“Europe has one common identity, the one enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights, which remains a fundamental cornerstone of Europe, forming our democracy, developing our societies”, said Thorbjørn Jagland on 1 March in Brussels at conference “Shared social responsibility”, in which he participated alongside José Manuel Barroso,  President of the European Commission. Secretary General stressed that democracy and protection of human rights are the basis for sustainable social justice, economic prosperity and peace, and highlighted the importance of the joint effort of the Council of Europe and the EU.

The conference aimed to give a thoroughly European focus to reflection on the question of responsibilities in forging the future of designs for democracy, social justice, poverty alleviation, sustainability and communal living.

• Speech by Thorbjørn Jagland
• Speech by José Manuel Barroso