SPEECH/06/297
Margot Wallström
Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy Press Conference on “Citizen’s Agenda”
Press Conference by Margot Wallström Brussels, 10 May 2006
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In October 2005, the Commission presented a “Plan D”, where D stands for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate. Plan D was triggered by the French and Dutch referenda. Yet, it is not meant to be a rescue operation for the Constitution, nor is it limited in time to the reflection period: it is a starting point for a long term democratic reform process.
The political thrust is to create a citizens’ ownership of EU policies – the citizen’s Union. This process will take time and it will require a genuine commitment by the Member States, but also by the EU Institutions. The success will ultimately be measured by the EU’s capacity and willingness to listen, and to subsequently deliver better policy results.
The period of reflection, decided almost a year ago, allowed for an overall assessment of the national debates to be made in June 2006. I want to tell you what lessons so far we draw from those debates.
First, there is an apparent appetite for debate on where Europe should act. There were constructive and forward looking initiatives taken by some Member States; public debates and fora, an active outreach to national parliaments – the Commission has participated in over 100 meetings with National Parliaments since October 2005, to regions and to the local level. The EU would clearly benefit from more such initiatives being taken by more Member States.Such initiatives should become more permanent- democracy takes time and commitment. It is particularly important to involve young people and thus develop their sense of active European citizenship.
Lesson Number 2: Citizens have a fairly low knowledge and interest in how the EU Institutions operate. At the same time they have high expectations on delivery and policy. They do not reject Europe. On the contrary, they have high expectations of Europe and Europe’s added value. They also want a "listening", Europe which solves real problems. So less abstract words, more concrete action.
Lesson number 3: While defining a “modern social agenda”, the most important lesson we have learned during recent months is that the EU must not be seen as the threat to social models, but rather as its “safety-net” in a globalised world, a tool to harness globalisation. EU needs to continue to put forward ideas and proposals to withstand the tests of demographic challenges, open markets while addressing citizens concerns and needs for security.
Enlargement and the borders of Europe are the second predominant issue, with more and more citizens questioning if not the principle itself, certainly the scope and the pace. Recent enlargement has been one of the most important achievements of European integration. It has also brought many concrete benefits. However, the EU needs leadership in communicating it, in order to avoid fear and prejudice. Broad public support is essential for everything the Union does, including enlargement. It is a joint effort: the Member States must explain and build support for policies they have agreed unanimously. The Commission will complement this by engaging in a dialogue with key actors in politics, media, academia, business, social partners and civil society.
What do we do with what we have heard? The on-going debate is a very serious exercise, and we cannot seek to escape from providing the answers to the questions raised. We might like some of the issues; we might not. But the point is: we have to take them seriously. Citizens want to have their say. They look for European leadership; even if they have mixed feelings about membership in the EU or the way the Union works. They trust the European Union on policy delivery.
Let me finish with a few words on institutional matters. Five countries that had not yet ratified the Constitution before the launching of the period of reflection have done so (CY, end of June 2005; LU, by referendum, in July 2005; MT July 2005; BE, final approval by Flemish Parliament in February 2006). Estonia’s parliament voted yesterday – which we welcome as an important sign of Estonia’s European commitment, and Finland is planning to do the same (also by parliamentary procedure). This would bring to 16 the number of countries having ratified the Constitution, including the coming Presidency. New ratifications and the efforts towards future ratifications should be welcomed. It is important to listen to the views and the positions of these countries which said “No”, but it is equally important to register and to listen to the voices of those who say “Yes”. We are attached to the principle of equality of Member States.
The Commission’s commitment to democracy, dialogue and debate as well as more transparency and openness will not end with the conclusion of the period of reflection.
The Commission will continue to implement the 13 actions decided in Plan D in October 2005, and is open to introducing new actions. In so doing, it will depend on a continued close cooperation with the EU Institutions and the Member States.
