"Around the world, democratic values are not yet a given for many people… The European Union is strongly committed to address these challenges and support worldwide democracy, as the system of governance that delivers to citizens and works for them, in line with the ambitious objectives put forward in the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy," the statement published on the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) website reads.
The bloc will continue its efforts to address crises, iniquity and injustice worldwide that force people to leave their home countries, lacking democratic values, the statement added.
The International Day of Democracy is celebrated on Thursday, September 15, under this year's theme "Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." The agenda of 2016 is based on the resolution adopted by UN member states in September 2015 and it seeks to improve life conditions in the future by eradicating extreme poverty and fighting inequity around the world.