Czech EU Presidency: CEC and COMECE meet with Ambassador Edita Hrdá 

25 October, 2022

An ecumenical delegation of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) met with Ambassador Edita Hrdá, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU, on 24 October 2022, to exchange on the implementation of the Czech EU Presidency’s priorities.

During the meeting with the Czech ambassador, the CEC-COMECE delegation put a special emphasis on the humanitarian, geopolitical and socio-economic implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine, sharing concerns and perspectives for stability, prosperity and peace on the European continent. 

The ecumenical delegation expressed its appreciation for European leaders’ efforts in promoting cohesion in the current difficult moment and encouraged the EU Czech Presidency to continue working towards maintaining political and societal unity across Europe in solidarity with all who are suffering from the war in Ukraine and its wide-ranging consequences. 

While nurturing a close dialogue with local church communities who are at the frontline of humanitarian efforts, CEC and COMECE reiterated their call “for a dialogue-based sustainable solution to the conflict in full respect of international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine”. 

Both parties in dialogue highlighted the valuable role that churches can play in tackling the misuse of religion and the spread of disinformation, two phenomena that are fuelling polarisation across European societies, as well as posing a grave challenge to EU founding values. 

An important shared concern is the humanitarian dimension of the war in Ukraine, especially the assistance to refugees fleeing from Ukraine and other world regions hit by serious crises. CEC and COMECE emphasised the need for “an effective solidarity rooted in a truly common European approach fully respecting the dignity of every human person”. 

The exchange with Ambassador Edita Hrdá also focused on the socio-economic hardship faced by many EU citizens due to the soaring energy prices and the overall increased cost of living. “The solution to the problem - the ecumenical delegation stated – should be crafted at the European level, with a strong sense for unity and determination supporting the most vulnerable in the social and economic fabric.” 

The meeting also addressed the question on how to foster the rule of law in the European Union, taking into account the different historical experiences and sensitivities of each EU Member State. CEC and COMECE offered their openness to engage in this process with the current Czech and upcoming EU Council Presidencies. 

The meeting was also an occasion to share with the Czech ambassador the CEC-COMECE contribution to the Czech EU Presidency Programme: “Europe as a task: rethink, rebuild, repower”

Meetings with EU Council Presidencies are part of a long-standing tradition supported by Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which foresees an open, transparent and regular dialogue between the EU and Churches, religious associations or communities. 

The CEC-COMECE delegation was composed of: 

  • Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen, General Secretary of CEC;
  • Rev Dr Peter Pavlovič, CEC Study Secretary, EU Integration and Sustainable Development;
  • Marek Mišák, COMECE Adviser on EU External Affair;
  • Friederike Ladenburger, COMECE Adviser on Ethics, Research and Health.

Download CEC-COMECE Contribution 

For more information or an interview, please contact:

Naveen Qayyum
Communication Officer
Conference of European Churches
Rue Joseph II, 174 B-1000 Brussels
Tel. +32 486 75 82 36
E-mail: naveen@cec-kek.be
Website: www.ceceurope.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ceceurope
Twitter: @ceceurope
YouTube: Conference of European Churches
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