Following increased security threats in Europe's regions and cities, Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, dedicated today's EPP Group meeting to defending European fundamental rights and values in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism. "The EPP is built on fundamental and universally applicable values, including cultural and religious freedoms. However intolerance, like radicalization and terrorism, knows no borders and is calling these very values into question. Today, we underline our political commitment and responsibility to address these issues in our own local communities."
According to Ján Figeľ, the promotion of mutual respect and understanding in fast changing social environments are key building blocks for a more human world in the twenty-first century. He therefore decided to make his maiden speech as the EU's special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union, to local and regional politicians, who are politically responsible for the places where people live and work. "The promotion of religious freedom or the freedom of beliefs, as well as the fight against radicalisation and violent extremism, are not primarily housed in the abstract world of ideas, but rooted in the daily realities of our towns and cities" he said.
Markku Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions, added "A direct and genuine dialogue is essential to foster democracy, fight radicalization, and protect Europe's universal values by putting the dignity of humans first. Today, we underline the EU's commitment to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. Europe's cities and regions are key players in this bottom-up citizens' engagement and the CoR continues to engage local and regional authorities in the dialogue with our citizens on our democratic values and on the added-value of Europe for the daily life of communities."
The debate was timely, coming one day after the launch of an EU High Level Group on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and other forms of intolerance and during the European Development Days, which are dedicated to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Building upon 5 vital ''P''s for sustainable development: Partnership, Peace, Prosperity, Planet and People, the Agenda for Sustainable Development is a universal framework to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030. "The Agenda 2030, which will frame development work for the next 15 years, invites us to add a "fourth dimension" to the economic, social and environmental development. Ján Figeľ explained. "I hope that, together, all of us engaged in decentralized cooperation will work hard to build up this fourth dimension of human rights and religious freedom, placing it at the heart of European development policy."