Brussels, 05/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - A mixed picture of European citizenship was painted by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) at its plenary session on Thursday 31 March in the debate on the draft opinion by Roberto Pella (EPP, Italy), a member of the Valdengo Municipal Council, on the EU Citizenship Report 2010. The CoR also sent a message to Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Commissioner Viviane Reding: “In the new multicultural context, citizenship must no longer be seen merely in terms of protecting identity and belonging, but as a point of integration and social inclusion”.
In her speech to the plenary Reding said that local and regional authorities can play a major role in identifying the problems which the people of Europe face every day in terms of exercising their rights. “You are the first to be in a position to ensure that local government officials responsible for implementing the rights of European citizens have sufficient knowledge of the applicable European rules. Europe is decided in Brussels but is acted out where you live. I therefore feel that it is vital to establish a direct dialogue between the Commission, the CoR and the associations of local and regional authorities to examine the issue of European citizenship”, she stated.
In adopting the Pello opinion, the CoR: - noted that, at the present time, access to social rights is linked to criteria and requirements that created discriminatory profiles, contrary to the principle of equality and equal treatment enshrined in EU law with reference to citizens of other member states of the European Union; - said that local and regional bodies can allow the European institutions to reach those groups that are the least involved in the European debate, such as young people and immigrants; - acknowledged a need for action at local and regional level to cut red tape in order to ensure the effective implementation of European citizenship rights, especially the freedom of movement, and to eliminate all practices that differentiate between EU citizens, particularly in granting residence rights; - endorsed the Commission's plans to make 2013 the European Year of Citizens. For further information, go to: http://www.cor.europa.eu (G.B./transl.rt)