Representatives of civil society and workers at EU level jointly called on the European leaders, on Tuesday 28 February, to take the opportunity offered by them by the imminent celebrations in Rome of the 60th anniversary of the founding treaty of the Union to present a new vision of European integration.
In a joint press release, the NGOs WWF and CONCORD, the unions (ETUC) and the associations European Movement International, European Women's Lobby and European Youth Forum argued above all in favour of the European project, but called for a change of course. They believe that despite the major progress made since 1957, the EU's raison d'être is currently being called into question by the citizens, which requires a vigorous response.
A response of this kind from the European leaders should address the “economic, social and environmental well-being” of the citizens of the Union, by taking the bold decision to “move away from an economic model which has widened inequalities”, the signatories state. They argue that defending the essential European values of democracy and participation, equality and social justice, solidarity and sustainability, respect for the rule of law and human rights must guide European integration for the next 60 years.
The statement is available at https://goo.gl/VqpOHd . (Original version in French by Jan Kordys)