High-level meeting with religious leaders from across Europe

Commission brings together religious leaders to discuss the Future of Europe

The 13th annual high-level meeting with religious leaders across Europe took place today in the context of the ongoing debate on the Future of Europe, launched by President Juncker with the Commission's White Paper on 1 March.

The meeting which was hosted by European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, in the presence of European Parliament First Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, provided an occasion to hold in-depth discussions on questions addressing issues of values and governance.

Discussions focused on the future of Europe and mainly at how to make Europe more united, stronger and more democratic, as set out by President Juncker in his 2017 State of the Union address.

The participants also looked at the human dimension of Europe, in particular its social and environmental dimensions and how Europe can be built on principles of solidarity, social justice and sustainability.

The religious leaders present were invited to work with the Commission throughout the reflection process on the future of Europe. It was agreed that the dialogue on the issues discussed today should continue.

Today's high-level meeting is part of the regular dialogue with churches, religious communities, philosophical and non-confessional organisations foreseen by Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty.