” “"The Agency for Fundamental Rights is a first, important political instrument of the EU policy in this sphere". Similar initiatives "are essential to respond to the citizens’ expectations" from a community "based on common values, that respects and defends" people’s essential rights and freedoms. The new Agency officially starts working today: at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna, a ceremony will be held before José Manuel Barroso, president of the EU Commission, Hans-Gert Pöttering, president of the EU Parliament, Brigitte Zypries, German Minister of Justice. The secretary general of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, the supranational body that is most responsible for this sphere through its own activity and the activity of the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, will also be there. The EU Agency is the result of the conversion of the European Observatory for racist and xenophobic phenomena, decided by the EU Council in 2003 and enforced by a resolution of the EU Ministers of Justice on 5th December. A release from Barroso’s Commission states: "It will play a key role in making the fundamental rights fully respected in the European spheres of action, such as the fight against discrimination, migration and asylum policies".” “
