THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES ADOPTS VILNIUS DECLARATION THAT COMMITS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC VALUES
On July 1, the sixth Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies adopted the Vilnius Declaration that emphasizes the commitment to strengthen the Community of Democracies activities and endorses the initiative to help other countries, which are now in the process of transition to democracy.
The document stresses the determination of the countries to continue to strengthen the Community of Democracies activities on advocacy and protection of democratic values in countries facing threats to their democracy, coordinate policies and activities to enhance the effectiveness of democratic governance.
The Declaration endorsed the Democracy Partnership Challenge, a framework in which the countries Conference of the Community of Democracies can help other countries that are implementing democratic reforms.
"We are especially glad to be able here, in Vilnius, to endorse the Democracy Partnership Challenge, aimed at providing support to pro-democratic efforts of Tunisia, Moldova, and, hopefully, later of other countries," Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis said at the closing session of the Ministerial Conference.
In order to increase the efficiency, scope and activities of the Community of Democracies new institutional dimensions of the Community were shaped. A decision was taken to establish the Governing Council of the Community of Democracies Council which will become the Communities governing body.
Furthermore, at the initiative of other countries the declaration highly evaluates efforts of Lithuania's Presidency of the Community of Democracies to set up the Parliamentary Forum, the Young Leaders Forum and the Corporate Democracy Forum.
The declaration also stresses support to the working groups of the Community of Democracies that were initiated by Lithuania as they are an important mechanism for implementing concrete initiatives that promote democracy.
