Dr. Ona Jukneviciene

Member of the European Parliament Chairwoman of the Central Asian Delegation

Dear Participants and Guests of the Eurasian Media Forum 2005,
On the behalf of the European Parliament's Central Asia Delegation, I welcome all of you to the 2005 Eurasian Media Forum.

The initiative to organize Eurasian Media Forum is extremely welcome as different Asian countries and interest groups from those countries have a unique opportunity to raise the issues of utmost concern, share their experiences and discuss the ways of making Asia a more democratic and open place to the world,
Bringing the countries together and involving them into a continuous co-operation is a very positive sign indicating that Asian countries are willing to engage into a process which would help to enhance democracy and promote the observance, protection and respect for human rights. Indeed, the countries of Asia can only become open to the world if they firmly adhere to the values which are of universal importance, and in particular, the protection of human rights, observance of the rule of law, the development and strengthening of democracy and civil society.

I truly hope that the outcomes of this Forum would contribute significantly towards the creation of open democratic Asian societies which protect, respect and share the same values with the European Union.