COMECE

Content:

Article 17(3) TFEU calls for an open, transparent and regular dialogue. These elements are intended to ensure the dialogue's 'effet utile'. They have to be taken into account in the 'good dialogue practices' governing the dialogue between the EU and Churches.

Legal Basis

The dialogue between the European Union and the Churches has developed in an informal way over the past years on the initiative of EU officials and Church organisations based in Brussels, but without enjoying a legal basis. It was kept alive by the Churches' and religious communities' dynamism and by the good will and availability of senior representatives from the European institutions. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has created legally binding grounds for the first time in the history of the EU, for the dialogue between the EU and the Churches and religious communities.

Open Dialogue

The desire for an open dialogue can be seen as referring to the partners in the dialogue (i.e. it should be open to all participants), as well as to the content of the dialogue (open to all topics, leaving no stone unturned).

Transparent Dialogue

Transparency is a significant characteristic of democratic societies and is required so that key members of society can take part in the political decision-making process and arrive at decisions in a democratic fashion.

Regular Dialogue

According to the Bureau of European Policy Advisers, ‘regular' is deemed to signify an ongoing dialogue conducted by the European Commission with the Churches at various levels in the form of bilateral meetings and specific events. This can be understood as a nod in the direction of the informal dialogue practised up to now.

Annual summit meetings

Dialogue Seminars

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Content:

Legal Basis

Open Dialogue

Transparent Dialogue

Regular Dialogue

Instruments of the Dialogue