Welcome to the website of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara!
The Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara was established in April 2004. Since then the Council of Europe has been implementing various projects and programmes, which aim to support Türkiye in fulfilling the Council of Europe standards in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy.
Türkiye as one of the longest- standing members of the Council of Europe is party to the Council of Europe’s major treaties, conventions and protocols, the European Convention on Human Rights and European Social Charter, inter alia. Türkiye has continuously reaffirmed its commitment to the Organisation and its values over the years.
Türkiye, the Council of Europe and the European Union work together through the joint projects/ programmes implemented by the Council of Europe, in co-operation with relevant national institutions, to strengthen the capacities of the Turkish authorities and to improve the application of European standards at the national level. Through these co-operation projects, the Council of Europe and the European Union facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills to the national partners and pay specialattention to ensuring local ownership and sustainability.
The Council of Europe also encourages States to provide financial/technical support to its members by means of various embedded mechanisms. As one of these prominent mechanisms, the Human Rights Trust Fund aims to promote the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights at national level through support given by the Council of Europe programmes implemented in various member states including Türkiye. Individual member and observer states also contribute to the efforts in Turkey with financial and technical facilities.
Through the Council of Europe projects implemented in Türkiye for the last 15 years, thousands of civil servants, academics and civil society representatives have gained insight into the principles and application of the European Convention on Human Rights, including the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the European best practices of judicial and democratic systems. These activities, such as training seminars, study visits, placements, awareness raising actions, round tables and a number of useful publications, most of which were translated into Turkish, have given support to the Turkish institutions by addressing their needs.
The Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara plays a major role in enhancing existing close ties between the Council of Europe and Türkiye by means of continuous cooperation programmes. The Office carries a strong commitment to maintain this goal with its full endeavor and energy for today and the future.
General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the CoE
Council of Europe Ankara Programme Office Leaflet
