The informal meeting, which is part of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, was co-chaired by European Commission President Barroso, Slovenian Prime Minister and current President of the European Council, Janez Janša, and the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering.

 

This year's meeting focused on two major challenges facing the European Union: climate change and reconciliation between cultures.

 

It was the fourth annual meeting with religious leaders, an initiative launched by President Barroso in 2005.

 

"Climate change obliges all of us to take urgent action. Each part of civil society must contribute to ensuring a sustainable future of our planet. Thanks to their outreach and role in our societies, religions and communities of belief are well placed to make a valuable contribution in mobilizing them for a sustainable future," Barroso declared.

 

" Let's unite in our common endeavour and prove that the preachers of a clash of civilisations are wrong,” he added.

 

The current President of the European Council, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, said: "The environment is not only natural but also a sacred place. Community and loyalty between man, nature and the Creator is a basic principle of Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike.”

 

European Parliament President hans-Gert Poettering said: "Intercultural dialogue is a key instrument to building bridges between people and to safeguarding peace based on mutual respect. Intercultural dialogue therefore is also an important contribution to the European Union's relations with its neighbouring countries, in particular in the Mediterranean region".

 

Among Jewish leaders who attended the meeting were Poland’s chief rabbi Michael Schudrich, Rabbi Rafael Evers, Dean of the Rabbinical Seminary of Holland, and Rabbi Mordechai Ginsbury, chairman of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue in the UK.