WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso today stressed the European Union's support for the United Nations General Assembly first ever High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law. He pointed out that the topic means a lot to the EU as a Union of values and a community of law.

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"The rule of law is a core principle of the international system that this great institution - the United Nations - is at the heart of. This is why we wholeheartedly support the work of this high level meeting and the declaration we will adopt," President Barroso said.

"We recognize and welcome in particular the importance of linking the rule of law agenda to the work of the UN on peace and security, human rights and development as simultaneously pre-condition and enablers of democracy and the rule of law. This support is not simply declaratory. In each of the areas covered by the Declaration, the EU will make substantive pledges, backed up by concrete measures."

President Barroso also declared that "The rule of law is at the heart of our European Union; it is at the heart of the United Nations and it should assist and protect every person on this planet."

Full statement by President Barroso 

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SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States