On Wednesday 6 December, the European Commission proposed amending the European Union’s rules governing consular protection in order to provide better support for European citizens facing a crisis in a third country when their country of nationality does not have a consulate or embassy there.
With this legislative proposal to amend Directives 2015/637 and 2019/997, those affected will be able to make the most of the global network of EU delegations and Member State embassies and consulates by simplifying procedures. Consular crisis plans will also be drawn up (risk assessment, estimation of European citizens present for each country, evacuation and/or repatriation) and regular crisis preparation exercises will be organised.
The legislative proposal also provides for joint teams of experts to be sent, if the situation so requires, to reinforce diplomatic and consular staff during a crisis.
See the proposed Directive: https://aeur.eu/f/9zx
2023 report on EU citizenship. On Wednesday, the Commission also reported on EU citizenship, ahead of the European elections in June 2024 and a few weeks after the thirtieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty, the cornerstone of European citizenship.
According to the report, although 87% of Europeans understand the benefits of European citizenship, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey, half of those questioned felt moderately informed about their rights.
The report also highlights various aspects such as non-discrimination, free movement (see other news) and the electoral rights inherent in EU citizenship. It emphasises education in EU citizenship, with the launch of ‘Jean Monnet’ actions and the creation of the ‘EU democracy in action’ toolbox for secondary schools.
Link to the report: https://aeur.eu/f/9zi
The Commission has also published a guide to best practice aimed at overcoming the obstacles faced by disabled citizens in exercising their right to vote (https://aeur.eu/f/9zz ). It also proposed new measures to promote gender equality and combat racism and hate speech (see other news).
ECI. Finally, the Commission has unveiled its first report on the operation of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) since the 2020 revision of the Regulation establishing it (see EUROPE 12159/20). The institution announced concrete measures to improve the participation of European citizens in the Union’s democratic processes, such as raising awareness of the ECI and systematically consulting the organisers of successful initiatives.
See the report on the ECI: https://aeur.eu/f/9zy (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion and Nithya Paquiry)