Activities of Jean LAMBERT related to 2011/0217(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
European Year of Citizens (2013) (debate)
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 (19)
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In particular, free movement and workers' voluntary 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. 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 8
Recital 8
(8) The right to move and, reside, work and study freely within the territory of the Member States is highly valued by Union citizens as a core individual right and a fundamental freedom deriving from Union citizenship. As such, it demonstrates and promotes a better understanding of the value of European integration and inclusion, 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, working, studying 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.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Despite the fact that the right to free movement and residence is firmly anchored in primary Union law and substantially developed in secondary law, a gap still remains between the applicable legal rules and the reality confronting citizens when they seek to exercise this right in practice. Aside from an uncertainty over the advantages of being mobile, Union citizens perceive too many practical obstacles with regard to living and working elsewhere in the Union and often face difficulties relating to their nationality, social and marital status, such as the rights of international couples, portability of pensions and social security rights or access to public services. Improving the effective exercise of rights by citizens and removing the practical obstacles should be the key objectives of this European Year of Citizens.
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In the EU Citizenship Report 2010 ‘"Dismantling the obstacles to EU citizens’' rights‘", the Commission addressed the main obstacles which citizens still encounter in their daily lives when they seek to exercise their rights as Union citizens, in particular in cross-border situations and outlined 25 concrete actions to remove these obstacles. One of the obstacles identified in this context was lack of information. The Commission concluded, in the EU Citizenship Report 2010, that Union citizens are prevented from enjoying their rights because they lack awareness of them and announced its intention to step up the dissemination of information to Union citizens about their rights, in particular about their right to free movement. In order to increase awareness, communication must be in all official languages of the Union and be addressed and accessible to all citizens. The use of digital communication tools can be increased. Specific actions could target disabled people, vulnerable groups or third-country nationals who often have more difficulties in access information and exercising their rights.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Given that the right to free movement significantly improves individuals' lives, it is vital that information about the existence of this right and the conditions for exercising it is available as broadly as possible. It should therefore be easily accessible in all the official languages of the Union and for people with disabilities. As all Union citizens are potential beneficiaries of this right, awareness raising efforts should be made across the Union.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) However, to enable Union citizens to make informed decisions about whether to exercise their right to free movement, it does not suffice to raise their awareness about the right to free movement itself; it is essential that Union citizens are also adequately informed about other rights available to them under Union law in a cross-border context. This information and about the existing restrictions on those rights. This information, which should be accessible by all citizens in all the official languages of the Union, will also enable them to fully enjoy these rights, if they decide to make use of their right to free movement and to protect their rights without discrimination or unequal treatment.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In particular, Union citizens considering whether to make use of their right to free movement should be informed about their rights to acquire or preserve social security rights by virtue of the Union rules on coordination of social security systems; these rules ensure that they will not lose out on their social security rights when choosing to move within Europe, and they are also important for workers posted within the Union. They should further be informed about their right to obtain recognition of their professional qualifications and about the social and civic competences which form part of the European framework of ‘Key Competences for lifelong learning’ and which can equip them to fully participate in civic life and empower them to exercise their rights under Union law. Specific actions could be implemented to raise awareness of their rights to volunteer, to study abroad, to do an internship in an other Member State or to take part in Union education exchange programmes, such as Erasmus, Leonardo or Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs.
Amendment 75 #
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, study and work 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;
Amendment 76 #
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, whileether at home or when living in another Member State, of how they can effectively exercise their rights and to stimulate their active participation in civic fora on Union policies and issues;
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Despite the fact that the right to free movement and residence is firmly anchored in primary Union law and substantially developed in secondary law, a gap still remains between the applicable legal rules and the reality confronting citizens when they seek to exercise this right in practice. Aside from an uncertainty over the advantages of being mobile, Union citizens perceive too many practical obstacles with regard to living and working elsewhere in the Union and often face difficulties relating to their nationality, social and marital status, such as the rights of international couples, portability of pensions and social security rights or access to public services. Improving the effective exercise of rights by citizens and removing the practical obstacles should be the key objectives of this European Year of Citizens.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
– to stimulate a debate about the impact and potential of the right to free movement, as an inalienable aspect of Union citizenship and as a fundamental freedom, in particular in terms of strengthening societal cohesion and mutual understanding between Union citizens and the bond between citizens and the Union.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
– information, education and awareness raising campaigns, in all Union languages, targeted at the general public and more specific audiences, with equal treatment and without discrimination, such as disabled people, vulnerable groups, third- country nationals, Roma people or citizens of future Member States;
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In the EU Citizenship Report 2010 ‘Dismantling the obstacles to EU citizens’ rights‘, the Commission addressed the main obstacles which citizens still encounter in their different roles (as consumers, residents, tourists, students, professionals, volunteers, political actors, people with disabilities) in their daily lives when they seek to exercise their rights as Union citizens, in particular in cross-border situations and outlined 25 concrete actions to remove these obstacles. One of the obstacles identified in this context was lack of information, in combination with language difficulties. The Commission concluded, in the EU Citizenship Report 2010, that Union citizens are prevented from enjoying their rights because they lack awareness of them and announced its intention to step up the dissemination of information to Union citizens about their rights, in particular about their right to free movement. . Such information should be provided in all official languages of the Union and also available in appropriate formats for those with particular disabilities.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 5
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 5
– strengthening of the role and visibility of the multilingual Europe Direct and Your Europe web portal as key elements of a ‘'one-stop-shop’' information system on Union citizens' rights;, especially with an increasing use of digital communication tools and social networks.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
The Commission shall also cooperate closely with the European Economic and Social Committee and the social partners.
Amendment 103 #
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 to assist the Commission in implementing the European Year at Union level. The Commission shall work closely with civil society organisations and citizens. The Commission shall work closely with organisations which are representative of specific audiences, such as disabled people, vulnerable groups, third-country nationals, Roma people or citizens of future Member States.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) The right to information about accessing one's rights within the Union should also include those resident or travelling within the Union or otherwise directly affected by Union legislation.
Amendment 119 #
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. 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, volunteers, consumers, and providers of goods and services across the Union.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Each Member State shall appoint a national coordinator responsible for organising its involvement in the European Year. Each Member State shall inform the European Parliament and the Commission of its work programme, which shall include details of the national as well as regional and local activities planned under the European Year. The national coordinators shall work independently and shall also verify that national activities are implemented in accordance with the objectives listed in Article 2 and are properly coordinated and that stakeholders, including social partners and a diverse range of civil society organisations are fully involved in the design and implementation of the European Year at national, regional and local level.