Brussels, 08/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 May, the European Commission will mark Europe Day by registering the very first European Citizens' Initiative, relating to exchange programmes such as Erasmus. Other initiatives proposed will also be added to the online register in coming days.
“Fraternity 2020 - Mobility, Progress, Europe” is the title of the first initiative, proposed by a committee of EU citizens living in Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania and Spain. These citizens hope to enhance EU exchange programmes such as Erasmus or the European Voluntary Service “in order to contribute to a united Europe based on solidarity among citizens”.
The organisers of the initiative, which bears the registration number ECI(2012)000001, now have 12 months to collect one million signatures from at least seven member states. If they manage to do so, they will invite the European Commission to propose legislation on the issue. “Now the race is on to see which initiative will be the first to gather one million signatures”, said Maros Sefcovic, Vice-President of the European Commission. Before registering an initiative, the Commission must verify that it meets certain minimal legal criteria, i.e. that it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous, vexatious, contrary to European values or outside the scope of the Commission's powers. (LC/transl.jl)