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

07/10/20152 The Lisbon Treaty (2) Citizens' initiative Citizens' initiative Citizens’ participation in democratic life of the Union - dialogue between citizens and EU institutions Citizens’ participation in democratic life of the Union - dialogue between citizens and EU institutions  Charter of fundamental rights: “the Union ‘places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing a citizenship of the Union”

07/10/20153 New Commission impetus  President Barroso: “reinforce EU citizenship by giving concrete effect to citizens rights”  Creation of a "citizenship portfolio"  Stockholm programme Action Plan

07/10/20154 EU citizenship report 2010 First ever Commission report  identifying practical problems Europeans face when exercising their EU rights in their daily lives  proposing concrete, pragmatic solutions: 25 actions for the next 2-3- years

07/10/20155  EU citizenship is the essential link between EU citizens and the rights and benefits conferred to them by EU law  Despite EU rules guaranteeing citizens their rights, in reality numerous gaps remain in awareness and accessibility of these rights Main premises

07/10/20156 New concrete meaning of EU citizenship  To remove obstacles preventing EU citizens from fully enjoying their rights  Citizens who extend aspects of their lives beyond national borders should be able to enjoy their rights as EU citizens in the same way as they use their rights as national citizens

07/10/20157 The citizens' perspective  Multi-disciplinary approach intended to overcome fragmentation of EU policies  Addressing 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 put  Shopping on line or from companies in other EU countries  Travelling by all modes of transport  Buying holiday packages  Inheriting assets located in another EU country  In distress while travelling in a third country 07/10/20159

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:  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 is to empower Europeans»