The Lisbon Treaty (1)The Lisbon Treaty (1)

Stronger links with democratic principles (Articles 9, 10, 11) non-discrimination (Articles 18, 19)

Broader scope Reinforced Article 20: non-exhaustive list of rights

provided for «in the Treaties»

Reinforced autonomy «additional» to national citizenship

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The Lisbon Treaty (2)The Lisbon Treaty (2)

Citizens' initiativeCitizens' initiative

Citizens’ participation in democratic Citizens’ participation in democratic life of the Unionlife of the Union - dialogue between - dialogue between citizens and EU institutions citizens and EU institutions

Charter of fundamental rights:Charter of fundamental rights: ““the the Union ‘places the individual at the heart of its Union ‘places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing a citizenship of the activities, by establishing a citizenship of the Union”Union”

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New Commission impetusNew Commission impetus

President Barroso: “President Barroso: “reinforce EU reinforce EU citizenship by giving concrete effect to citizenship by giving concrete effect to citizens rights”citizens rights”

Creation of a "citizenship portfolio" Creation of a "citizenship portfolio"

Stockholm programme Action PlanStockholm programme Action Plan

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EU citizenship report 2010EU citizenship report 2010

First ever Commission report First ever Commission report

identifying practical problems Europeans identifying practical problems Europeans face when exercising their EU rights in face when exercising their EU rights in their daily lives their daily lives

proposing concrete, pragmatic solutions: proposing concrete, pragmatic solutions: 25 actions for the next 2-3- years25 actions for the next 2-3- years

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EU citizenship is the EU citizenship is the essential linkessential link between EU citizens and the rights and between EU citizens and the rights and benefits conferred to them by EU lawbenefits conferred to them by EU law

Despite EU rules guaranteeing citizens Despite EU rules guaranteeing citizens their rights, in reality numerous their rights, in reality numerous gaps gaps remain in remain in awareness and accessibilityawareness and accessibility of these rights of these rights

Main premisesMain premises

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New concrete meaning of EU New concrete meaning of EU citizenshipcitizenship

To remove obstacles preventing EU To remove obstacles preventing EU citizens from fully enjoying their rightscitizens from fully enjoying their rights

Citizens who extend aspects of their lives Citizens who extend aspects of their lives beyond national borders should be able to beyond national borders should be able to enjoy their rights as EU citizensenjoy their rights as EU citizens in the in the same way as they use their rights as same way as they use their rights as national citizensnational citizens

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The citizens' perspectiveThe citizens' perspective

Multi-disciplinary approach intended to Multi-disciplinary approach intended to overcome fragmentation of EU policiesovercome fragmentation of EU policies

Addressing obstacles faced by citizens asAddressing obstacles faced by citizens as private individuals, private individuals, consumers consumers residents, students and professionals, residents, students and professionals, political actors political actors

Citizen Kane moves …

Recognition of academic and professional qualifications, social security rights

Recognition of civil status documents Property rights of international couples Car registration Protection of victims of crime and of

persons accused in criminal proceedings Exercise of electoral rights

……or stays putor stays put

Shopping on line or from companies in Shopping on line or from companies in other EU countriesother EU countries

Travelling by all modes of transportTravelling by all modes of transport Buying holiday packagesBuying holiday packages Inheriting assets located in another EU Inheriting assets located in another EU

countrycountry In distress while travelling in a third In distress while travelling in a third

countrycountry

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Actions needed

Revision, updating, completion of legislation

Better enforcement on the ground

Streamlining of administrative procedures

Awareness raising

Electoral rights (1)

Decreasing turnout in EP elections: from 63% in 1979 to 43% in 2009

Additional requirements for registration

Impossible to join or found political parties

Disenfranchising

Electoral rights (2)

Solutions: Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement

Awareness-raising on EU citizenship, on impact of EU policies: Financial programmes, 2013 European Year of Citizens, Euronews

Access to information (1)

Less than one third (32%) of Europeans are «well» or «very well» informed of their rights

EU websites and assistance networks: «a well-kept secret for 70%» «too many, too general»   

Access to information (2)

Your Europe: one-stop-shop information point, accessible via:

web: http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope

phone:Europe Direct Contact Centre

live: 500 Europe Direct Information Centres

Only the beginning…

Debate with EU institutions, national parliaments and authorities, civil society and citizens

Full use of participatory tools and new rights provided by Lisbon Treaty

Bottom up approach + assessment of progress

2013 (European Year of Citizens): Action Plan

«Europe’s raison d’être «Europe’s raison d’être is to empower is to empower Europeans»Europeans»