Prime Minister Robert Abela and fifteen other EU leaders have signed a declaration of commitment against LGBTIQ discrimination.
In preparation for the International Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride Day on Monday, and in light of shocking developments taking place particularly in Hungary and Poland, sixteen EU leaders have signed a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and Prime Minister of Portugal, currently holding the EU Presidency, António Costa, urging them to continue the fight against LGBTIQ discrimination.
The letter was signed by:
- Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France
- Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
- Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
- Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain
- Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark
- Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy
- Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of The Netherlands
- Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium
- Paja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia
- Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece
- Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus
- Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland
- Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden
- Krišjānis Kariņš, Prime Minister of Latvia
- Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland
In the letter, EU leaders declare that “we are diverse and tolerant societies, committed to the unhindered development of the personality of each one of our citizens, including their sexual orientation and gender identity. Over the last few years, we have walked a long way in favour of these principles, which we believe to be the bedrock of the European Union.”
“Respect and tolerance are at the core of the European project. We are committed to carry on with this effort, making sure that future European generations grow up in an atmosphere of equality and respect.”
The letter, to be published before today’s European Council meeting here in Brussels, comes a day after the European Commission announced it will take legal action against Hungary’s new anti-LGBTIQ legislation.
