Brussels, 27/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the General Affairs Council of 27 February, the Austrian minister for foreign affairs and president-in-office of the EU Council, Ursula Plassnik, said during a press conference that she had the feeling a real effort was being made to leave aside the bitterness caused by the ruckus over the cartoons of the prophet Mohammad, published in Denmark and then reproduced elsewhere. “We hope today that we shall be able to focus on the future and on future activities to relieve the tension”, she said.
On Monday, the European foreign ministers expressed their grave concern about the events that followed the publication of the cartoons on European media in several places and regretted that the cartoons had been considered “offensive and distressing” by Muslims across the world. Nonetheless, the Council wished to recall that freedom of expression is a “fundamental right” and an “essential element of a democratic discourse”. Ms Plassnik said it is essential for media to be free to ensure that society is free and open. Nonetheless, freedoms must come with responsibilities, she added. Freedom of expression must therefore be used with respect for others' religious convictions and beliefs. The European Commissioner for freedom, security and justice, Franco Frattini, had on several occasions expressed a similar point of view over recent weeks.
Ministers also “firmly” condemned the violent acts and the threats made against EU citizens and against citizens of any other country. They expressed their “total solidarity” with the States that have suffered attacks against their nationals or embassies. Welcoming the declarations made by certain religious leaders and Muslim political figures who called for moderation, the Council welcomed the recent visit to the Gulf countries and the Middle East by EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, as well as the meetings that were held in Vienna between the Austrian Presidency the Danish foreign minister and certain Islamic leaders. “These contacts, including the call for renewed dialogue in the Joint Statement by the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the EU High Representative of February 7, 2006, have demonstrated how much common ground exists in this direction”, the Council says in its conclusions.
The EU and its Member States therefore undertake to “actively promote dialogue, mutual understanding and respect through all existing mechanisms, including the Barcelona process and the Anna Lindh Foundation as well as the ASEM process”. The Council also expresses its strong support for the “Alliance of Civilisations initiative” launched under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General by the Prime Ministers of Spain and Turkey. It invites the Presidency, High Representative Javier Solana and the Commission to pursue their dialogue with the international actors of the Muslim world such as the OIC or the Arab League, in order to strengthen tolerance and respect for religious and other beliefs and convictions. By way of conclusion, Ursula Plassnik said the different communities and religions must be able to live together.