Belgium: 'We firmly believe that democratic values are universal' - EU’s Metsola

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola gave the opening address to MEPs and guests at the 'Supporting Parliamentary Democracy Worldwide: Building democratic resilience' conference in Brussels on Tuesday. "We firmly believe that democratic values are universal, and are the basis for free, fair and peaceful societies. This is why we work tirelessly to empower human rights defenders," she said. Metsola highlighted what she perceived to be some of the key successes of the European Parliament over the years, not only in Europe but globally, adding that the European Parliament has been a key helper to the Verkhovna Rada with its reform process. She also commenting on the Ukraine conflict, saying that "Putin's illegal, unjustified and brutal invasion <...> has been a stark reminder that more work still lies ahead because there are still people in the world that believe in indefinite and absolute power and undermining the will of the people, in keeping women subdued and in weakening the already weak.” Organised by the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), the event is dedicated to the '10th anniversary of the European Parliament's democracy support activities’. Other speakers include former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, Vice-President of the European Commission Dubravka Suica and President of the Parliament of North Macedonia Talat Xhaferi, as well as Sakharov Prize laureates, democracy support experts and human rights defenders. The conference takes place on November 29-30. Copied from page https://www.ruptly.tv/en/videos/20221129-027-belgium-we-firmly-believe-that-democratic-values-are-universal-eu-s-metsola