Open and regular dialogue
The religious dialogue was established in the early 1990s by European Commission President Jacques Delors. It recognises the specific contribution of churches, religious and non-confessional organisations to society.
Currently Vice-President Margaritis Schinas is responsible for the dialogue (Website)
On 2 October 2017, Mr Vincent Depaigne has been appointed as Coordinator for the dialogue between the European Commission and churches, religious associations or communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations, succeeding Ms Katharina von Schnurbein who had served in this function from January 2012 to July 2017.
Contribute to the exchange on Twitter: #Art17Dialogue
Background
With the Treaty of Lisbon, the dialogue between European institutions and churches, religious associations or communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations has a legal basis in Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
In July 2013, the European Commission published Guidelines on the implementation of Article 17, which set the framework for this "open, transparent and regular dialogue".