Activities of Marie-Christine VERGIAT related to 2011/0217(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
European Year of Citizens (2013) (debate)
Amendments (35)
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a decision
Title
Title
Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Year of Citizenship (2013) (This amendment applies throughout the text: adopting it will necessitate corresponding changes throughout.)
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union provides that the Union is founded ‘on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy [and] equality’. The preamble to the Charter of Fundamental Rights provides that ‘the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity’. These values are essential for the exercise of citizenship. The preamble further states that the Union contributes to the preservation and to the development of these common values while respecting the diversity of the cultures and traditions of the peoples of Europe, and helps to uphold freedom of expression and information, the right to education, the freedom of the arts and of research, and academic freedom.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) Citizens and the associations representing them are central to the functioning of the Union. Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union stress the importance of participative democracy in all its aspects and the role citizens and their representative associations have in being able to make known and publically exchange their views in all areas of Union action. For this to be so, all the institutions of the Union should promote democratic participation in the decision-making process by means of an open, transparent and regular dialogue with said associations and with civil society and should consult widely with the parties concerned in order to ensure that the Union’s actions are coherent and transparent.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty strengthened the status of Union citizenship and complemented the rights attached to it, including by introducing a new right, the Citizens' Initiative, which enables one million citizens, from a significant number of Member States, to ask the Commission to present a proposal in any of the EU's areas of responsibility. Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens’ initiative will apply as from 1 April 2012. ______________ 1 OJ L 65, 11.3.2011, p. 1.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The rights inherent to citizenship of the Union are incorporated in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. According to the Charter's Preamble, the Union 'places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing a citizenship of the Union and by creating an area of freedom, security and justice'. ChapterTitle V of the Charter sets down "Citizens' rights", includingnotably, in its Article 45, the right of every citizen of the Union to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. Citizenship of the Union is not however limited to the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal and European elections, or to freedom of movement and residence, which are basic rights and freedoms, but also implies the capacity of all those living within the territory of the Union to be able to exercise all the political, civil, economic, cultural and social rights and fundamental freedoms recognised by international documents because they enable effective, active, direct or indirect participation in decision-making processes.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
- to consider and discuss the establishment of arrangements promoting the use of educational and cultural facilities, including in remote areas, to encourage debate about citizenship and especially its educational and cultural aspects;
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The exercise of citizenship presupposes the full and unimpeded exercise of civic and political rights, but also of social, economic and cultural rights, and also requires the recognition of cultural diversity and the development of activities, including cultural and civic activities, in which all members of the public can take part, including the most vulnerable groups (the disabled, people of immigrant descent, people who are socially and economically disadvantaged, etc.).
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) The Eurobarometer survey in October 20101 brought out the fact that only 43 % of people questioned said they knew the meaning of the term ‘citizen of the European Union’. In a subsequent survey 32 % of people questioned considered themselves to be well informed or very well informed about their rights as citizens of the Union2. In the same survey, less than 30 % of citizens considered that they could have a personal influence on processes in the Union, a figure that is down on previous surveys. __________________ 1 Flash Eurobarometer 294 ‘European Union citizenship: Analytical Report’. 2 Standard Eurobarometer 75, Spring 2011.
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 c (new)
Recital 3 c (new)
(3c) In addition, a special Eurobarometer survey in 20111 revealed that less than one third of citizens are satisfied with the effectiveness and the transparency of the Union’s administration, lack of transparency being the main cause of citizens’ discontent. These figures bear witness to the gulf that exists between citizens and the Union’s bodies, the low level of involvement in their operation and the growing doubts as to the legitimacy and validity of their decisions. __________________ 1 Special Eurobarometer / Wave 75.1.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 d (new)
Recital 3 d (new)
(3d) Turnout in European elections has been falling for 30 years, while at the same time the powers of the European Parliament have grown considerably; this reflects the growing gap between most EU policies on the one hand, and the values, principles, interests and expectations of citizens of the Union, on the other.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 e (new)
Recital 3 e (new)
(3e) The Charter of Fundamental Rights is binding, said rights are firmly anchored and the democratic process is being steadily strengthened, but despite all this these rights have not received sufficient attention or support from the Union.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Accordingly, the Stockholm Programme puts the citizen at the heart of European policies in the field of freedom, security and justice. It focuses its actions on ‘building a citizen’s Europe’, including by ensuring the full exercise of the citizens' right to free movement and residence.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Article 9 of the Treaty on European Union establishes the principle of the equality of citizens. This principle needs to be incorporated into preparations for the European Year so that the discrimination suffered by certain groups of citizens or certain minorities is taken into account and so that everyone is able to exercise all the rights to which they are entitled, and in particular that of participating in the life of the Union, irrespective of their origins, age, sex, sexual orientation, wealth, disability, belief or religion.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Since its introduction in the 1957 Treaty of Rome as one of the four fundamental freedoms, the right to free movement and residence has demonstrated its value as one of the pillars for the creation of a single market for the benefit of both Member States' economies and of individual citizensof European integration.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Freedom of thought, expression and information, and media pluralism and independence, are essential principles for the exercise of citizenship. Public relations by the Union’s institutions, and in particular the Commission, should focus more on the need to inform, and be understood by, as many people as possible. The Commission should liaise more closely with representatives of local, regional and national authorities, including the Union’s bodies, its institutions’ Information Offices in the Member States, civil society representatives, including at European level, and the media, including local and regional media, to enable citizens to better understand the impact of EU policies and legislation on national and local policies, to assume ownership of these and to influence better developments in the European Union.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) Education, provided it is accessible to all, plays a vitally important role in the formation of today’s citizens and those of the future by enabling them to acquire a solid basis of general knowledge, including an informed understanding of European integration, of the history and cultures of the European peoples and of current trends and developments. In this respect civic education is essential as a means of enabling individuals to participate fully in democratic, social and cultural life and to regard themselves as true citizens of the Union from as early an age as possible.
Amendment 75 #
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 fromlinked to 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, among other rights conferred upon Union citizens, therefore contributes to making Union citizenship a tangible reality in the daily life of citizens.
Amendment 80 #
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 uncertaintydoubts over the advantages of being mobile, Union citizens perceive too many practical obstacles with regard to living and working elsewhere in the Union, quite apart from the current economic and social crisis.
Amendment 87 #
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 movementmove and reside freely anywhere in the EU. These awareness raising efforts must be carried out in cooperation with civil society organisations, particularly associations, the media and local and regional authorities, with full respect for the independence of these social stakeholders.
Amendment 89 #
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. As all Union citizens are potential beneficiaries of this right, awareness raising effortsenjoy this right and may exercise it as they see fit, awareness raising efforts stressing the right to reside freely anywhere in the EU, to which it is most commonly linked, should be made across the Union.
Amendment 93 #
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, including those concerning cross-border healthcare, 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. 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. The insertion proposed here is linked to the following amendment, which proposes deleting a large portion of text that includes references to healthcare.Or. fr
Amendment 95 #
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 consumers are effectively protected, 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.they are confident that their rights as
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) AwarenessKnowledge 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. At the same time, political participation can contribute to the integration of Union citizens into the society of their chosen Member States of residence. Citizens should learn about the history of Europe and its peoples and about EU institutions from as early an age as possible so as to be in a position to take a full and active part in European processes and the Union’s political and democratic life.
Amendment 107 #
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 inter alia to the objective of facilitating the exercise of the right to free movement, with the involvement of civil society representatives, particularly associations.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) Union funding for other aActivities other than those funded under the budget of the European Year may be giwhich help achieven through existing Union programmes ore objectives of this year and which are funded by the Union through the Structural Funds, or existing particularrogrammes such as the ‘'Europe for Citizens’' programme and the ‘'Fundamental Rights and Citizenship’ programme' programme, or the various EU education, youth, media or de culture programmes should also be involved in this context,
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – 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 ofand knowledge of and develop all aspects of the concept of Union citizenship, so that citizens can exercise all their rights, including their right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, and take a full and active part in the democratic life 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 student, exchanges and mobility available to Union citizens, particularly students, retired persons, workers, consumers, and providers of goods and services across the Union, whatever the Member State in which they live.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2 a (new)
– to develop communications networks and tools to provide information in all the EU languages about the policies adopted at European level and their impact on everyday life, including those networks and tools which serve to reinforce dialogue with European institutions and influence policy making;
Amendment 126 #
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 and residence, as an inalienable aspect of Union citizenship, in particular in terms of strengthening societal cohesion and mu, cultural understanding between Union citizens and the bond between citizens and the Uniondiversity and understanding and mutual respect between all women and men living in the Union, while also raising awareness of continued obstacles to the exercise of that right.
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 1
– information, education and awareness raising campaigns targeted at the general public and more specific audiences, in collaboration with local, regional and national authorities and civil society associations and organisations, particularly those operating at European level;
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2
– exchange of information, sharing of experience and good practices of national, regional, local administrations and other organisations, including civil society associations and organisations;
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 3
– conferences and events, in association with representatives of civil society, and open to the widest possible cross-section of the public, to promote debate and raise public awareness of the importance and benefits of the right to free movement and residence and more generally citizens' rights as Union citizensEuropean history and integration, Union policies and their impact on everyday life, the benefits of the right to free movement and residence, exchange opportunities, particularly in the cultural and educational field, and more generally the rights of citizens living in the Union;
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
– use of the existing multilingual participatory tools to stimulate citizens' contributions in giving tangible effect to their rights and more generally in achievinghelp citizens understand their rights and be able to exercise them in accordance with the objectives of the European Year;
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4 a (new)
– the development of more extensive contacts with the media, particularly local and regional media, to establish a basis for more direct communication between the public and the institutions, and further development of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting the provision of information about the Union to the general public;
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
The Commission shall convene meetings of representatives of European organisations civil society associations or bodies active in the field of citizenship and in defending citizens' rights and, educational and cultural rights and the rights of stakeholders to assist the Commission in implementing the European Year at Union level.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4a Budget The European Year shall be endowed with a budget of EUR 5 million.