A decade which made history. The Council of Europe 1989-1999

Book abstract:

This book is the story of Europe's reconciliation with itself. It chronicles the decade since 1989, 'year zero' for Europe as we know it today. This decade also saw the rebirth of the Council of Europe, an organisation launched a full forty years before, immediately after the second world war, by the founding fathers of the European process, with 'never again!' as its motto. Founded to protect and promote the ideals and principles which form the shared heritage of all the countries in Europe - pluralist democracy, human rights and the rule of law chief among them - the Council is once again pursuing its original aim of 'achieving freedom and rights throughout the continent': Now fifty years old, its membership extends to nearly all the states of Greater Europe, sharing common values.

The author asserts that, in the last ten years, the continent of Europe has seen changes on a scale probably unparalleled since the fall of the Roman Empire. The Council of Europe has played a special role in all of this, as the structure best qualified to welcome the new European democracies, and its membership leapt from 23 to 41 (including 17 Central and East European countries) between 1990 and 1999.

The chapters are: The common European home; The end of Yalta; Thirty-five minus two equals fifty-three; The crucible of the Confederation; Out of sheltered waters; The frontiers of Europe; All different, all equal; From Reykjavik to Vladivostock; The Greater Europe Summit; From words to deeds; For a Greater Europe without dividing lines. Finally, there is a conclusion together with notes, colour photographs and maps of the region, addenda including a chronology of the main events, 5 May 1989 - 30 July 1999; a list of countries involved in the building of Europe; and appendices and references on European countries and the Council of Europe.