Brussels, 15/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The plenary of the spring assembly of COMECE (Bishops Conference of the European Union) on 9-11 March in Brussels tackled many issues with the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
Lisbon Strategy: during a discussion on COMECE's contribution to the Spring Summit (EUROPE 4 March p 18), the bishops called on president Barroso to make an active commitment, together with COMECE for a partnership for change, which would build a Europe based on values on employment, the family and research.
European Constitution: bishops underlined the importance of an informed and open debate” during the ratification process.
Neighbouring countries: recognising the commitment and investment from the EU in the Balkans, bishops highlighted the Church's provision for “actively contributing to the stabilisation of the region” and expressed its wishes for the opening up of accession negotiations between Croatia and the EU in the near future. They also welcomed the historic events in Ukraine.
Millennium development objectives: bishops called on president Barroso to “ensure solidarity with poor countries in and outside the EU's borders. They also stressed the importance, in this context of the importance of financial perspectives for 2007-13.
President Barroso recognised the “important role played by the Church throughout the history of European integration” and welcomed its reflection on European construction, contained in the “Future of the EU and the Responsibility of Catholics”, which will be published on 9 May by COMECE. The bishops expressed a desire for a “commitment to inter-faith dialogue in order to fulfil the objectives” of the Euro-Mediterranean process. Mr Barroso welcomed COMECE's proposal to hold a seminar in Brussels for EU and US bishops next September.