Member States must answer the citizens’ requests and give Europe the tools it needs

21/03/2024

Press Release

UEF

Brussels 21 March 2024

Almost two years after the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe, where citizens gave a clear mandate for EU Treaty reform, a convention has yet to be conveyed. On 22 November 2023, the European Parliament adopted its proposal to amend the Treaties and triggered the procedure of Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union. Yet, there has been a lack of reaction from the European Council and the Convention item requested by the EP is not yet on the agenda of any meeting. A simple majority in the European Council is enough to open the Convention, so this time the vetoes of a few states cannot be an excuse.

Together with our sections and our partners from the Spinelli Group, European Movement International (EMI) and the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) we have written letters to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and to the President of the EU Council Charles Michel, as well as the heads of each EU Member State. In light of the European Council meeting on 21-22 March, it is the duty of the European Council and the heads of State to respect the will of the citizens and strengthen the European Union.

Given the challenges we are facing, and keeping in mind the relaunch of enlargement, it is more necessary than ever to update our policies and initiate a reform of our institutional framework. Not only for the betterment of our current Union, but also, with an outlook to an European Union of possibly 36 Member States.

"You have a proposal from the European Parliament. The European Parliament activated Article 48, which is an article on the constitutional reform procedure. How long will the European Council continue to abuse our patience?" said Domènec Ruiz Devesa, MEP and UEF President in his intervention in the European Parliament debate of 12 March for Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024.

The climate crisis, defence and foreign policy, enlargement, digitalisation, energy, healthcare, industrial policy, democracy and rule of law are just some of the challenges Europe needs to tackle. Every day, war, crises and great power politics demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen European institutions and better respond to global challenges and the needs of citizens.

Historically, the European project has always been ambitious and bold. To face the uncertain times of today, we must stay ambitious and give Europe the necessary tools to move forward and boldly face the challenges of our quickly changing world.

Links and references:
List of the letters sent by UEF or its national sections or JEF national sections to the members of the European Council in view of the EUCO meeting of 21-22 March 2024

Austria, Letter to Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer LINK
Belgium, Letter to Prime Minister Alexander De Croo LINK
Bulgaria, Letter to Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov LINK
Croatia, Letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković LINK
Republic of Cyprus, Letter to President Nikos Christodoulides, LINK
Czech Republic, Letter to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, LINK
Denmark, Letter to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen LINK
Estonia, Letter to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas LINK
Finland, Letter to the Prime Minister Petteri Orpo LINK
France, Letter to the President Emmanuel Macron LINK
Germany, Letter to Federal Chancellor Olaf Sholz LINK
Greece, Letter to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis LINK
Hungary, Letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orban LINK
Ireland, Letter to The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar LINK
Italy, Letter to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni LINK
Latvia, Letter to Prime Minister Evika Siliņa LINK
Lithuania, Letter to President Gitanas Nausėda LINK
Luxembourg, Letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden LINK
Malta, Letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela LINK
Netherlands, Letter to Prime Minister Mark Rutte LINK
Poland, Letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk LINK
Portugal, Letter to Prime Minister Antonio Costa LINK
Romania, Letter to President Klaus Werner Iohannis LINK
Slovakia, Letter to Prime Minister Robert Fico LINK
Slovenia, Letter to Prime Minister Robert Gobob LINK
Spain, Letter to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez LINK
Sweden, Letter to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson LINK
President of the EU Council, Charles Michel LINK
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen LINK