GREEK VERSION

Brussels, 27th September 2024

Yesterday, the new board of the Spinelli Group sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to point out that the mission letters to the Commissioners-designate have made no reference to institutional reforms or the preparation to begin the Treaty reform process.

“Unfortunately, we regret to notice, that in your mission letters to the Commissioner-designates, no mention is made to institutional reforms or to the preparation of the Treaty change process, nor to the reform of the European electoral law, including the establishment of transnational lists.” 

As a transpartisan and pro-EU Integration network, the Spinelli Group expresses our deepest concern regarding these missing elements. In the words of the President of the Spinelli Group, Sandro Gozi:

"As President of the Spinelli Group, I promoted this letter. We want to say it very clearly to Ursula Von der Leyen: respect your commitment to treaty revisions. Reform the Union to unify Europe!"

Two years have passed since the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe, where citizens gave a clear mandate for EU Treaty reform. Additionally, it has been nearly a year since the European Parliament voted last November to call a Convention as a condition sine qua non to reform the Treaties.

Yet despite all this time and her candidacy relying on the votes of pro-European forces, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has not taken any actions to implement or begin discussions on institutional reforms, treaty changes, or reforms to European electoral law. The board of the Spinelli Group once again calls for the European Commission to be proactive in advocating for treaty reform, given its crucial role in playing the preliminary phases of the Treaty reform process (as seen in Article 48 of TEU).

This inaction comes at a difficult time for the European Union, given the flashing red lights coming from the EU economy and the growing electoral popularity of Eurosceptics who would tear down this union. As the Draghi report has shown, reform of the EU’s governance is needed to face the challenges of the moment, to improve its competitiveness, and to prepare for future enlargement. Inaction during this time of vulnerability within the EU is unacceptable given the breakdown of the rules-based international order and the return of war on the continent, the European Commission must step up and do more. For these reasons, the Spinelli Group fully intends to hold the Commissioner-designate accountable during their evaluation hearings to ensure that treaty reform is not forgotten. 

The signatories of the letter are the new member of the Board of the Spinelli Group, the MEPs Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe, France),  Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew Europe, Netherlands), Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany),  Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy),  Vivien Costanzo (S&D, Germany), Reinier Van Lanschot (Greens/EFA, Netherlands), Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, Germany), Petras Austrevicius (Renew Europe, Lithuania), Daniel Freund, (Greens/EFA, Germany), Klara Dobrev (S&D, Hungary),  Nikolaos Farantouris (The Left, Greece) and Domènec Ruiz Devesa (ex officio member, former MEP, President of the Union of European Federalists).

Brussels, September 12, 2024

The lengthy report prepared by Mario Draghi on behalf of the European Commission was presented last Monday in a press conference in Brussels. The Report rings the alarm on the urgent need for the European Union to change its system and modus operandi in order to counter the constant slowdown in its growth and the decline in its productivity; a decline that is leading to a progressive impoverishment of the population and puts the European welfare state model and social cohesion at risk. Additionally, this trend comes with an implicit political risk that would see the European Union unable to guarantee its own security and leave it dependent on external powers in strategic technological sectors.

The Report stresses, through an in-depth analysis, the issue plaguing European development and proposes concrete and detailed measures to reverse the current trend and release the EU's enormous untapped potential. With the Report pointing out the strategic sectors to be developed in order to cope with the major transformations taking place currently in world trade, technological innovation, energy, and security.

Underlying the EU's weakness in these crucial areas are its fragmentation and its model of economic governance, which among other things, provides neither industrial policy nor funding instruments to make the huge investments that are needed at this stage, and is instead designed for an international framework that no longer corresponds to reality. These characteristics are severely holding back the EU and this affects, among others things, the cost of energy (electricity prices are 2-3 times higher than in the USA, with natural gas being an astonishing 4-5 times more expensive ), the scarce funding for research and development (256 million made available by the EU compared to 6 billion in the USA), alongside the specific lack of funding for research and development in the military field, which is essential for building an autonomous defence (10.7 billion euros invested in Europe in 2022 compared to 130 in the USA (2023 figures)). This is to say nothing about the root causes of the serious difficulties in the European labour market, the absence of a capital market at the European level, and the lack of investment that is estimated as at least 750-800 billion a year (or 4.4 - 4.7 % of GDP) compared to the current European budget of only around 1 % of GDP.

Given the significance and scale of this huge investment shortfall, the Report makes a number of proposals on how to find the necessary resources; with one of the most significant being to strengthen the EU budget and create a ‘common debt instruments’ modelled on the NGEU to finance long-term investment projects in R&I and defence procurement.

‘Draghi warns that Europe needs an amount of investment that is impossible to sustain without the creation of common debt instruments,' says Domenec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and President of the Union of European Federalists. ‘At the moment there is only the NGEU, but it is only provisional and as the Report says it should be extended and multiplied in various areas for long-term investments.  If the member states are in favour of new common debt instruments there is an opportunity to create the fiscal capacity for the EU’s continued development under the democratic control of the European Parliament. This would be a step forward that would make treaty reform and the creation of the basis for true European sovereignty inevitable'. 

Transformations in governance is an integral part of the Report; it is very clear that they are its conditio sine qua non, due to the choices to be made, the decisive actions that need to be implemented, alongside the problem of finding the financial resources. However, it is here that the weakness of the European Commission's position on this issue emerges. 

With Draghi seemingly having limited himself to reiterating previously prepared reforms by the European Council, despite his repeated statements given in his personal capacity going further, in which he repeatedly emphasised the need for a political union of a federal nature at the European level. Treaty reform is not taken into consideration, and the Report speaks about the possibility of advancing without reforming the treaties through the passerelle clauses or through enhanced cooperation – which, unfortunately, are two totally ineffective and difficult to use instruments. Perhaps in light of these issues, Draghi proposes a third, alternative option which is the possibility of moving forward in a group of willing States outside the Treaties, similar to what happened with the Fiscal Compact.

The Report thus takes into account the impossibility of advancing all 27 countries together simultaneously, and instead argues for a concentric circle structure. However, the unwillingness to address the issue of a reform of the Treaties (due to significant resistance on the part of the member states and the European Commission itself) implies that the European Commission and member states are unwilling to tackle these issues so as to ensure that a shared European sovereignty does not emerge.

As federalists, we want to stress that the European Council has the solutions to address these systemic issues, having received last December a request from the European Parliament to open a Convention to democratically discuss how to build this new Europe. The European Council has the possibility and the power to decide by simple majority (14 out of 27 states) to accept this request and create the conditions to start that process of change in the EU, which the Draghi Report shows as absolutely necessary and urgent.

We therefore call on the European Parliament to rise to the challenge, demand that the European Commission side with the Parliament and the citizens to overcome the attachment of national governments to their small and inefficient power that is leading Europe to self-destruct. 

As Draghi reminds us, the moment is dramatic and if Europe does not change, it is over. 

We need courageous actions equal to the danger we are running.

RELATED

• Press Conference Ursula von der Leyer and Mario Draghi LINK HERE
• Draghi interventions The Next Flight of the Bumblebee: The Path to Common Fiscal Policy in the Eurozone LINK HERE

Ventotene, 3 September 2024

On the 1st and 2nd of September 2024, in the municipality of Ventotene, representatives of the Union of European Federalists, Association Jean Monnet, the Young European Federalists, the Spinelli Group, as well as significant political figures signed the Partnership Agreement for the re-launch the Action Committee for the United States of Europe.

The first action committee, founded in 1955 by Jean Monnet, was an organization dedicated to promoting European integration and the concept of a united Europe. Established in response to the failure of the European Defence Community, the committee, often called the "Monnet Committee," aimed to gain the support of major European political forces, both in government and in opposition, and of the social partners, to support the community ideal.

The partnership was signed by Domènec Ruiz Devesa (former MEP, UEF Europe President), Sandro Gozi (MEP, Chair of the Spinelli Group), Thijs Reuten (MEP, Spinelli Group), Christelle Savall (JEF Europe President), and Philippe Laurette (Association Jean Monnet President).

The partnership was endorsed by Josep Borrell (High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission), Klaus Welle (Former Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Martens Centre’s Academic Council Chair), Stefano Castagnoli (Altiero Spinelli Institute President), Guy Verhofstadt (former MEP, European Movement International President), Luisa Trumellini (Secretary General of Movimento Federalista Europeo), Giulia Rossolillo (UEF Europe Vice-President), and Roberto Sommella (Associazione Nuova Europa).  

Also present was Martì Grau Segu, Head of Service and Curator House Jean Monnet, where the new Action Committee plans to undertake a number of activities.

"It's better to be prepared for the next crisis, be pro-active instead of just waiting for the next event." said Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

"We need a powerful network of high profile personalities to support the process of federal reform of the Treaty." stated President of the Union of European Federalists, Domènec Ruiz Devesa.

"This is an action committee, which will focus on actions so that we can hasten the construction of the enlarged federal Europe." said Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists.

"We have to be critical of what the Union lacks, in order to improve it. Enough hiding behind the idea that criticizing the EU leaders only helps its enemies." stated President of the European Movement International, Guy Verhofstadt.

The first meeting of the new Action Committee, after its launch back in May, took place on the 2^nd of September 2024, with the presence of the representatives of the Jean Monnet House, European Movement Italy, Movimento Federalista Europeo and Istituto di Studi Federaliasti Altiero Spinelli, additional to the signing organizations.

RELATED LINKS

Visit of Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, to Italy

Visit of Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, to Italy: intervention at the inaurgural Confence of the 40th Ventotene International Seminar

Read here the Speech of the HRVP Josepp Borrell, HERE

Read the Press Release about the launch of the Action Committee HERE

PRESS CONTACT
Ilaria Caria
Secretary-General
secretariat@federalists.eu

UEF and the Spinelli Group highlight this passage from Ursula von der Leyen's speech and call all pro-European forces in the new majority to action. 

"Our Union and our democracy are constant work in progress. And there is more that we can do. We need an ambitious reform agenda to ensure the functioning of a larger Union and to increase democratic legitimacy. While reforms were necessary before, with enlargement they become indispensable. We must use this as a catalyst for change in terms of our capacity to act, our policies and our budget. We will of course focus on what we can already do, of which there is a lot. But we should be more ambitious. I believe we need Treaty change where it can improve our Union. And I want to work on that with this House. And this will be part of a closer partnership between the Commission and the Parliament."

Ursula von der Leyen, Strasbourg, 18 July 2024 

On 18 July, Ursula von der Leyen was elected by the European Parliament to the presidency of the European Commission with a large majority, clearly defined by the common positions on support for Ukraine, respect for the rule of law, and strengthening the European Union. The weeks following the European vote at the beginning of June thus served to test the existence of a common will among pro-European political forces to keep a firm grip on an EU that is increasingly called upon to respond to external threats and protect its citizens. Despite the increased presence at the European level of right-wing, anti-European, and anti-system forces, the votes by which Ursula von der Leyen was elected show that in this legislature there are still margins to achieve decisive advances in the unification process, in continuity with the Conference on the Future of Europe (not by chance also referred to in von der Leyen's speech).  

For this reason, it is particularly significant that, within the broad political programme presented by the President, there was a clear reference to the need for an 'ambitious reform agenda' with the aim of 'improving our Union', to be drafted together with the European Parliament. Even though this passage has generally been ignored in political and journalistic commentaries, the Spinelli Group and UEF instead emphasise it strongly, both because they supported it in the election campaign and in the past weeks of negotiations with von der Leyen, and because they consider it a crucial point on which the pro-European forces must commit themselves. 

"As UEF, we welcome the fact that our indications, made public immediately after the close of voting on 10 June, were followed. We had called the pro-European political forces to create a coalition homogeneous in European and international policy positions, choosing the candidate for the presidency of the Commission on the basis of the Spitzenkandidaten system and stressing, as a necessary condition, the support to the reform of the Treaties, as voted by the outgoing European Parliament," points out Domènec Ruiz Devesa, former S&D  MEP and President of UEF. “When von der Leyen's candidacy loomed up, we also wrote to her directly to that effect. Now it is important to take advantage of this openness of the President to work, Commission and Parliament together, to present to the European Council ambitious proposals for Treaty change, starting from the report prepared by the outgoing EP and putting the call for the launch of the Convention at the centre”. 

"As President of the Spinelli Group and in my capacity as secretary of the European Democratic Party, I personally insisted bilaterally with Ursula von der Leyen during our conversation on the need for her to mention support for the reform of the Treaties in her keynote speech," explains Sandro Gozi, Renew MEP and President of the Spinelli Group. "After all, she herself made it clear: the EU needs reforms to cope with enlargement, to strengthen its defence capability, to increase its competitiveness. All this is reflected in the policies to be made, and - as a pre-condition - in the decision-making mechanisms and financing of the European budget. This is exactly the work done in AFCO and approved in plenary at the end of the last parliamentary term, which must be taken up and relaunched'. 
 

On the day that Ursula von der Leyen appeared before the European Parliament and was voted in, the Spinelli Group and UEF also organised a series of initiatives, starting with a rally in front of the entrance to the EP before the start of the morning proceedings, along with a series of political meetings, and interviews that were broadcasted on social media:

• Street action in front of the European Parliament : post 1, post 2,
• Update of the Spinelli Group composition, news, and events: post 1
• Political debate at the Association Parlamentaire Europeen (APE) with MEPs Sandro Gozi (Renew), Gabrielle Bischoff (S&D), Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA), Zejiana Zovko (EPP)
• Interviews with MEPs members of the Spinelli Group: Sandro Gozi (Renew, and President of the Spinelli Group), Gabrielle Bischoff (S&D), Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA), Markus Ferber (EPP)

PRESS CONTACT
Ilaria Caria
Secretary-General
secretariat@federalists.eu

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) congratulates the 180 millions (provisional data) citizens that have participated in the 2024 European elections, but expresses its concern for the stagnation in the participation rate: 50.08% percentage points (provisional results), not far off from the 2019 result of 50,66% (LINK).

Secondly, UEF expresses its concern by the increase in support for Eurosceptic and Europhobic far-right political parties: with regard to the estimations, the ID and ECR groups grow but (luckily) not significantly enough: with 4 more seats (ID) and 9 more seats (ECR) than in the outgoing Parliament. EPP also gained 9 seats, while there is a significant decrease in the seats of Renew (22 seats lost) and Greens/EFA (19 seats lost) groups. The S&D group had only a mimiminal decline, having lost two seats compared to 2019. One has to take into account that there are as many as 53 seats allocated to new parties that have to choose their European family.

The developments in France and Germany, in particular, are worrying. In France the result of the Rassemblement National (ID Group) party was confirmed with 31.37% of voting, and just after the announcement of the first exit poll results, the French President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the French Parliament and a first round of elections on the 30th of June. In Germany, the Alternative für Deutschland (far-right party currently not affiliated to any European group) became the second most voted party with 15,90% of votes.

At the same time, the European federalists would like to point out that nonetheless, the large majority of European voters have supported pro-European political parties and movements, representing no less than 454 seats in the new European Parliament. In this context, we urge all pro-European political forces with representation in the new European Parliament  to unite and form a strong and cohesive coalition based on a Legislature Agreement that categorically excludes the far-right. This is a political necessity also in order to ensure a stable majority in Parliament and a work programme consistent with the mandate of European voters. 

Among the essential points on which to base a cohesive pact, UEF stresses that there must be support for the strengthening of the European Union - and thus for the reform of the Treaties through a Convention (ex Art. 48.2 TEU) - and for Ukraine’s resistance against Russia's aggression.

In accordance with the Resolution approved by the European Parliament on the 12/12/2023, and in application of the principles of the lead candidates process (“Spitzenkandidaten”), UEF urges the Conference of Presidents to back the lead candidate tabled by the political party that has gained the highest number of seats to be proposed by the European Council as candidate for President of the European Commission.

In parallel, said candidate should immediately engage in negotiations with the other lead candidates and the presidents of the European political parties and their respective parliamentary groups in order to constitute a pro-European majority for their election, on the basis of the legislature agreement.

Since the upcoming parliamentary legislature will be decisive for the future of Europe, UEF strongly believes that a fundamental condition to confirm the next President of the Commission, is that they must support the launch of the Convention for Treaty reform. The existential challenges facing the European Union and the upcoming enlargement urgently require that a process of profound reform - as already called for by the outgoing Parliament on the basis of the results of the Conference on the Future of Europe - is initiated.

The UEF calls on all democratic and pro-European forces to come together and strengthen the unity of Europe, its democracy and the model it represents as a union of States and citizens. 

Our fate, and that of our values and social model, are at stake. We cannot fail. 

Brussels, June 10, 2024 

Press Contact: Ilaria Caria, Sec.-Gen., secretariat@federalists.eu, +32 491524097

The Union of European Federalists, the Association Jean Monnet, the Spinelli Group of the European Parliament, and the Young European Federalists have reconstituted the Action Committee for the United States of Europe established by Jean Monnet in 1955, with a view of advancing the vision for a federal Europe with the support of a network of personalities from all walks of life (intellectuals, writers, journalists, artists, entrepreneurs, former policymakers, etc.).

The partners of the Action Committee proposed a number of concrete steps in a Manifesto in view of the 2024 European elections:

a) A call to citizens to participate in these crucial elections and to support pro-European political parties in order to preserve the pro-EU majority in the European Parliament;

b) A call to European political parties to encourage a pan-European debate and to make their support to the next Commission conditional on the presidential candidate´s commitment to support Parliament´s proposal to reform the Treaties in a federal direction;

c) A call to the European Council to act on the said Parliament´s proposed amendments to the Treaties.

Find the text of the Appeal HERE

You can watch the press conference below:

Read more about the Action Committee for the United States for Europe here

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

Other relevant documents and webpages:

• Memorandum "Why we need a Convention to change the Treaties" LINK
• UEF Political Campaign "The urgency of overcoming the current Treaties" LINK

PRESS CONTACT
Flavia Sandu
Policy Officer
secretariat@federalists.eu

Brussels, 15 March 2024

On Tuesday 12 March, in Strasbourg at Cafè Michel, the Spinelli Group in the European Parliament in coordination with the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and together with UEF France and their partners in Alsace (Mouvement Européen and Les Jeunes Européen) organised an event focused on the importance of Treaty Change.

Among the speakers were Sandro Gozi, Chair of the Spinelli Group, Domenec Ruiz Devesa, MEP and UEF President and Spinelli Group Board Member,and Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, MEP and Spinelli Group Board Member. The event was introduced by Hervé Moritz, President of the Mouvement Européen France.

The event is focused on Treaty reform and the European federalists' campaign and actions towards it.

The European Union is currently not equipped to face global challenges and we must work towards an institutional reform which will allow it to.

“The challenges Europe is facing today are very similar to the ones that Altiero Spinelli and Robert Schuman were confronted with in 1945. The European Union must adopt extraordinary responses to unify our continent through a deep and ambitious reform of its institutions and of its policies.” said Sandro Gozi, Chair of the Spinelli Group. 

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. The event on the 12th was meant to revolve around the Commission’s Communication on Treaty Reform. However, the Communication has been yet again postponed.

“You can see the interest in institutional reform being found in parties’ manifestos for the European elections” said Domenec Ruiz Devesa, MEP and UEF President, “Yet when it comes to the Council, to the heads of state belonging to these same parties, there is no initiative.” 

It is the duty of the Heads of State to follow the mandate given by citizens in the Conference on the Future of Europe and take action in opening a Convention.

Links and references:

• PR | European Federalists welcome historic vote on EU Treaty reform LINK
• PR | Time for the European and national leaders to seize the urgency for Treaty reform LINK
• UEF Political Manifesto for the European Elections 2024 LINK 
• Memorandum "Why we need a Convention to change the Treaties" LINK
• Letter sent to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel LINK 
• Letter sent to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen LINK
• Letter to the members of the European Parliament LINK

Today marks the second year of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On this important date for Europe and the besieged country, the European federalists want to reiterate their support to Ukraine and its people.
 
One more year of war and immense loss has passed. Russia showcased yet again its disregard towards human rights and basic human dignity, committing war crimes against Ukraine and atrocities against its own citizens who dared take a stand against Putin’s regime.
 
The EU has a historical and moral responsibility to ensure peace in the area. Yet we saw once again how limited the current institutional framework is, where one man’s personal political interest can halt for months necessary sanctions and funding. Looking at the historical progress on Enlargement we have made so far, we also have to look at the reform the EU itself needs and the necessary changes its institutions, to bring the EU project to its next step. To stand with Ukraine now, and provide security to all current and future European citizens, the EU must become the kind of Union envisaged by the Conference on the Future of Europe, and moved forward by the Parliament's proposal for a Convention.
 
For the past months we have seen a raise in scepticism regarding Ukraine’s chances to win. This is a situation of our own making, where our frameworks do not allow for effective actions. Ukraine is currently shielding the whole of Europe against Russian onslaught at the cost of its own people’s lives and livelihoods. We must not give up on supporting them.
 
‘The Union of European Federalists remains committed to seeing a victorious Ukraine join the European Union.’ said Domènec Ruiz Devesa, UEF President.
 
UEF has and will continue to support Ukraine and its people through whichever means possible. With this occasion we are inviting everyone to join us for the march organized by Promote Ukraine in Brussels tomorrow 25 February and to watch our intervention with Promote Ukraine at the podcast organised by the YouTube channel The EU Made Simple.

LINKS AND REFERENCES

• PR | European Federalists welcome historic vote on EU Treaty reform LINK
• PR | Time for the European and national leaders to seize the urgency for Treaty reform LINK
• Memorandum "Why we need a Convention to change the Treaties" LINK

Brussels, 18 December 2023

As the Conference on the Future of Europe concluded in May 2022, all the European institutions agreed to give the citizens recommendations for proper implementation. The European Parliament was the first to take action with its June 2022 and November 2023 resolutions calling for a Convention to reform the Treaties and activate Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

Today, the Council of the EU played its part, thanks to Spain’s leadership, and transmitted the European Parliament’s request for activation of Article 48 TEU to the European Council. Europe now turns to Charles Michel and EU national leaders to immediately include the EP‘s request on the agenda of the next EUCO meeting.

The request for Treaty change has to be considered by the European Council first of all because it is urgent and necessary. The European Union lacks the indispensable tools to act in the face of the challenges of security and economic competition that we are undergoing. The Russian war against Ukraine and interference, migration flows, ecological and digital transition, and enlargement force us to take action. More than ever, we need to reform our institutional framework, and the report offers several solutions.

Earlier this month, the Union of European Federalists sent a letter to Charles Michel, President of the European Council, requesting to put a decision point on the call for a Convention at the agenda of the next European leaders’ summit in Brussels. Today, the UEF reiterates this call.

Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF said: "Of course, there is still a long way to go. First of all, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, must put the issue on the agenda of the next European Council meeting in January or March 2024 at the latest. Secondly, a majority [...] will have to be sought. All this before the European elections in June. What is certain is that the Spanish government, during its rotating presidency of the Council, has done its job in this area, and with distinction.”

The UEF also urges Charles Michel to start working towards a majority to agree to the establishment of a Convention, with the help of the Belgian rotating presidency of the EU, to start in January 2024.

The UEF, through its sections, will be pressing national governments to support the call for a Convention; and in parallel will closely follow the developments at the European Council, and will continuously advocate for this crucial reform in the interest of European citizens. Should you wish to participate in this activity, you can join the UEF or one of its sections in Europe.