We believe that the Treaty of Lisbon strengthens the EU as a community of values, promotes the monitoring and enforcement of human rights, and supports the development of the EU’s social dimension. In addition, the Treaty improves opportunities for participatory democracy. The European churches welcome the commitment to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with them (Art. 17).
European integration has fostered peace and prosperity and supported the implementation of human rights and the rule of law; it has brought Europeans closer to each other. The European churches support both EU enlargement and closer collaboration.
The EU should promote social cohesion and justice. This is especially important in economically challenging times. The European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010) afforded an opportunity to promote the right of all to live in dignity and to participate in society.
Climate change affects especially the world´s poorest. To ensure the right of developing countries development, rich countries must finance both the battle against climate change and adaptation to it. Fighting climate change is a matter of justice and safeguarding God’s creation.
Migration and refugee policy should promote justice and eradicate inequality. With regard to human trafficking, the Church reaffirms calls to the EU to focus its policy on the protection of the rights of victims rather than on border control.
In an increasingly diverse Europe, intercultural and interreligious dialogue are essential.
The EU is the world’s largest donor of development aid. The Church stresses the need for a rights-based approach to development policy, with a focus on the implementation of human rights, an adjustment of economic and food production systems to better address the needs of the poorest, and the combatting of climate change.
The key objective of the EU’s regional policy is to promote economic and social cohesion. Churches cooperate through the Theobalt network in the Baltic region and through the Council of Christian Churches in the Barents region. The Common Agricultural Policy should be based on solidarity and sustainability, both at a European and global level.