The Council of Europe was founded on 5 May 1949 by the Treaty of London.

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The Statute was signed in London on that day by ten states: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It now has 47 member states, with Montenegro being the latest to join.

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Article 4 of the Council of Europe Statute specifies that membership is open to any European country, provided they meet specific democratic and human rights standards.

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No country has ever joined the EU without first belonging to the Council of Europe.

 

The Council of Europe is an official United Nations Observer.