headquarters of the EU are located in Brussels, Belgium. The current president of the European Council is Herman Van Rompuy, and the current president of the European Commission is Jose Manuel Barroso.
What is the Council Of Europe?
The Council of Europe is an international organization that promotes cooperation between member states on a range of issues, including human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
- The Council was founded in 1949 by 10 European countries, and today it has 47 members. The Council’s headquarters are in Strasbourg, France. The Council is best known for its work on human rights, which includes the European Convention on Human Rights.
- This convention is a binding treaty that sets out the basic human rights that must be respected by all Council of Europe member states. The Council also helps to improve democracy and the rule of law in member states through its work on election observation and support for civil society organizations.
- In addition, the Council promotes language diversity and cultural cooperation through its work on minority rights and the protection of endangered languages.
Difference between The European Union and Council Of Europe
The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE) are often confused because of their similar names and objectives. The two organizations are actually quite different.
- The EU is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are committed to working together for the common good.
- The Council of Europe, on the other hand, is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation between its 47 member states in the areas of culture, education, science, and human rights.
- Although both organizations work to promote peace and stability in Europe, the EU is the more powerful of the two.
- The EU has its own court system and currency, while the Council of Europe does not. The EU also has a larger budget and more staff than the Council of Europe.
In short, the European Union is a supranational organization with more authority than the Council of Europe.
Conclusion
The European Union and the Council of Europe are two separate entities. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between the two organizations. If you’re looking to study or work in Europe, it’s important to understand the distinctions between these groups.
