News

Open letter to the Presidents of the pro-European political parties in Greece

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:53:00 +0200

Ladies and gentlemen,

Europe is without doubt going through the most difficult period of its post-war history, since the time that its leaders and peoples decided to follow a common path to peace, security and economic development.

Over the last decades, European Federalists have stayed loyal to this vision. We asked for more Europe, strived for institutional unity, demanded democratic reform. We achieved a lot, yet still more is needed now.

The fight for a better Europe was – and is – a cross-partisan fight of ideas that transcends the political establishment in Member States.

All those who believe in the idea of a truly United Europe realise that today, despite our differences, despite our different approaches, the time has come to take the big fundamental decisions that will determine the future of our Union.

The contribution of Greece to the Union has been decisive: in the relations of the EU with the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean Basin, in the establishment of the Integrated Mediterranean Programme and subsequently the Structural Funds, in the evolution of the European institutions to their present form.

Greece’s position lies in the heart of Europe. However it is not enough that European politicians adhere to this statement. It must be proven by the Greek citizens.

We are gravely concerned that a large number of Greek voters refused to participate in the election of May 6 or supported extremist parties opposed to the European path of the country.

The new elections will determine Greece´s place in Europe.

We call upon all pro-European parties in Greece which belong or seek to belong to the big European political families to present the Greek people with clear and realistic proposals for the resolution of the crisis within the framework of the EU and the Eurozone, to increase their efforts for a common electoral platform of parties which belong to the same political family in order to allow all pro-European forces to be represented in the next Parliament, and to underline the need for post-electoral cooperation between parties belonging to different political families on a programmatic basis. The common goal for all must be to maintain and strengthen Greece’s European path in the difficult time that lies ahead, a process that other countries have been through or are currently in.

The EU has certainly committed several mistakes and has strayed away from its path at times. Yet it remains the only successful example of transnational cooperation for peace, security and prosperity worldwide. Greece has no choice but to remain in the heart of this endeavour. We cannot allow the sacrifices of the Greek people and their contribution to Europe over the past 30 years to have been in vain.

European Federalists believe that the future of Europe lies in the hands of its citizens.

Andrew Duff Philipp Agathonos Nikos Lampropoulos
UEF President UEF Vice-President President of UEF Greece

Ανοιχτή επιστολή προς τους προέδρους των Ελληνικών φιλο-ευρωπαϊκών κομμάτων

Κυρίες και κύριοι!

Η Ευρώπη περνά ίσως την πιο δύσκολη περίοδο της μεταπολεμικής της ιστορίας, από τότε που οι ηγέτες και οι λαοί της αποφάσισαν ότι η κοινή πορεία και η κοινή μοίρα είναι ο μόνος δρόμος για την ειρήνη, την ασφάλεια και την οικονομική ανάπτυξη.

Οι Ευρωπαίοι Φεντεραλιστές μείναμε πιστοί όλες αυτές τις δεκαετίες στο όραμα αυτό. Ζητήσαμε περισσότερη Ευρώπη, παλέψαμε για τη θεσμική ενοποίηση, διεκδικήσαμε τον εκδημοκρατισμό της. Πετύχαμε πολλά, μένουν ακόμα περισσότερα.

Ο αγώνας για μια καλύτερη Ευρώπη ήταν –και είναι- αγώνας διακομματικός, αγώνας ιδεών που διαπερνούν οριζόντια το πολιτικό κατεστημένο σε όλες τις χώρες μέλη.

Όσοι πιστεύουμε στην ιδέα μιας πραγματικά Ενωμένης Ευρώπης αντιλαμβανόμαστε σήμερα ότι –παρά τις διαφορές μας, παρά τις διαφορετικές μας προσεγγίσεις- τώρα είναι ώρα μεγάλων, κομβικών αποφάσεων που θα καθορίσουν την ιστορική συνέχεια της Ένωσης.

Στη μέχρι σήμερα πορεία της Ένωσης η συνεισφορά της Ελλάδας ήταν καθοριστική. Στη σχέση της ΕΕ με τα Βαλκάνια και τη Μεσόγειο. Στη δημιουργία των ΜΟΠ και στη συνέχεια των Διαρθρωτικών Ταμείων. Στη διαμόρφωση των θεσμών όπως τους γνωρίζουμε σήμερα.

Η θέση της Ελλάδας είναι στην καρδιά της Ευρώπης. Όμως αυτό δεν αρκεί να το δηλώνουν οι Ευρωπαίοι πολιτικοί. Οφείλουν να το αποδείξουν οι Έλληνες.

Το μεγάλο ποσοστό των Ελλήνων ψηφοφόρων που αρνήθηκε να συμμετάσχει στις εκλογές της 6ης Μαΐου ή στήριξε τα κόμματα των άκρων που εναντιώνονται στην ευρωπαϊκή πορεία της χώρας μας ανησυχεί σοβαρά.

Οι νέες εκλογές θα καθορίσουν τη θέση της Ελλάδας στην Ευρώπη.

Καλούμε όλα τα φιλοευρωπαϊκά ελληνικά κόμματα που ανήκουν ή επιθυμούν να ενταχθούν στις μεγάλες ευρωπαϊκές πολιτικές οικογένειες να παρουσιάσουν στον ελληνικό λαό σαφείς και ρεαλιστικές προτάσεις για τη διέξοδο της χώρας από την κρίση στα πλαίσια της Ε.Ε. και της Ευρωζώνης, να εντείνουν τις προσπάθειες συνεργασίας, κομμάτων που ανήκουν στον ίδιο πολιτικό χώρο ώστε να εκπροσωπηθούν όλες οι φιλοευρωπαϊκές δυνάμεις στη νέα Βουλή και να υπογραμμίσουν την ανάγκη μετεκλογικής συνεργασίας σε προγραμματική βάση. Κοινός στόχος πρέπει να είναι η διατήρηση της ευρωπαϊκής πορεία της Ελλάδας και η ενίσχυσή της στο δύσκολο δρόμο που έχει μπροστά της, δρόμο που άλλες χώρες ήδη έχουν διανύσει και άλλες διανύουν παράλληλα.

Η Ε.Ε. έχει σίγουρα κάνει πολλά λάθη και έχει χάσει το δρόμο της πολλές φορές. Παραμένει όμως αδιαπραγμάτευτα το μοναδικό παγκόσμια επιτυχημένο πείραμα συνεργασίας για την ειρήνη, για την ασφάλεια και ναι για την ευημερία. Η Ελλάδα δεν μπορεί παρά να παραμείνει στην καρδιά του εγχειρήματος αυτού. Οι θυσίες των Ελλήνων και η προσφορά τους τα τελευταία 30 χρόνια δεν είναι δυνατόν να χαθούν.

Οι Ευρωπαίοι Φεντεραλιστές είμαστε πεπεισμένοι ότι η Ευρώπη έχει το χαρακτήρα που της δίνουμε εμείς!

Andrew Duff MEP Φίλιππος Αγάθωνος Νίκος Λαμπρόπουλος

Προόεδρος UEF Αντιπρόεδρος UEF Πρόεδρος ΕΚΕΦ

Fiskalpakt einhalten!

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:24:00 +0200

In seiner Erklärung sagte Andrew Duff MdEP:

"Es ist zu einfach für die um Stimmen werbenden Hitzköpfe, den neuen Vertrag zu zerstören. Was würden sie an seine Stelle setzen? Die Briten werden zu diesem Zeitpunkt ein Veto gegen die allgemeine Überprüfung der EU-Verträge einlegen. Somit ist der Fiskalpakt notwendig. Es verstärkt den Druck der Marktdisziplin und den gegenseitigen Druck, dem alle europäischen Regierungen jetzt unterworfen sind.

Der neue Vertrag ist das zentrale Instrument, um den Europäischen Stabilitätsmechanismus zu stärken, ohne ihn würde das Vertrauen in den Markt zerstört. Der Vertrag ist aber nicht die dauerhafte Lösung der politischen und wirtschaftlichen Probleme Europas. Es ist auf jeden Fall ein konföderaler Vertrag, der übergangsweise dient, Europa zurück zur Budgetdisziplin zu helfen, das politische Vertrauen zurück zu gewinnen, um dann weiter die föderale Union zu entwickeln.

Die Wahl von François Hollande eröffnet neue Perspektiven für Europa, wie auch die Ernennung von Mario Monti zum Regierungschef in Italien. Das ist ein heikler Moment. Sofern sich das EU-Reformprogramm nicht etabliert, wird die Strukturreform ins Stocken geraten und schnelleres Wirtschaftswachstum wird nicht zu erreichen sein. Unter den Umständen einer Schulden-Deflationsspirale, wird die Gefahr für die Demokratie wachsen und das europäische Projekt, das wir heute feiern, ernsthaft gefährdet.

Ich habe keinen Zweifel, dass Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet zum Fiskalpakt, als entscheidenden Schritt zur Bewältigung der gegenwärtigen Krise Europas, „Ja“ sagen würden. Sie würden aber auch zu einer echten Fiskalunion übergehen: Solidarisch, letztlich auch bekundet durch die gesamtschuldnerische Haftung von Staatsschulden und einer demokratisch verantwortlichen föderalen Regierung, die eine gemeinsame Wirtschaftspolitik macht.

Dies bleibt das Ziel der UEF an diesem Schuman-Tag. Wir rufen die Wähler, insbesondere in Griechenland und Irland, dazu auf, zu tun, was nun getan werden muss, um die Aufgabe des Aufbaus einer europäischen Demokratie wieder auf den richtigen Weg zu bringen. Es hat keinen Sinn ‘Europa’ die Schuld zuzuschieben. Wir schaffen Europa gemeinsam – wir sind Europa."

Pressemitteilung auf Englisch und Französisch.

Le traité budgétaire, une nécessité vitale

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:07:00 +0200

Le député européen Andrew Duff déclare:

"Il est facile pour les aficionados de la propagande électoraliste d'attaquer le nouveau traité. Mais que proposent-ils à la place? A ce stade, les britanniques apposeront leur veto à une révision générale des traités de l'UE. Dans ces conditions, le traité budgétaire est un expédient nécessaire. Il ajoute à la discipline qu'impose les marchés et à la pression des pairs auxquelles tous les gouvernements européens sont désormais assujettis.

Le nouveau traité est par ailleurs l'outil indispensable pour déclencher le mécanisme européen de stabilité sans lequel la confiance des marchés sera définitivement sapée. Mais le traité n'est pas une solution durable et il ne résoudra pas les problèmes politiques et économiques de l'Europe. Il est un traité de type confédéral, dont l'utilité disparaitra une fois l'Europe revenue à la discipline budgétaire et une fois regagnée la confiance politique pour aller de l'avant, vers l'union fédérale.

L'élection de François Hollande ouvre de nouvelles perspectives pour l'Europe, tout comme la nomination de Mario Monti en Italie. Néanmoins, nous vivons une période délicate. A moins que le programme de réforme de l'UE ne prenne, la réforme structurelle fléchira et la croissance restera insaisissable. Dans les circonstances d'une spirale déflationniste de l'endettement, les risques pour la démocratie seront grands et le projet européen, que nous célébrons aujourd'hui, courrait un grave danger.

Je n'ai aucun doute sur le fait que Robert Schuman et Jean Monnet diraient "oui" au traité budgétaire le considérant comme une étape essentielle dans la gestion de la crise que traverse l'Europe. Mais ils garderaient à l'esprit la nécessité de passer au plus vite à une l'union fiscale réelle, porteuse de solidarité à travers la mutualisation de la dette souveraine et la mise en place d'un gouvernement fédéral et démocratiquement responsable conduisant une politique économique commune.

Cela reste l'objectif de l'UEF en cet anniversaire de la Déclaration Schuman. Nous appelons les électeurs, en particulier en Grèce et en Irlande, à être à la hauteur des circonstances et faire ce qu'ils ont à faire pour remettre la construction d'une Europe unie et démocratique sur les rails. Il est inutile de s'en prendre à « l'Europe ». Nous faisons l'Europe ensemble, l'Europe c'est nous."

Communiqué de presse en anglais et allemand.

Fiscal Compact vital necessity

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:07:00 +0200

In his statement, Andrew Duff MEP said:

"It is too easy for electioneering hot-heads to destroy the new treaty. But what would they put in its place? The British will veto a general revision of the EU treaties at this stage. So the fiscal compact treaty is a necessary expedient. It adds to the pressure of market discipline and peer pressure to which all European governments are now subjected.

"The new treaty is the vital tool to trigger the European Stability Mechanism without which market confidence will be wrecked. But the treaty is not the lasting solution to Europe's political and economic problems. It is in any case a confederal treaty, whose utility will pass once Europe returns to fiscal rectitude and regains the political confidence to move forward to federal union.

"The election of François Hollande opens new perspectives for Europe, as has the appointment of Mario Monti in Italy. But this is a delicate moment. Unless the EU's reform programme takes hold, structural reform will falter and faster economic growth will remain elusive. In the circumstances of a debt deflationary spiral, the risk to democracy would grow and the European project, which we celebrate today, will be in grave danger.

"I have no doubt that Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet would be saying Yes to the fiscal compact treaty as a vital step in managing Europe's present crisis. But they would then be moving on to real fiscal union, with solidarity expressed through joint and several liability of sovereign debt and a democratically accountable federal government making a common economic policy.

"That remains the goal of the UEF this Schuman Day. We urge voters, especially in Greece and Ireland, to deliver what must be done now to put the task of building a united European democracy back on track. There's no point blaming 'Europe'. We make Europe together - 'Europe' is us."

Press release in French and German.

Joint UEF-JEF statement

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:04:00 +0200

- concerned about the persistent financial and economic crisis, and deploring the lateness and inadequacy of the measures adopted by the national and European governments;
- convinced that the debt reduction and greater budgetary discipline, although necessary, are not sufficient to guarantee a way out of the crisis;
- certain that, with an integrated European economy and a single currency, the national economic policies are totally inadequate to stimulate growth and protect future generations;
- aware that, in the absence of suitable European initiatives for development, the economic recession is bound to deepen, making the condition of the most indebted countries untenable, eroding incomes, and leading to mass unemployment and a breakdown of social cohesion;
- conscious that the crisis is not only economic, but also political and institutional, and that it cannot be tackled through intergovernmental solutions alone;

Request

- the implementation of an environmentally and socially sustainable European development plan, in order to promote investments in infrastructures, environment and social-friendly transformation of the economic model, greater use of renewable energy sources, research and innovation; the plan will be funded by own resources and by strongly increasing the European budget through the introduction of European taxes (such as the one on financial transactions and the one on CO2 emissions, which, will partially replace national taxes and will allow a more balanced distribution of the tax burden between different levels of government, local, regional, national and European) and the issuing of Euro-project bonds;

- the drawing up, before the 2014 European elections, of a plan to relaunch the European constituent project, so as to resolve, without delay, the crucial problems of the democratic legitimacy of the European Union and of the government of fiscal, budgetary and monetary policies, so that the European institutions might win back the consent of the European citizens and of the international community.

Welcome

-     the current petition to the European Parliament on fiscal union launched by the Presidents of the UEF, JEF and European Movement International;
-    the dissemination, in Europe, of this and other initiatives and demands put forward by organisations, personalities, and movements that support the European political union on a federal basis, along the lines of the battle that JEF and UEF, through its national, regional and local organisations, has been waging for years.

Commit

-    to set up a task force which will be specifically required to establish contacts with the above-mentioned organisations, personalities, and movements in order to organise a European Coalition for a Federal Union Now. The priority should be the coordination of the various initiatives to mobilise public opinion, to put pressure on the European and national institutions, on the governments and on the political parties, and to highlight the need to solve, at European level, the problems created by the crisis, to promote a European New Deal, and to tackle the problem of the absence, at European level, of true democratic legitimacy and capacity for democratic government.
-    looks forward to organising in the autumn of 2013 a large congress of Europe's federalist forces which will launch the European Parliamentary election campaign.

Federalists target 2014 elections

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:49:00 +0200

"Our goal is simple," said UEF President Andrew DUFF. "It's to get more federalists elected so that the next Parliament will be more progressive and ambitious than this one".

A joint statement agreed by the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) called for a large congress to be held in the autumn of 2013 (probably in Berlin) to which the leaders of the European political parties would be invited to respond to a federalist election manifesto.

Andrew Duff MEP said: "This manifesto must comprise the agenda for the next constitutional Convention which will have to open in 2015. Above all, it needs to promote the big push towards the federal Europe that appears yet to intimidate Europe's political class. This means fiscal union based on democratic solidarity between states and citizens with a federal economic government. The agenda will have to rectify some mistakes made in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as considering the conferral of further competences on the EU, for example in the fields
of energy supply and visa policy."

JEF President Pauline Gessant said: " JEF and UEF welcome all the recent initiatives put forward by organizations, personalities, and movements that support the European political union on a federal basis, along the lines of the battle that JEF and UEF, through its national, regional and local organisations, have been waging for years. JEF and UEF will take the lead to organise a European Coalition for a Federal Union in view of the European elections to put pressure on governments and political parties".

In his closing speech to the Leuven meeting, Duff warned not to expect great things of the present leadership of Europe. "One does not have to subscribe fully to Mr Juncker's description of his colleagues as 'ungifted pragmatists' to know that the present European Council -- even with a swap of Hollande for Sarkozy -- will not be capable of saving the European project."

Mr Duff also emphasised the importance of dealing with the British problem up front to find a settlement that was mutually satisfactory for both the UK and the rest of the EU. "The UK does not have the moral authority to stop Europe going forward".

CONTACT

Andrew Duff on +32 2 284 59 98
Pauline Gessant on +32 2 512 00 53

Resolution to promote a joint action on European Federalists at European level

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:43:00 +0200

The UEF FC meeting in Leuven on 21-22 April 2012 in order to promote a joint action of European Federalists at European level invites its sections to promote political initiatives on the basis of the guidelines in the attached petition to the European Parliament whose aims are:

- the implementation of an environmentally and socially sustainable European development plan;

- the drawing up, before the 2014 European elections, of a plan to relaunch the European constituent project, so as to resolve, without delay, the crucial problems of the democratic legitimacy of the European Union and of the government of fiscal, budgetary and monetary policies, so that the European institutions might win back the consent of the European citizens and of the international community.

Support the setting up of a Task Force

- with representatives of the UEF from different countries and open to the cooperation with JEF and the EM at all the levels;

- coordinated by the UEF Secretary General who will constantly refer to the UEF EB about the Tasks Forces results and how its works might be improved and implemented;

Commits its bodies, sections and FC Political Commissions

To study, elaborate and draft as soon as possible a comprehensive political road map about how to build a European Institution architecture, with a federal core able to deal with both the economic, budgetary, financial crisis and the democratic legitimacy deficit the Europeans are still suffering.

Resolution on EU migration policy

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:20:00 +0200

whereas:

- the ongoing process of transformation in Europe's closest neighborhood is a historic opportunity which also brings important challenges for our continent, such as highlighting the need for a common immigration and asylum policy for the EU; - the fear of people with different cultural and religious backgrounds is the underlying platform for extremist populism in Europe, magnified in times of economic and financial crisis and misused by some EU leaders for short-sighted political purposes;

- the ongoing populist debate in some EU member states, as well as the inefficient reactions by several national authorities to enhanced migration flows over the last years, runs counter to one of the Union’s main goals - the sustainable free movement of persons;

- contrary to some latest Member States' government statements, the proper management of enhanced migration flows is not the reintroduction of internal borders between Member States, but the communitarization of EU external boarders' protection;

- migration and mobility are of key importance for the future dynamism and competitiveness of the EU;

The Union of European Federalists

acknowledges that:

- separation of politics and religion is crucial to the success of public governance in every policy area;

- migration is neither an isolated national nor a momentous issue - it affects all European citizens, albeit to a different degree; therefore, joint management should be ensured within the framework of common institutions and mechanisms;

- the European Union - based on principles of solidarity and shared responsibility – could provide the right institutional framework, allowing for dealing in a coherent manner with the challenge of migration and integration of immigrants in Europe and could also provide for effective external border security management;

- hence, in the context of the current reform process, the use of the communitarian approach in the filed of immigration and asylum policy should be applied more intensively; in order to achieve more successful integration of migrants into European societies and maximise their contribution to development;

- however, the future of the EU migration policy should not be reduced solely to the reform of the rules governing the protection of the external borders of the EU; migration requires a complex vision for reforms of related EU policies, more specifically, an EU immigration and asylum policy;

taking into consideration the invaluable contribution of migrants to the economic, social and cultural development of the EU, including the EU's competitiveness in the world trade, the future EU common asylum policy should guarantee aid and protection to people persecuted in their own countries, thus reflecting the EU’s own principles - democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

- the EU also needs qualified immigrants if it wants to become a highly competitive knowledge-based economy; therefore, the EU common immigration policy should be equipped with mechanisms that allow for this;

- the EU also needs qualified immigrants if it wants to become a highly competitive knowledge-based economy; therefore, the EU immigration and asylum policy should be equipped with mechanisms that allow for this;

- any policy reform should not happen at the expense of the planned Schengen enlargement to new countries, provided naturally that all conditions to accession are met.

supports

- the proposal of the European Commission from mid-September 2011 aimed at establishing more efficient management of the Schengen cooperation system and uniform application of the Schengen rules, which, if agreed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, would be a right step in the federal direction;

- the measures proposed by the Commission and aimed at facing rapidly changing crisis situations, and in particular, the increase of the financial funds addressing internal affairs and the improvement and simplification of the EU funding mechanisms;

- the proposal of the Commission on intensive use of readmission agreements in EU relations with countries considered a source of irregular migration; the mobility partnerships which the readmission agreements integrate will better prepare the EU to manage migration challenges;

- the newly introduced "more for more" principle of the European neighborhood policy, which could provide a good basis stimulating reforms in the participating countries;

- the reform of FRONTEX as from September 2011, that will play a crucial role for the efficiency of FRONTEX activity, but further stress the need for increased visibility of its work for the sake transparency and human rights guarantee

will work

- for effective development of a common migration policy guaranteeing the uniform application of fundamental rights and international human rights standards as a priority goal of European integration;

- for the sake of policy efficiency and in accordance with Article 77, Par 1, "c" TfEU, for the gradual replacement of Member States' responsibility for external border security with EU competences and instruments, which will constitute an enormous integration step, bringing the EU to another level of post-national union;

- for the further development of a Common European Asylum System to address both the differences in refugee protection between individual Member States and the sharing of responsibilities under the Dublin II Regulation on the return of asylum seekers within the EU, which will lead to a new level of integration;

- for a more effective integration policy and access to rights by third-country nationals within the EU as well as greater cooperation with non-member countries in all fields, particularly developing more enhanced use of readmission agreements, based on humane and effective return policy, as a means of conditionality within the larger context of the EU neighborhood policy; - for a European foreign policy focusing on the causes of instability and structural problems in countries of origin directly.

Resolution “European Federalists: Time to exploit momentum”

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:04:00 +0200

The UEF-Belgium calls on the federalists of Europe to welcome the profound changes which have taken place or are being planned in the governance of both the European Union and the Eurozone, and to exert all possible influence with the aim of guiding and developing these changes in a democratic and federal direction.

Since the Eurozone in particular is clearly moving towards an economic and fiscal union, with a more and more integrated system of government, the federalists should give their highest priority to bringing the Zone under democratic control with a full role for elected parliamentarians.

We must convince the voters that such a federal and democratic government in Europe is the only way to protect their well-being and secure their future against the challenges and crises of the modern world.

The present momentum must not be lost, but should be accelerated to drive the Eurozone towards a full, simple and efficient federal union, with an open door for other member states to join, until the Union and the Zone are one and the same, a truly united Europe.

With these aims firmly in mind, the federalist movement must now strengthen its organisation, its activities and its communication strategy and mobilise all its members and supporters in every member state to play a leading role in the great debate which will now determine the future of Europe.

EUD president Wieland: border controls destroy the spirit of Europe

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:20:00 +0200

Wieland warns against a softening of the Schengen rules in the sense of a re-introduction of internal border controls within the European Union. “Together with the Benelux Countries, Germany and France have fostered the Schengen-Treaty. If exactly these two countries undermine the Schengen treaty, then there is serious cause for concern”.

Read more (in German)...

European Federalists despise renationalisation of border control

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:02:00 +0200

JEF President Pauline Gessant and UEF President Andrew Duff say:

"Migration within and from outside the Union is not an isolated national issue - it affects all European Citizens and thus a joint management should be ensured within the framework of common institutions and mechanisms."

Andrey Kovatchev, an EPP MEP and a Vice-President of UEF, took these points up and prepared a resolution for the convention of both historic Federalist organisations that object to any renationalisation in these policies:

"Contrary to some latest Member States' government statements, the proper management of enhanced migration flows is not the reintroduction of internal borders between Member States, but the communitarization of EU external boarders' protection;"

and

"The recent proposal of the European Commission aimed at establishing a more efficient management of the Schengen cooperation system and uniform application of the Schengen rules, which would be a right step in the federal direction."

With regard to external border control, the resolution states that:

"For the sake of policy efficiency and in accordance with Article 77 of the Treaty, for the gradual replacement of Member State's responsibility for external border security with EU competences, a 'post-national' approach is aimed at."

Kovatchev further stated that the Schengen enlargement must not be stopped here:

"Any policy reform should not happen at the expense of the foreseen Schengen enlargement to new countries, provided naturally that all conditions to accession are met."

CONTACT

UEF - JEF JOIN FEDERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Leuven, 20-22 April 2012

Journalists and members of the Press who wish to attend UEF-JEF Joint Federal Committee should contact Mana Livardjani at +32 2 508 30 30 - mana.livardjani@federalists.eu.

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) are citizens' movements promoting European Integration since World War II. Federalists believe that only a common effort of European citizens working towards more democratic institutions on the European level could create a long lasting peace and freedom, and a strong common answer to global challenges. The Federalists are present in 37 European countries.

Enlarging the territory of citizens' participation

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0200

The development of a European Public Sphere is a key challenge in the EU integration process. Its structure and dimension influence the democratic quality and the social cohesion within EU.

The international seminar "Enlarging the Territory of Citizens’ Participation" to be held in Sofia will provide young people with knowledge and skills for active participation in the democratic life of the union. The political, social, economic and cultural aspects that the seminar addresses will contribute to shape a vision how to strengthen European democracy and reaffirm the concept of active European citizenship.

The participants will acquaint with all direct and indirect instruments of citizen involvement, from the European Citizens Initiative to the structured dialogue with civil society organizations and a modernized system of European Elections. The ideas and knowledge generated during the seminar can be used by every participant and be implemented at local level

Methodology:

Panel discussions, working groups, lectures, plenary sessions, simulation games and information market will be some of the methods used to debate these issues.

The rich social program will enable the participants to explore the night life in Sofia, enjoy a horse ride in Vitosha mountain (optional) and see the Rila Monastery, one of the most significant and picturesque monuments on the Balkans, part of the UNESCO book of world heritage.

PARTICIPATING CONDITIONS

Age: 18-30
Countries: EU Member states
Costs: 70% of Travel Costs will be reimbursed (up to 230 Euro)
Fee/person: 75 Euro participation fee/person
Board & lodging covered by the organisers
Deadline for applying: 22 April 2012!!!

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EUD President Wieland: The European area of justice is a valuable asset

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:41:00 +0200

“It is important for Europe in general to further develop the common area of justice. We already have far too many exceptions, opt-outs, and statements in the minutes. We have to put the EU Law into effect, where we have committed ourselves to doing so. “In principle, with regard to the implementation of European Law, a multi-speed Europe should be avoided”, says Wieland.

A unitary area of justice is the prerequisite for a well-functioning union. According to the Europa-Union and Wieland as a full member of the legal committee of the European Parliament, it is very important to acknowledge the priority of the European Law over the national law. “An area of justice can only work on the basis of uniform principles and rules. There is no room for different patterns of interpretation”, says Wieland. “The European area of justice is a valuable asset that guarantees freedoms to EU citizens that could not be ensured by the nation-state alone. Europa-Union would like to draw attention to this fact.” Therefore, “everyone has to do his homework; the constitutional courts, too, have a responsibility.” Otherwise, the legitimacy of the European area of law would be undermined and the basis of the European unification would be put into question. “We have to expand the common market and the area of freedom, security, and law in the sense that not only experts and European law specialists but also the ordinary citizens understand these as their EU aquis”. Concerning this matter, the EUD president criticizes the (in his view) increasing defensive attitude of national authorities. “If everyone tries to make small gains to his own benefit within the implementation of European directives, the common area of justice is severely affected at the expense of Europe”, says Wieland.

“In Germany we also have the tendency to overload some of the European regulation frames with national elements”. Wieland further states: “This overload is not a good European policy.”

Read the full article (in German)…

Joint Federal Committee of the EUD and JEF meets in Berlin

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:44:00 +0100

On March 24, the Joint Federal Committee of the EUD and JEF met in Berlin. Before their meeting, the Delegates of Europa-Union and Young European Federalists demonstrated for democracy and the rule of law in front of the Hungarian Embassy.

Around 150 members and friends of our organisations followed the call and showed their colours. The green "E" was also very present in the subsequent meeting. During the Federal Committee young and old colleagues discussed the future cooperation of the EUD and the JEF and adopted a joint recommendation. Franz J. Klein was elected chairman of the Federal Committee by the delegates of the EUD. His deputies are Joachim Gasiecki, Rainer Giesel and Friedhelm Pieper.

Read the full article in German…

Europe of the future: what Europe do we want?

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:08:00 +0100

von Arndt Freiherr Freytag von Loringhoven, abstract

To achieve that, a constructive dialogue with the society is vital. People need to be given a convincing answer to the debt crisis. We must also fight increasing economic imbalances.

First approach to solve the problem is to practice an unprecedented degree of solidarity with those European neighbours, who are in a difficult market situation. Secondly, we are laying new foundations for a new stability culture in Europe. We are fixing the monetary union flaws with stronger fiscal and economic policy coordination.

Financial stability and solidarity can only be maintained if we will stimulate the growth. We need to look for "best practice" examples in Europe and strengthen our competitiveness. Unfortunately there is no magic formula to solve the debt crisis. A chance for that lies in uniting solidarity, solidity and growth.

The challenges of European Union are not limited with economic and monetary matters – new political and economic powers are emerging. The European model of shared sovereignty is unique and allows Europe to become a shaping power on the global stage and to have extensive partnerships with other global players.

There is no good future for the country without a united Europe. That is why Europe has to be the project of the future. The experience of the past should encourage us to overcome the current crisis and to develop in the future. We have to ensure that we have the confidence in Europe from the citizens, because they play the central role.

Read the full article of Dr. Freytag von Lohringhoven in German here.