A citizens Europe

Thanks to the European Union, citizens of member countries can travel, live and
work anywhere in Europe.
In daily life, the EU encourages and funds programmes to bring citizens closer
together, particularly in the fields of education and culture.
feeling of belonging to the European Union will develop only gradually,
through its tangible achievements and successes.
!ome symbols that represent a shared European identity already e"ist. The
most prominent is the single currency, but there are also the EU flag and anthem
Travelling, living
and working in Europe
The first right of a European citizen is the right to travel, work and live
anywhere in the Union. The Treaty of #aastricht enshrined this right in its chapter on
citizenship.
The EU has passed a directive establishing a system of mutual recognition of
higher education $ualifications. This directive applies to all university courses lasting
three years or more and is based on the principle of mutual confidence in the $uality of
national education and training systems.
ny person who is a national of an EU country can work in the health,
education and other public services anywhere in the Union, with the e"ception of
activities covered by the prerogative of public authorities %the police, armed forces,
foreign affairs, etc.&.
Indeed, what could be more natural than recruiting a 'ritish teacher to teach
English in (ome, or encouraging a young 'elgian graduate to compete in a civil service
e"am in )rance*
!ince +,,-, European citizens who travel within the EU can obtain a European
health insurance card, from their national authorities which helps cover medical costs if
they fall ill while in another country.
How citizens can exercise their rights
Europeans are not .ust consumers or participants in economic and social affairs.
They are also citizens of the European Union, and as such have specific political rights.
Under the #aastricht Treaty, every citizen of the Union, regardless of nationality, has
the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in local elections in his or her country of
residence and in elections to the European /arliament. This brings the EU closer to its
people. 0itizenship of the Union is now enshrined in the Treaty which states that 1Every
person holding the nationality of a #ember !tate shall be a citizen of the Union.
0itizenship of the Union shall complement and not replace national citizenship2.
Fundamental rights
The Treaty of msterdam, which came into force in 3444, strengthened the
concept of fundamental rights. It introduced a procedure for taking action against an
EU country that violates its citizens2 fundamental rights. It also e"tended the principle
of non5discrimination so that it covers not only nationality but also gender, race,
religion, age and se"ual orientation.
The European Union2s commitment to citizens2 rights was reaffirmed in 6ice in
7ecember +,,, with the solemn proclamation of the 0harter of )undamental (ights of
the European Union. This 0harter was drawn up by a 0onvention composed of
members of national parliaments, #E/s, representatives of national governments and a
member of the European 0ommission. Under si" headings 8 7ignity, )reedoms,
E$uality, !olidarity, 0itizens2 (ights and 9ustice 8 its - articles set out the European
Union2s fundamental values and the civil, political, economic and social rights of EU
citizens. The opening articles cover human dignity, the right to life, the right to the
1integrity of the person2 and the right to freedom of e"pression and of conscience. The
chapter on solidarity brings together, in an innovative way, social and economic rights
such as:
The right to strike;
The right of workers to be informed and
0onsulted;
The right to reconcile family life and
/rofessional life;
The right to healthcare, social security and social assistance throughout the European
Union.
The 0harter also promotes e$uality between men and women and introduces
rights such as data protection, a ban on eugenic practices and the reproductive cloning
of human beings, the right to environmental protection, the rights of children and
elderly people and the right to good administration.
Fighting discrimination
Under its /rogramme for Employment and !ocial !olidarity %/(<=(E!!&, the
EU funds a wide range of activities to combat racism and "enophobia within its
borders. 6early a $uarter of /(<=(E!!> ?@-A million budget is going towards fighting
discrimination. The EU has also created a )undamental (ights gency %)(&.
Efforts to stop trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, are
a political priority for the EU. It has run a series of cross5border programmes to fight
against trafficking, particularly in cooperation with candidate countries and neighbors
in south5eastern Europe.
A global force for human rights
The EU has put the human rights issue at the forefront of its relations with other
countries and regions. ll agreements on trade or cooperation with non5EU countries
contain a clause stipulating that human rights are an essential element in relations.
There are now more than 3+, such agreements.
The most comprehensive is the 0otonou greement B the trade and aid pact
which links the EU with @4 countries in frica, the 0aribbean and /acific %the 0/
group&. If any 0/ country fails to respect human rights, EU trade concessions can be
suspended and aid programmes curtailed. The EU sees democratic political structures
as a precondition for reducing poverty B the main ob.ective of its overseas development
policy. It applies the same principles to other partner countries.
The EU2s programme of emergency humanitarian assistance around the world is
not normally sub.ect to restrictions because of human rights breaches. id B whether it
be cash, food, services or technical assistance B is provided with the sole aim of
relieving human suffering, regardless of whether the cause is a natural disaster or
misrule by an oppressive regime.
In recent years, the EU has maintained a human rights dialogue with countries
like (ussia, 0hina and Iran. It has imposed sanctions for human rights breaches on
'urma %#yanmar& and Cimbabwe.
Taking the initiative
To promote human rights around the world, the EU funds the European Initiative
for 7emocracy and Duman (ights. The initiative, with a ?3.3 billion budget for +,,@5
3A, puts respect for human rights and democracy into a global conte"t and focuses on
four areas:
strengthening democracy, good governance and the rule of law %support for
political pluralism, a free media and sound .ustice system&
abolishing the death penalty where it still e"ists
combating torture through preventive measures %like police training and
education& and punitive measures %international tribunals and criminal courts&
fighting racism and discrimination by ensuring respect for political and civil
rights.
The initiative also funds pro.ects for gender e$uality and the protection of children.
In addition, it supports .oint action between the EU and other organisations involved in
the defense of human rights, such as the United 6ations, the International 0ommittee of
the (ed 0ross, the 0ouncil of Europe and the <rganization for !ecurity and
0ooperation in Europe.
Europe means education and culture
sense of belonging together and having a common destiny cannot be
manufactured. It can only arise from a shared cultural awareness, which is why Europe
now needs to focus its attention not .ust on economics but also on education, citizenship
and culture. The EU2s educational and training programmes are one element in this.
They promote e"change programmes so students can go abroad, participate in .oint
school activities across borders and learn new languages, etc. It is still decided at
national or local level how schools and education are organized and what the e"act
curriculum is. In the field of culture, the EU programmes 10ulture2 and 1#edia2 foster
cooperation between programme makers, promoters, broadcasters and artists from
different countries. This helps to produce more European TE programmes and films,
thereby redressing the balance between European and merican output.
The mbudsman and the right to petition
To help bring the EU closer to its citizens, the Treaty on European Union
created the post of <mbudsman. The European /arliament appoints the <mbudsman,
who remains in office for the duration of the /arliament. The <mbudsman2s role is to
investigate complaints against EU institutions and bodies. 0omplaints may be brought
by any EU citizen and by any person or organization living or based in an EU member
country. The <mbudsman tries to arrange an amicable settlement between the
complainant and the institution or body concerned. nother important link between
citizens and the EU institutions is the right of any person residing in a member state to
petition the European /arliament.
!nvolving the citizens
The idea of a 1citizens2 Europe2 is very new. !ome symbols that represent a
shared European identity already e"ist, such as the European passport %in use since
34F3&, the European anthem %'eethoven2s 1<de to 9oy2& and the European flag %a circle
of 3+ gold stars on a blue background&. EU driving licences have been issued in all EU
countries since 3443. The EU has adopted a motto, 1United in diversity2, and 4 #ay has
been made 1Europe 7ay2. !ince 3434, the European /arliament has been directly
elected by universal suffrage. This gives greater democratic legitimacy to the process of
European integration, linking it directly with the will of the people. Europe could be
made even more democratic by giving the /arliament a greater role, by creating
genuine European political parties and by giving ordinary people a greater say in EU
policymaking via non5governmental organisations and other voluntary associations.The
use of euro notes and coins since +,,+ has had a ma.or psychological impact. #ore
than two thirds of EU citizens now manage their personal budget and savings in euro.
/ricing goods and services in euro means that consumers can compare prices directly
from one country to another. 'order checks have been abolished between most EU
countries under the !chengen greement %to which all EU countries should eventually
sign up&, and this already gives citizens a sense of belonging to a single, unified
geographic area.1Ge are not bringing together states, we are uniting people2, said 9ean
#onnet back in 343+. (aising public awareness about the EU and involving citizens in
its activities is still one of the greatest challenges facing the EU institutions today
European mbudsman
/. 6ikiforos 7iamandouros
The <mbudsman responds to complaints from EU citizens, businesses and
organizations, helping to uncover cases of >maladministration> B where EU institutions,
bodies, offices or agencies have broken the law, failed to respect the principles of sound
administration or violated human rights. E"amples include:
unfairness
discrimination
abuse of power
lack of or refusal to provide information
unnecessary delay
Incorrect procedures.
The <mbudsman>s office launches investigations after receiving a complaint or on its
own initiative. It is completely independent and does not take orders from any
government or organization. <nce a year, it presents the European /arliament with an
activity report.
Election
/arliament elects the <mbudsman for a renewable five5year term. /. 6ikiforos
7iamandouros, the former national ombudsman of =reece, was re5elected in 9anuary
+,3, for a five5year term.
How can ! complain to the mbudsman"
If you are dissatisfied with an EU institution, body, office or agency, you should
first give it the opportunity to put the situation right. If that approach fails, you can
complain to the European <mbudsman.
Hou must make your complaint to the <mbudsman within two years of the date on
which you became aware of the problem, after having first contacted the EU institution
concerned to try to resolve the matter. Hou must clearly state who you are, which
institution or body you are complaining about and what your problem is. Hou may ask
for the complaint to remain confidential.
The form can be submitted electronically or printed out and sent by post. It is
also available in paper format from the European <mbudsman2s office on re$uest. Hou
may submit your complaint in any of the +A official languages of the EU.
#hat the mbudsman does not do
The <mbudsman cannot investigate:
0omplaints against national, regional or local authorities within EU countries
%government departments, state agencies and local councils&, even when the
complaints are about EU matters.
The activities of national courts or ombudsmen. The European <mbudsman is
not an appeals body for decisions taken by these entities.
0omplaints against businesses or private individuals.
#hat happens after a complaint is made"
The <mbudsman may be able to solve your problem simply by informing the
institution, body, office or agency concerned, but if more is re$uired, the <mbudsman
will try to find an amicable solution which puts the matter right and satisfies you.
If this fails, the <mbudsman can make recommendations to the institution
concerned. If it does not accept his recommendations, he can make a special report to
the European /arliament so that it can take whatever political action is necessary.
If the <mbudsman cannot deal with your complaint B for e"ample, if it has
already been the sub.ect of a court case B he will do his best to advise you which other
body may be able to help.
The European $etwork of
mbudsmen
6ational and regional ombudsmen throughout the EU make a vital contribution
to ensuring that citizens and residents en.oy their rights under EU law. The ombudsmen
deal with complaints against national, regional, and local public authorities in the
#ember !tates. Together with the European <mbudsman and the European
/arliament2s 0ommittee on /etitions, they form the European 6etwork of <mbudsmen.
The network includes the national and regional ombudsmen and similar bodies
of the EU #ember !tates, the candidate countries for EU membership, and certain
other European countries.
The precise grounds on which an ombudsman can act vary within the network,
but normally include: violation of rights, including human and fundamental rights;
other unlawful behavior, including failure to respect general principles of law, and
failure to act in accordance with principles of good administration.
statement of the European 6etwork of <mbudsmen, which clarifies the
service that the members of the network provide to people who complain about matters
within the scope of EU law, is available on the European <mbudsman2s website, where
you can also find information on how to lodge a complaint with an ombudsman in the
network.
The European 6etwork of <mbudsmen consists of over 4, offices in A+
European countries. The 6etwork includes the national and regional ombudsmen and
similar bodies of the #ember !tates of the European Union, the candidate countries for
EU membership, and certain other European countries, as well as the European
<mbudsman and the 0ommittee on /etitions of the European /arliament. The national
ombudsmen and similar bodies in the 6etwork have each appointed a liaison officer to
act as a point of contact for other members of the 6etwork.
The 6etwork was established in 344I and has steadily developed into a
powerful collaboration tool for ombudsmen and their staff, serving as an effective
mechanism for co5operation on case handling. It is of particular importance to the
European <mbudsman to enable him to deal promptly and effectively with complaints
that fall outside his mandate. E"periences and best practice are shared via seminars and
meetings, a regular newsletter, an electronic discussion forum and a daily electronic
news service. Eisits of the European <mbudsman organized by the ombudsmen in the
#ember !tates and accession countries have also proved highly effective in developing
the 6etwork.
The European %arliaments
&ommittee on %etitions
Through its 0ommittee on /etitions, the European /arliament deals with
petitions relating to matters falling within the EU2s field of activity. /etitions cover a
very broad range of issues, from environmental concerns to discrimination and delay.
/arliament can draw attention, through petitions, to infringements of European citizens2
rights by a #ember !tate, local authority, or other public institution.
The European &ommission
The European 0ommission is responsible for ensuring that #ember !tates
respect EU law. In carrying out this task, the 0ommission is known informally as the
1=uardian of the Treaties2. Hou can complain to the 0ommission if you believe a
#ember !tate is infringing EU law.
nyone may lodge a complaint with the 0ommission against a #ember !tate
for any measure %law, regulation or administrative action& or practice attributable to a
#ember !tate which they consider incompatible with a provision or a principle of EU
law.
Hou can also send us a letter or e5mail, making sure you includes as many relevant
details as possible. Dowever, unnecessary personal information should not be included.
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