What is the Difference Between European Union and Council of Europe?

The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe are two distinct organizations that share the same fundamental values – human rights, democracy, and the rule of law – but have different roles and functions.

The EU is an economic and political union of 27 member states, with the primary goal of promoting economic integration and cooperation among its members. It discusses, amends, and adopts laws, coordinates EU countries' policies, develops the EU's foreign and security policy, concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations, and adopts the annual EU budget. Some key EU laws include freedom of movement, rules on maximum working hours, and laws protecting personal data.

On the other hand, the Council of Europe is an international organization based in Strasbourg, France, with 46 member countries across Europe. Its primary goal is to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The Council of Europe is responsible for the European Convention on Human Rights, which is enforced by the European Court of Human Rights. This treaty provides human rights protection to everyone in the countries that have signed it. Other Council of Europe treaties and agreements focus on a wide range of issues, such as fighting human trafficking, the sexual exploitation of children, and violence against women.

In summary, the EU is a political and economic union of countries that share common rules and policies, while the Council of Europe is an international organization that promotes democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across Europe. Although they share the same fundamental values, they have different roles and functions.

Comparative Table: European Union vs Council of Europe

The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe are two distinct organizations with different objectives and structures. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

It is essential to note that the European Council and the Council of the European Union are two different institutions within the EU, and the Council of Europe is a separate organization. The European Council is the highest political entity of the EU, comprising the heads of state or government of each member state. On the other hand, the Council of the European Union is a legislative and executive body within the EU, composed of representatives of the 27 EU member states.