Activities of Heinz K. BECKER related to 2011/0217(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Year of Citizens (2013)
Amendments (29)
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In its "Resolution of 15 December on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union (2009) - effective implementation after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon" the European Parliament called on the Commission to devote the 2013 European Year to citizenship in order to give momentum to the debate on Union citizenship and inform Union citizens of their new rights, in particular the new rights resulting from the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, such as the "European Citizens' Initiative" and the individual rights in the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In particular, free movement and workers' mobility help addressing the consequences of demographic change on the labour market, while also increasing the employability of people and improving the competitiveness of European industries. Furthermore, against the current backdrop of alarmingly high unemployment figures in individual Member States, they provide an opportunity to bring labour supply and demand more into kilter again and, as a result, help ease tensions on the European labour market. At the same time, free movement either enables, as an essential condition, or stimulates the exercise by citizens of a broad range of rights available to them under Union law, such as their rights as consumers to access goods and services or their rights as passengers and tourists. Facilitating free movement has therefore the potential to enhance citizens' possibilities to fully benefit from the single market, whilst being a key driver for growth.
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Given that the right to free movement significantly improves individuals' lives, it is vital that easily accessible, transparent information about the existence of this right and, the conditions for exercising itexercise of which also includes obligations to be met by citizens (e.g. proof of regular employment after three months’ residence), is available as broadly as possible. As all Union citizens are potential beneficiaries of this right, awareness raising efforts should be made across the Union.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In this context, citizens should also be better informed of their rights as passengers travelling by any transport mode across the European Union and of their consumer rights across borders. If they are confident that their rights as consumers are effectively protected, and they have full access to low-cost and straightforward dispute settlement procedures (e.g. in connection with on- line purchases), they will contribute more to the development of the European-wide market for goods and services to its full potential and better enjoy its benefits. In the same vein, citizens should be better informed about rules on general product safety and market surveillance, so as to be aware of how their health and their rights are protected throughout the EU, particularly when it comes to threats or risks that they cannot deal with as individuals. It would be further important to enhance citizens' awareness of their rights to cross-border healthcare, so that they are able to fully benefit from safe and good quality healthcare across European borders. In this connection, reference should also be made to the vast potential of eHealth and telemedicine for simplification of cross-border health care, but also for improving the quality and increasing the efficiency of national medical services.
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States is highly valued by Union citizens as a core individual right deriving from Union citizenship. As such, it demonstrates and promotes a better understanding of the value of European integration, as well as citizens' participation in shaping the European Union. When extending aspects of their lives beyond national borders by travelling to other Member States or settling there, citizens become aware and take advantage of the broad array of rights granted to them under Union law in cross- border situations. Exercising the right to free movement and residence therefore contributes to making Union citizenship a tangible reality in the daily life of citizens and to strengthening cohesion and togetherness.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Enhanced citizens' awareness of the benefits of these rights for them individually and for society can also contribute to a stronger sense of belonging and adherence to the Union. That applies not only to rights in connection with freedom of movement and mobility for citizens, but also to rights, as Union citizens, for the exercise of which they do not have to leave their country of origin(e.g. on-line purchasing from another Union country, air passengers' rights in connection with domestic flights, cross-border successions or various political rights). The information campaigns carried out as part of the European Year must therefore also comprehensively communicate the added value of such rights and, in so doing, ensure that all Union citizens, without exception, become fully aware of their Union citizenship.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) A European Year of Citizens in 2013 will provide a very timely opportunity to raise the awareness of the general public about the rights attached to Union citizenship and thus to contribute to the objective of facilitating the exercise of the right to free movement and all other Union citizens’ rights. In this connection, broadly based and effective reporting on the Union by all Member States’ public television, radio and Internet broadcasters plus stepped-up media cooperation (e.g. with Euronews) should successfully strengthen the flow of information for citizens.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The primary responsibility for raising citizens' awareness of their rights as Union citizens rests with Member States; a. They should discharge their obligations to the full and meet their responsibility for the Europe we share. This includes providing an intensive flow of accompanying information and targeted reporting on the activities of all EU institutions. Action at Union level complements and supplements national actions in this respect, as highlighted in the political declaration "Communicating Europe in Partnership" signed on 22 October 2008 by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
(25a) A thorough evaluation of the outcomes of the measures carried out as part of the European Year of Citizens is a prerequisite for the success of future European Years. The objective must be a comprehensive assessment of how the European Year was run and what its tangible impact was, which, in some cases, includes comparable quantitative factors (e.g. how many persons were targeted by what measures).
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The general purpose of the European Year shall be to enhance awareness of the rights attached to Union citizenship, in order to help citizens make full use of their right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, as well as all other Union citizens’ rights. In this context, the European Year shall focus, among others, on the opportunities for civic participation and access to rights by Union citizens residing in another Member State than their own, by students, workers, consumers, and providers of goods and services across the Union.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– to raise Union citizens' awareness of their right to move and reside freely within the European Union and more generally the rights guaranteed to Union citizens in cross-border situations, including their right to participate in the democratic life of the Union, with particular account being taken of the new European Citizens’ Initiative;
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
– to raise Union citizens' awareness of how they can tangibly benefit from Union rights and policies while living in another Member State, and to stimulate their active participation in civic fora on Union policies and issueof what conditions must be met in order to exercise those rights;
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
– to stimulate the active participation of Union citizens in civic fora on Union policies and issues;
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Awareness of the electoral rights guaranteed to Union citizens is of primary importance in this respect. Union citizens should be fully aware of their right to vote and stand as candidates in the municipal and European Parliament elections in their Member State of residence. Citizens (regardless of whether they are organised in political parties, associations, NGOs or initiatives) should also be well informed about their opportunities to be actively involved in European policy-making. At the same time, political participation can contribute to the integration of Union citizens into the society of their chosen Member States of residence.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 a (new)
– to create awareness of the fact that not only individuals who leave their country of origin benefit from their status as Union citizens, but that the rights associated with Union citizenship provide every European Union citizen in their homeland, without exception, with tangible added value in their everyday lives too.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) A European Year of Citizens in 2013 will provide a very timely opportunity to raise the awareness of the general public about the rights attached to Union citizenship and thus to contribute to the objective of facilitating the exercise of the right to free movement and strengthening European solidarity, European identity and awareness of European values.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Raising awareness about citizens' rights, including their electoral rights in their Member State of residence, is also important in view of the European Parliament elections in 2014. The impact of such awareness raising actions should be multiplied through close coordination and exploitation of synergies with relevant actions implemented by other Union institutions, notably the European Parliament, and by Member States in the run up to these elections. Wide-ranging and effective reporting on EU matters by public TV/radio/internet service providers from all Member States and greater media cooperation (e.g. with Euronews) would successfully enhance the flow of information for citizens.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The primary responsibility for raising citizens' awareness of their rights as Union citizens rests with the Member States; a, which should carry out their obligations to the full and show they are aware of their responsibility for the Europe we share. This includes providing an intensive flow of accompanying information and targeted reporting on the activities of the EU institutions. Action at Union level complements and supplements national actions in this respect, as highlighted in the political declaration "Communicating Europe in Partnership" signed on 22 October 2008 by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 5
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 5
– strengthening of the role and visibility of the information networks physically consultable in the Member States and the multilingual Europe Direct and Your Europe web portal as key elements of a 'one-stop-shop' information system on Union citizens' rights;
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
to raise Union citizens' awareness of their right to move and reside freely within the European Union and more generally the rights guaranteed to Union citizens in cross-border situations, including their right to participate in the democratic life ofand democratic opinion formation in the Union;
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 a (new)
– active support for comprehensive and objective media reporting on the part of the Member States.
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall cooperate closely with Member States and bodies and associations which represent local and regional interests, in particular the Committee of Regions. In that way, too, Member States will meet their responsibility for the success of the European Year.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
– to raise Union citizens' awareness of how they can tangibly benefit from Union rights and policies while living in another Member State, and to stimulate their active participation in civic fora on Union policies and i, issues and political processues;
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
The Commission shall convene meetings of representatives of European organisations or bodies active in the field of defending citizens' rights and stakeholders, such as the European social partners, for example, to assist the Commission in implementing the European Year at Union level.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 a (new)
- highlighting the importance of the European Citizen’s Initiative, an instrument that seeks to permit direct involvement by citizens in the formation of EU policy;
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 b (new)
- introduction of a requirement for comprehensive and objective reporting in the Member States on the activities of the EU institutions;
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 6 c (new)
- better information for citizens on the right of petition to the European Parliament and the right to apply to the European Ombudsman.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
(3) The Commission and the Member States may identify otherare called on to identify additional activities as contributing to objectives of the European Year and allow the name of the European Year to be used in promoting those activities insofar as they contribute to achieving the objectives set out in Article 2.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5a The Commission and Council shall ensure that sufficient budgetary resources are available for the successful completion of the European Year of Citizens (2013) and of the activities called for in that connection, in order to ensure the achievement of its objectives.