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Ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting on 26 and 27 June which – amongst other things – is set to agree on the future strategic priorities in the area of justice, Vice-President Viviane Reding outlined the European Commission's contribution to the broader reflection and her personal vision on the future EU justice policy: "My call to national leaders at the European (...)

Following the EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meeting in Athens, Vice-President Reding has welcomed the U.S. announcement to take legislative action in order to provide judicial redress for Europeans who do not live in the U.S. Vice-President Reding said: "The announcement made by the Attorney General of the U.S. Mr Eric Holder to take legislative action (...)

Viviane Reding is taking up her seat in the European Parliament, following her victory in the European elections in May 2014.

The Justice portfolio is new – it was only created with the start of this European Commission, under the leadership of President José Manuel Barroso, in 2010. I am thus the first EU Justice Commissioner who is also responsible for citizenship and fundamental rights. My department, the Directorate General for Justice, deals with a wide range of areas such as civil and commercial law, consumer protection legislation, data protection, criminal law, free movement of citizens and equality legislation.



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Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights must be more than concepts. Fundamental rights are the foundation on which the European Union is built: they must be continuously respected and protected. This commitment is laid down in the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights – Europe's "Bill of Rights" and the most modern codification of fundamental rights recognised in national constitutions.



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