EU leaders, José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament and Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council met in Brussels with Christian, Jewish, Muslim religions as well as from the Buddhist communities. They discussed effective ways of rights and liberties with a view to build a Partnership for democracy and shared prosperity between Europe and its neighbourhood.

The faith leaders from thirteen EU Members States (United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, France, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, the Netherlands) and from third countries (Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina) welcomed the EU’s determined and renewed engagement with its nearest neighbours. They expressed their readiness to work side by side with the European institutions to promote democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms which are indispensable in the building of pluralist and democratic societies.

Back in April the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy launched an ambitious Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean. The EU is by far the biggest donor and investor in the countries in the neighbourhood, but Europe is above all determined to promote and protect democratic rights and liberties. The EU is also resolved to share these benefits with all partners, particularly with its neighbours.

This was the seventh in a series of annual meetings launched by President Barroso in 2005. This is the second time that the meeting takes place in the context of the Lisbon Treaty which foresees in its Art 17 that the Union maintains an "open, transparent and regular dialogue" with religion, churches and communities of conviction.