As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
December 12, 2013
Mr. Chairman,
This morning the European Union’s highest court, the EU Court of Justice, set an EU-wide standard holding that in EU countries where gay and lesbian couples cannot marry, they must be given the same benefits as married couples if they enter into civil partnerships.
Mr. Chairman, this ruling represents an important step forward for the rights of individuals who are part of any couple across the EU. The United States wishes to be among the first to congratulate the European Union for this landmark decision, which was delivered during Human Rights Week.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.