Brussels, 02/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 2 April, EU Information Strategy Commissioner Margot Wallstrom unveiled the third phase of the Commission's 'Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate' that aims to strengthen dialogue between Europeans and European institutions (see EUROPE 9632). She said that citizens had to be consulted and this was a democratic duty. The Commissioner set out various activities to be carried out before the 2009 European elections - promoting and animating a 'Debate on Europe' internet portal, co-financing a pan-European project to consult with ordinary people, support for special national programmes, the launch of pilot information networks online and the development of European public arenas.
In its report following up on the White Paper on a European Communications Policy, the European Commission suggested that European institutions and bodies formalise their communication action in a special inter-institutional agreement to be drafted in 2008 (see EUROPE 9514). Margot Wallstrom said it was necessary to distance oneself from ad hoc management of the communications challenge in Europe and move towards a form of structured cooperation and be able to define priorities together. But this is not an easy task, she said, because member states take a very hard line in the debate, mentioning the current 'battle' over the draft agreement on the negotiating table. Welcoming the European Parliament's support in this case (see EUROPE 9693), she said we are stronger when we work together, and hoped it could be possible to convince the 'highly reluctant' member states. There are certainly plenty of them. The interinstitutional group on information will meet in May 2008 to discuss this issue.
Asked about her idea to hold citizens' summits in parallel with European Councils, Wallstrom said she hoped the experience gained from the six pan-European citizen consultation projects co-funded by the European Commission in the previous phase of Plan D (see EUROPE 9371) would make it possible in the long-term to organise citizens' summits. What is the Commission doing to encourage involvement in the 2009 European parliament elections? The Commissioner said the Commission was working closely with national parliaments, political parties and European foundations. She explained that all European parties had asked for help. Do you think that the important thing in bringing citizens closer to Europe is the actual content of the policies that are implemented? Admitting that she felt the Commission had been highly criticised at the start of its term of office, Wallstrom said that with its Plan D, the Commission had been able to strike the right balance between defending the interests of citizens and companies. She added that the Commission would be holding a seminar in the near future on its social agenda and how it should be presented to the public. (M.B.)