As Permanent Representation of Malta to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, we represent Malta at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which is the decision-making body of this oldest European political organisation founded in the aftermath of World War II on 5 May 1949. Malta became a member just a few months after gaining independence, acceding on 29 April 1965. Many states joined in the 1990s after the democratic transition in central and Eastern Europe. The Council of Europe today has 46 member states.

The Council of Europe is an international organization promoting co-operation among member states in various areas but foremost those concerning human rights, democracy and the rule of law.  Through its Permanent Representation, Malta takes part in and monitors the work of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies, its various rapporteur groups as well as steering and expert committees. 

Malta has three representatives and three substitute representatives at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which is the consultative body of the Organisation that meets four times a year and adopts resolutions and recommendations on issues related to the core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The European Court of Human Rights, which is composed of judges from each member state, gives judgments in application of the European Convention of Human Rights that all contracting parties are obliged to implement.