WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER: UEF KOSOVO

During the Federal Committee Meeting of the UEF in July, the application for membership of the Kosovar section was confirmed! We warmly welcome our federalist friends from UEF Kosovo and are looking forward to our cooperation!

Here below is the link of the welcome speech by UEF President Sandro Gozi:

WELCOME TO UEF KOSOVO BY SANDRO GOZI by European Federalists

Immagine sopra primo link - UEF

Rainer Wieland, MEP and President of the Europa-Union Deutchland (EUD), attended the constituent meeting of the Executive Board of the UEF Kosovo on 26 May in the Europahaus in Pristina as a guest of honour and participant in the discussion. Here below some photos of that events.

The first General Assembly meeting elected the Executive Board:

Emrush Ujkani - President
Era Jashari - Vice President
Rina Mehana - Secretary General
Granit Terrnava - member of the Board
Alban Kryeziu - member of the Board

For more contacts: uef.kosovo@gmail.com / +383 49 887 666

Here below is the link to a video showing some beautiful precious moments:

THE FOUNDATION OF UEF KOSOVO by European Federalists

Quadrata x 2 link - UEF

The Union of European Federalists welcomes the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU candidate list and advocates for the deepening of our institutions

As European leaders met in Brussels on 23 and 24 July in Brussels to discuss the war in Ukraine, the Membership applications of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, and the follow-up of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), the Union of European Federalists (UEF) calls on the head of states and of governments for immediate action to empower Europe.

The UEF welcomes the candidacy of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU. The decision of European leaders to grant candidate status to these two Eastern-European countries is a historic decision that will shape the destiny of our European community.

Nevertheless, the federalists consider that enlargement should go hand in hand with deeper integration. It is now urgent to reform the functioning rules of the European Union. We ask that the recent decision from the European Parliament to open the revision of the treaties is followed by a similar decision from the European Council.

The revision of the treaty will allow for important reforms in our Union. In particular, the UEF advocates for:

Sandro Gozi, President of the UEF said: “On the 9th of May, the three institutions undertook a solemn engagement to translate the proposals made in the context of the Conference into concrete actions. While it is true that much can be done within the framework of the existing Treaties, a deeper reform of the EU is needed. The recent crisis highlight the need to create new competencies in the areas of health, energy, and foreign policy to avoid repeating our past mistakes. The European Parliament lived up to this promise by triggering the treaty revision procedure. Now, the Council needs to show the same degree of ambition as soon as possible, without taboos nor totem!”

Two weeks ago, a vote of the European Parliament endorsed the results of the CoFoE and called on the Council to initiate the process of revising the EU Treaties.

We take not of today’s position of the European leaders and hope that the results of the CoFoE will be discussed soon. The deepening of our institutions cannot wait. It is the only way for Europe to answer the present energetic, economic, social, and geopolitical crisis.

The European federalists will continue to advocate in favor of the recommendations of the CoFoE and for the convening of a Convention on the Reform of the Treaties, at both national and European levels.

In the paper, some eminent experts of the Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE), the Italian section of the Union of European Federalists, outline a series of reforms of the EU institutional architecture, which might streamline and democratise the functioning to the Union.

Sandro Gozi, European Parliament member and Union of European Federalists President, has sent to the Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) and of the The Spinelli Group the last issue of the series Federalist papers “The European Union and the return of war. The Urgent need for a federal Europe, Sovereign and Democratic” with the introduction of Sandro Gozi itself.

Here the paper in PDF (English language)Download

In the paper, some eminent experts of the Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE), the Italian section of the Union of European Federalists, outline a series of reforms of the EU institutional architecture, which might streamline and democratise the functioning to the Union.

For instance, it is proposed:

We public here the introduction written from Sandro Gozi

"European unity, as we have known it since 1951, was built on the ashes of the Second World War, the most devastating conflict in the history of humankind. Now, eighty years on, war has returned to our continent, and it is drawing increasingly and dangerously close to the borders of the European Union. However, Putin’s attempt to exploit the divisions between the twenty-seven member states has failed, and indeed only reinforced the sense of belonging and unity that had already emerged during the pandemic. While pro-European forces certainly cannot but draw satisfaction from the emergence of this new “geopolitical” Union, the unprecedented political cohesion we are witnessing today must not result in political immobility, or short-sighted acceptance of the way the Treaties, in their current form, are limiting the scope for affirmation of a truly transnational political system. Rather, the EU’s current capacity for action, limited by the competences attributed to it, as well as by the fact that unanimity is still required in numerous areas, should drive us to demand, more insistently than ever, a sovereign and democratic Europe. It is, above all, crucial to overcome the idea that the single twenty-seven nations have a monopoly on democracy, and that this can be exercised solely within their own borders.

The very survival of Europe’s nation-states, now incapable of guaranteeing their own vital interests in the face of a world made of “empires”, from Russia to China, hinges on the success of this transnational project. The main challenges faced by the world every day, such as climate change, the digital transition, and the safeguarding of multilateralism, are indeed transnational issues and, as such, cannot be addressed through unilateral actions by the single nation-states, whose influence has declined dramatically. At the same time, the attribution of new competences to the EU must necessarily be accompanied by the creation of a genuine European political space, to be achieved through the progressive affirmation of transnational political and civic subjects as the main protagonists of truly European elections and debate.

Today, the EU cannot yet call itself fully democratic, or a power, or less still sovereign. This was, in fact, one of the main conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which saw participating citizens calling upon European and national politics to make the EU more social, greener, and above all more democratic and attentive to the demands of its citizens. Such an appeal cannot and must not go unheeded. The European Parliament, abiding by its commitment, immediately approved the reform of electoral law that introduces transnational lists, and voted to trigger Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, thereby initiating the procedure for amending the Treaties, asking the European Council to convene, at the earliest opportunity, a Convention for this purpose. I think the ideas and proposals set out in this “federalist paper” can contribute in a concrete and constructive way to the democratisation of the EU in the context of this imminent process of European reform.

Deeming it now indispensable, we want a federal, sovereign and democratic Europe, aimed at defending the values and principles of peace, multilateralism and cooperation between free and sovereign countries, as well as national and local values, interests and identities; and ready to act as a power on the global stage to more effectively manage the problems and challenges which the nation-states have lost the ability to control."

In the paper, some eminent experts of the Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE), the Italian section of the Union of European Federalists, outline a series of reforms of the EU institutional architecture, which might streamline and democratise the functioning to the Union.

Sandro Gozi, European Parliament member and Union of European Federalists President, has sent to the Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) and of the The Spinelli Group the last issue of the series Federalist papers “The European Union and the return of war. The Urgent need for a federal Europe, Sovereign and Democratic” with the introduction of Sandro Gozi itself.

Here the paper online

Here the paper in PDF 

In the paper, some eminent experts of the Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE), the Italian section of the Union of European Federalists, outline a series of reforms of the EU institutional architecture, which might streamline and democratise the functioning to the Union.

For instance, it is proposed:

We public here the introduction written from Sandro Gozi

"European unity, as we have known it since 1951, was built on the ashes of the Second World War, the most devastating conflict in the history of humankind. Now, eighty years on, war has returned to our continent, and it is drawing increasingly and dangerously close to the borders of the European Union. However, Putin’s attempt to exploit the divisions between the twenty-seven member states has failed, and indeed only reinforced the sense of belonging and unity that had already emerged during the pandemic. While pro-European forces certainly cannot but draw satisfaction from the emergence of this new “geopolitical” Union, the unprecedented political cohesion we are witnessing today must not result in political immobility, or short-sighted acceptance of the way the Treaties, in their current form, are limiting the scope for affirmation of a truly transnational political system. Rather, the EU’s current capacity for action, limited by the competences attributed to it, as well as by the fact that unanimity is still required in numerous areas, should drive us to demand, more insistently than ever, a sovereign and democratic Europe. It is, above all, crucial to overcome the idea that the single twenty-seven nations have a monopoly on democracy, and that this can be exercised solely within their own borders.

The very survival of Europe’s nation-states, now incapable of guaranteeing their own vital interests in the face of a world made of “empires”, from Russia to China, hinges on the success of this transnational project. The main challenges faced by the world every day, such as climate change, the digital transition, and the safeguarding of multilateralism, are indeed transnational issues and, as such, cannot be addressed through unilateral actions by the single nation-states, whose influence has declined dramatically. At the same time, the attribution of new competences to the EU must necessarily be accompanied by the creation of a genuine European political space, to be achieved through the progressive affirmation of transnational political and civic subjects as the main protagonists of truly European elections and debate.

Today, the EU cannot yet call itself fully democratic, or a power, or less still sovereign. This was, in fact, one of the main conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which saw participating citizens calling upon European and national politics to make the EU more social, greener, and above all more democratic and attentive to the demands of its citizens. Such an appeal cannot and must not go unheeded. The European Parliament, abiding by its commitment, immediately approved the reform of electoral law that introduces transnational lists, and voted to trigger Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, thereby initiating the procedure for amending the Treaties, asking the European Council to convene, at the earliest opportunity, a Convention for this purpose. I think the ideas and proposals set out in this “federalist paper” can contribute in a concrete and constructive way to the democratisation of the EU in the context of this imminent process of European reform.

Deeming it now indispensable, we want a federal, sovereign and democratic Europe, aimed at defending the values and principles of peace, multilateralism and cooperation between free and sovereign countries, as well as national and local values, interests and identities; and ready to act as a power on the global stage to more effectively manage the problems and challenges which the nation-states have lost the ability to control."

The European Parliament confirms the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and calls for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties

In the light of the current crises, the European Union has shown not to be a fully democratic and sovereign power. It is one of the main conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), which ended on 9 May 2022. On that day, which celebrated the Schuman Declaration of 1950, European citizens, through the CoFoE conclusions, called on European representatives and political leaders to reform the European Union to make it fit for the challenges of the modern world.

The European federalists are convinced that the starting point of this process is the launch of a Convention that defines the new rules of the European project by revising the Treaties.

Yesterday's vote of the European Parliament endorses the results of the CoFoE and calls on the European Council to initiate the process of revising the EU Treaties, under Article 48 of the Treaty on the European Union, by convening a Convention. The resolution was adopted at the Strasbourg plenary with 355 votes in favor, 154 against, and 48 abstentions.

This vote is a step forward for a more federal, sovereign and democratic Europe, and an important victory for the European federalists. The resolution calls for a reform of Europe’s institutional architecture, an issue that has been the main focus of federalist activity during the CoFoE, through the mobilisation of citizens on the multilingual platform futureu.europa.eu, and the work of its members in the CoFoE Plenary and the Democracy working group.

The resolution includes some of the most important demands for the reform of the European Union, as formulated in the CoFoE conclusions and supported by the European federalists.
In particular:

Sandro Gozi, President of the UEF said: "The conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the demands of European citizens are clear: Europe will either be democratic and powerful or it will not be. Today, citizens expect a good outcome from the Parliament: we wanted this open debate with them, and now we have to respect our commitments and reform the treaties.
The world has changed, war has returned to our continent and has shown our weaknesses even more. We live in an age of empires where we have to decide whether to exist or disappear: unanimity is the guarantee of our disappearance.”

The European Council will discuss the conclusions of the CoFoE on the agenda for its next meeting on the 23 and 24 June. The European federalists will continue to advocate in favor of the recommendations of the CoFoE and for the convening of a Convention on the Reform of the Treaties, at both national and European levels.

Download here the PDF version

Download here the Resolution adopted​​​​​​​

Press release of UEF - Make Europe Bloom Brussels

On 9 May 2022, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) unveiled a mural on the Future of Europe by urban artist Antonyo Marest in the heart of the Esplanade campus of the University of Strasbourg. The artwork was painted in the framework of UEF’s project “MAKE EUROPE BLOOM: the Time is Now!”. The creation of the mural was part of the Strasbourg Summit programme, which brought together all the actors of European civil society from 5 to 8 May, as well as of the Lieu d’Europe project of the City of Strasbourg.

The inauguration was attended by local representatives, among which: Ms Carole Zielinski, Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg in charge of Local Democracy, Citizens' Initiatives and Participation, Mr Nicolas Matt, Vice-president of the European Collectivity of Alsace, Mr Michel Deneken, President of the University of Strasbourg, Mr Mathieu Schneider, Vice-President of the University of Strasbourg. Local sections of the UEF and citizens took part in the event.

image 3 - UEF

MAKE EUROPE BLOOM: The Time Is Now! is a project organised by the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and funded by the European Parliament. This project aims at raising awareness on the importance of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) and its results presented on 9 May 2022.

Officially launched on Europe Day 2021, MAKE EUROPE BLOOM: The Time Is Now! carries out activities in different European cities. The first mural in Valencia, Spain, completed in July 2021, marked the start of this project, expected to last until June 2022. After Strasbourg, the next mural will be delivered at the end of May in Tartu, Estonia.

In addition, building on President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen’s 2020 State of the Union speech, this project also contributes to setting up the New European Bauhaus, a cultural and green architectural project, by mirroring citizens’ feelings on Europe through art. In order to meet this innovative approach, the UEF is counting on renowned urban artists to help us make Europe bloom with their art.

The creative process drew from the will of citizens. Before the production, UEF and the city of Strasbourg distributed an online survey among citizens, NGOs, and various local organisations. Antonyo Marest and his team created the mural from its results, which was then carried out.

image 4 - UEF

The mural in Strasbourg consists of two side-by-side frescoes that interact with each other. Its creation on Strasbourg’s university campus makes it an excellent channel for communication and reflection for students and citizens.

On the left mural, the slogan 'Make Europe Bloom' can be seen in the bottom right-hand corner, the name of the project. Its font and colour scheme recalls the colours of the European flag, translating a symbol into a call to action.

On the right fresco, symbolism takes precedence over words, where two stars, one emerging and one being born, are incorporated into the scene to become part of the larger symbol that represents freedom, unity, and strength of free countries, alongside the flag of the European Union.

The artist is aware of the current situation in Ukraine and of its urgency. Identity symbols characterised by graphic icons such as the scales, laurel, bridges or clasping hands, chosen by the people who took part in the survey, have lost their meaning and have been decontextualised in their figuration. It plants the vibrant return of the notion and essence of Europe.

With these frescoes, artist Antonyo Marest has chosen to synthesise as much as possible the diversity and differences between our countries, as well as those that are found in each of us as complementary members of a complex society. Beyond shapes and colours, this singularity fits perfectly into a social map where no State can exercise a hegemony of criteria of size, strength, or intensity. It is a composition that, as a social map, shows us the maximum exponent of our rights, the greatest of virtues, the capacity for integration and growth.

The establishment of equality between citizens and Member States makes our society more democratic, fairer, more progressive and, above all, it creates a reference for the future to attract new countries to the path towards a better future.

image 5 - UEF

PRESENTATION OF THE MURAL BY THE ARTIST

(ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH)

Press Contact:

anna.echterhoff@federalists.eu

Anna ECHTERHOFF
Secretary General

On the Europe Day UEF participated with UEF Austria, JEF Austria, Europe Direct Wien, R9 channel, contribute to the organization of The Online Symposius about the future of Europe.

Watch below the registration of the various interventions moderated by Nana Waltzer

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