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Skriven 2005-06-20 23:53:36 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0506204) for Mon, 2005 Jun 20
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Joint Statement by the European Union and the United States Working
Together to Promote Democracy and Support Freedom, the Rule of Law and
Human Rights Worldwide
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For Immediate Release
June 20, 2005

Joint Statement by the European Union and the United States Working
Together to Promote Democracy and Support Freedom, the Rule of Law and
Human Rights Worldwide



The European Union and the United States believe that the spread of
accountable and representative government, the rule of law, and respect for
human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are
a strategic priority as well as a moral necessity. We will continue to work
together to advance these priorities around the world.

The work of the United Nations is central both to democracy and human
rights. We welcome the proposals put forward by Kofi Annan to renew the
UN's commitment and enhance its effectiveness in these areas. Specifically,
we value the UN Secretary General's initiatives for reforming the UN human
rights mechanisms and for creating a Peacebuilding Commission. We pledge to
support the establishment of the UN Democracy Fund to assist countries in
strengthening civil society and democratic institutions.

We express our admiration and pledge our support for all those engaged in
the defense of freedom, democracy and human rights, in many cases at great
personal risk.

We are encouraged by the efforts of many governments to open their
societies and political systems. Recognizing that democratic reform is a
process that deserves our support, we promise our solidarity and support to
those promoting democracy around the world, be it in Ukraine, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere. We will continue to
support pluralism and the development of civil society, and will encourage
the political participation of women and minorities.

Free and fair elections are central to democracy. We congratulate the many
thousands of citizens who have participated in organizing and observing
elections in their own countries and abroad. We pledge to support the work
of the United Nations in assisting in the organization of elections and
will work together in multilateral fora to further strengthen international
election standards and to spread the implementation of objective and fair
election assessment mechanisms. We support the principles of
impartially-conducted and transparent election administration and
observation and commend the efforts undertaken by various regional
organizations such as the OSCE or civil society in this context. We will
continue to support the holding of free and fair elections in countries
undergoing or desiring democratic transitions, including in Afghanistan,
Haiti, DRC, Iraq, and in the Palestinian territories.

Democracy is not just a matter of elections; it must be anchored in
democratic institutions, separation of powers, human rights, the rule of
law, tolerance, good governance, and justice. Our assistance to third
countries increasingly takes into account the need to sustain democracy in
all these dimensions.

We have worked closely to create a Europe whole, free, and at peace; both
the EU and NATO have played an important part in this, and continue to do
so. We are confident that the reform process in the Balkans will further
the region's successful integration into Europe. The European Neighborhood
Policy and U.S. support for democratic and economic transitions will
contribute further to stability, prosperity and partnership. We will in
particular continue to coordinate our efforts to promote democracy, the
rule of law and respect for human rights in Belarus.

We are witnessing a growing desire for reform in the Middle East and
welcome recent democratic developments. Democratic elections in the
Palestinian territories, Iraq, and Lebanon have successfully taken place.
We recognize the importance of transparent and fair elections and the need
to expand freedom and opportunity across the region. We reaffirm our
commitments made at Dromoland and Sea Island, and our support for the Forum
for the Future and other elements of the G-8 BMENA Initiative. Recognizing
that the threat of conflict can undermine democratic reforms, we commit
ourselves to support those who are working for the resolution of conflicts,
in the Middle East and elsewhere.

We have both encouraged the growth of democratic institutions in many
countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We acknowledge the important
contributions by regional and multilateral organizations, as well as
initiatives such as the Community of Democracies, to promote democracy and
respect for fundamental human rights.

We recognize that differences in history, culture and society mean that the
paths taken towards democracy and the rule of law will be different and
that the systems of government that result will be varied, reflecting local
traditions and preferences. Democracy, while it is based on universal
values, will not be uniform. However, the desire for justice, freedom,
human rights, and accountable and representative government is universal.
In the long term, only systems responsive to the wishes of the people they
govern can achieve political stability.
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