In its progress report on European citizens' dialogues, published on Tuesday 11 December, the European Commission identifies global challenges, environmental and social issues and values as priorities for the European citizen.
In a 36-page report, the Commission proposes a summary of the consultations and dialogues, initiated last May (see EUROPE 11983) and, for the most part, led by 26 of the Member States (excluding Italy and the United Kingdom). According to some observers, the reason why so many States have complied with this exercise is, in particular, the flexibility it offered in its implementation. The result, at European level, were conclusions that were generally difficult to aggregate, based on very diversified formats and sometimes very different objectives.
However, according to the report, the dialogues tend to converge around certain recurring themes. Citizens are calling, among other things, for reforms to make the Union more efficient and transparent. They are generally in favour of greater harmonisation at European level, particularly on environmental issues. However, it appears that it would be the EU's increased capacity to respond to global challenges, such as external policies, the issue of migration, the environment and climate change, that would make citizens "prouder of belonging to the Union". Social issues, economic change and values are other priorities for citizens. Finally, the consultations also reveal a 'call for Europe' in sectors where the EU is, in fact, already very active.
This consultation exercise, initiated by the Council, is also of particular importance to the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who wishes to link it to his reflection on the Future of Europe, which should culminate in the informal summit in Sibiu in May 2019, when he draws up a strategic programme for 2019-2024.
The Commission's contribution to this initiative focused mainly on an online consultation. More than a third of the 76,000 contributions to this questionnaire come from France, followed by Germany with 13% of respondents, Hungary (10%) and Spain (7%).
Citizens' consultations are on the agenda of the European Council on 13-14 December.
To consult the report: https://bit.ly/2PyTQVa (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)