The results of the recent European elections, which were marked by a surge of extreme-rightist and eurosceptic parties, the economic crisis, and the attack on May 24 attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels were topics high on the agenda of the tenth annual summit between EU and religious leaders in Brussels on Tuesday.
The meeting with high-level representatives from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Mormon communities was hosted by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and co-chaired by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Laszlo Surjan, Vice-President of the European Parliament.
Jewish religious leaders included Chaim Burstein, Chief Rabbi of Lithuania, Albert Guigui, Chief Rabbi of Brussels and Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis.
The participants observed a minute's silence in respect of the four victims of the attack in the Jewish museum and adopted a joint declaration regarding Meriam Ibrahim, a Sudanese Christian sentenced to death for apostasy.
‘’There is a pressing need to strengthen links between EU citizens and the democratic process of the Union. I strongly believe that the active involvement of Churches and religious communities can contribute decisively to this reflexion,’’ said Barroso.
European Parliament Vice-President Laszlo Surjan declared: “Churches, religious associations and communities have been during the crisis a bastion against the deterioration of the social fabrics that makes Europe: they have contributed not just to the economic, but also to the social and moral recovery of the continent. Their voice matters and the European Union must continue to build on this relationship to its own benefits and to that of its citizens.”
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the high-level meeting with religious leaders.
The meeting is part of the broader political dialogue on the future of Europe that is taking place at all levels. This includes a series of citizens' dialogues between European and national politicians and citizens, initiated as part of the European Year of Citizens 2013 and continued in 2014, and the call from President Barroso and the European Parliament for artists, intellectuals and scientists to draft a new narrative for Europe for all citizens.
The open, transparent and regular dialogue between the European Commission and churches, religious communities, as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations, is enshrined into primary law by the Lisbon Treaty.