Brussels, 08/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Just a few days before the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, one cannot help noticing that, for a growing number of European citizens, it is no longer clear why the EU is necessary. In order to help citizens understand the need for the EU, the ALDE group at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) suggests that the EU should have a nine-point Mission Statement to successfully communicate the Union's objectives to citizens and to future generations. The nine points of the Statement are: (1) To guarantee peace, freedom and security in and around Europe. (2) To promote and protect democracy and universal rights in Europe and around the world. (3) To strengthen Europe's economy and to promote solidarity around Europe by working in partnership with national, regional and local government. (4) To make it easy for Europe's citizens to live and work throughout the Union. (5) To promote equality and tolerance of diversity in Europe. (6) To promote and facilitate cooperation between Europeans, at individual, local, regional and national level, and in both the public and private sectors. (7) To protect Europe's environment. (8) To ensure that Europe's voice is heard in the world. (9) To listen to its citizens, be accountable to them and work for them in a transparent and decentralised way. (gb)