"Neither geographical proximity nor a shared history are enough to cement a union of States and peoples for a long time. It is the universal values, which belong to our common heritage, that play a decisive role in the process of integration between the member states of the EU and their populations". José Manuel Barroso, president of the EU Commission, comments the meeting that took place in Brussels today between the delegates of the EU institutions and 20 leaders of the monotheistic religions. Along with Barroso, the meeting was attended by Angela Merkel, German Chancellor and president on duty of the EU Council, and Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the 27-member EU Parliament. The delegates of the European Churches included cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Papal Council for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians, cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the German Bishops Conference, mgr. Adrianus van Luyn, president of Comece (Commission of the EU Bishops Conferences). Leaders of the Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Evangelical Churches; pastor Jean-Arnold de Clermont, president of the Conference of the European Churches; rabbis from the Jewish community; leaders of the Muslim communities, all took part in the talks. (to be continued)
