Yesterday, Monday 7 April, a delegation from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Polish Minister for European Union Affairs Adam Szłapka in Warsaw. The meeting took place in the context of Poland’s ongoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The delegation – according to a joint statement from the two bodies – shared a joint reflection highlighting Churches’ views on the main policy priorities of the Polish EU Presidency. The discussion focused on promoting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and a new European security architecture, as well as on ensuring fair migration and asylum policies and a credible, citizen-centred and merit-based EU enlargement process.

The delegation – the statement goes on to say – reaffirmed Churches’ commitment to the European project, underlining the need to strengthen internal unity and solidarity within and outside of Europe’s borders. In the face of global and regional instability, COMECE and CEC highlighted “the need to pursue value-based policies rooted in human dignity, justice and mutual respect”. The ecumenical delegation stressed that “75 years after Robert Schuman’s Declaration, Christian values, which inspired him in outlining the vision of the European peace project, should also serve today as a compass to shape policies adequately addressing the current challenges”. Church leaders also reiterated “their solidarity with Ukraine and its people”. They called for “continued support towards a just and lasting peace based on international law”. COMECE and CEC acknowledged “EU´s efforts to strengthen European security and defence but urged strict legal and ethical controls to ensure their coherent contribution to peacebuilding – the core of the European project. A call was made to initiate a multi-stakeholder dialogue on a future European Peace Strategy”.

On migration and asylum, the Churches advocated for “a humane and fair approach that respects international law and safeguards the dignity of all persons”. They encouraged the improvement of reception conditions and access to fair asylum procedures. The two European bodies also urged reflection on the EU’s values in the context of enlargement and proposed that Churches and civil society contribute to this process. During the meeting, the ecumenical delegation also expressed solidarity with the local Churches in Poland regarding the recent developments in the field of religious education. The meeting with Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for European Union Affairs, continues the long-standing dialogue between the EU institutions and Churches under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It reflects a shared commitment to contributing to the common good in Europe through open, transparent and regular engagement.