[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 25 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Pages 1034-1035]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

June 20, 2005

    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

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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.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.