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A round table discussion “New Partnerships in Democracy Building: European Union and the Community of Democracies” will be held on 16 November at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU.  Possibilities for cooperation between the European Union and the Community of Democracies, as well as the coordination of actions in the area of democracy promotion will be deliberated during the discussion.

The event in Brussels is organised by the Lithuanian Presidency of the Community of Democracies, it aims at bringing together high-ranking officials from the member states of the Community of Democracies and the EU, representatives from the EU institutions, European and international non-governmental organizations with greatest merits to the spread of democracy.

The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek will open the discussion. Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas will speak during the event. Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Estonia, and Malta, the Minister for European Affairs of Romania and other high-ranking officials from the EU member states, EU institutions and non-governmental organizations, members of the European Parliament will also participate in the discussion.

On the same day the European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting will begin in Brussels. During the meeting, foreign ministers of the EU member states will discuss the GAERC conclusions on the EU support for democracy-building processes through the development of the EU’s external relations.

The Council intends to adopt the EU Agenda for Action on Democracy Support in EU External Relations that is drafted by the European Commission. The Agenda emphasizes that aiming at greater consistency and efficiency of democracy-building, the EU and its member states should intensify their cooperation within international fora and their cooperation with the Community of Democracies.

Lithuania started the Presidency of the Community of Democracies, which is comprised of over 100 countries, in July 2009. Broader cooperation of the EU member states within the Community of Democracies is one of the priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency.

Lithuania will preside at the Community of Democracies until 2011. The main objective of Lithuania’s Presidency is to improve the efficiency and visibility of the Community of Democracies in the world. Lithuania aims to reform the Community of Democracies itself and to more effectively involve into activities world’s major democracies, international and regional organizations, concerned with the spread of democracy.   

For more information on Lithuania’s Presidency of the Community of Democracies please visit here.