European Movement News

INVITATION: EMI Conference, "European identity - in the eyes of Kierkegaard", 14 May 2013 in Brussels

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:56:00 +0200

The European Movement International (EMI) is pleased to invite you to its next conference on the theme "European identity - in the eyes of Kierkegaard", taking place on 14 May 2013 at the Danish Church in Brussels.

The conference will be organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark and the Danish Cultural Institute. It will focus on the current crisis oriented debate on Europe and European identity in view of Søren Kierkegaards legacy, who would have turned 200 on 5 May 2013.

EMI President Jo Leinen and Danish Ambassador to Belgium Poul Skytte Christoffersen will be opening the conference. Please see below for a more detailed programme.

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Title: "European identity - in the eyes of Kierkegaard"

Date and Time: 14 May 2013 from 16.00 - 19.30

Agenda: For the programme, please click here

Speakers: CVs of the speakers, please click here

Venue: Danish Church, Rue Washington 27-29, 1050 Brussels

Registration: Please send an E-Mail to Lina Christensen at linsch@um.dk and confirm your participation latest by 8 May 2013.

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Contact:

Marine Vallet

European Movement
Square de Meeûs 25
B-1000 Brussels
Phone: (+32-2) 508 30 88
Fax: (+32-2) 508 30 89

EMI Training Academy: Register for the next sessions !

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:46:00 +0200

Registrations are open for the next sessions:
24-30 June in Brussels
9-15 September in Strasbourg

The programmes will include visits to the EU Institutions, meetings with MEPs, officials from the European Commission and Council, EEAS, EESC, Council of Europe, professionals from lobby organizations, NGOs, youth organisations, EU political parties etc.

There will also be plenty of free time for sightseeing and fun with fellow students from around the world. Don't miss this unforgettable experience!

To register, please send a full CV and motivation letter to:
training-academy(at) europeanmovement.eu

Deadlines for registration:
- June session: 15 June 2013
- September session: 15 July 2013

More information on www.acad-emi.org

EMI supports European Parliament in refusal of MFF 2014-2020

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:04:00 +0100

The agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 reached by the European Council in February 2013 is of limited suitability to tackle the challenges ahead and – in its current form - constitutes a missed chance for a reformed and more effective EU budget. Although the heads of state and government repeatedly acknowledged the need for growth enhancing and job creating measures on the European level as well as increased investment in research and education, the agreement foresees a reduction of 3.5 % in comparison to the current MFF with payments falling to 0.95 % of EU GNI.

The EMI welcomes the decrease of market-related expenditure and direct payments in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but too little resources have been reallocated to priority areas such as education and youth programmes, pan-European infrastructure, research and innovation or energy and climate technologies, which are vital for Europe’s competitiveness and the successful implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy. EU Member States remained reluctant to substantially reform the budgetary system of the EU by decreasing GNI-based contributions and replacing them with genuine own-resources.

The EMI therefore fully supports the European Parliament in its refusal to adopt the MFF, if the conditions of the Parliament’s resolutions of 23 October 2012 and 13 March 2013 are not met. Those conditions include conformity with the Treaties through the prevention of a structural deficit, maximum flexibility between and within headings, as well as between financial years and a compulsory and comprehensive revision of the MFF by the next European Parliament and Commission after the 2014 European elections to ensure full democratic legitimacy.

Europe will only be able to emerge from this crisis through a collective European effort, united by one common budget that provides the necessary financial flexibility and capability to fulfill the commitments deriving from the Lisbon Treaty and the Europe 2020 strategy.

Brussels, 21 March 2013

Nomination of top-candidates in European Elections will spur voters' interest

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:00:00 +0100

"The nomination of top-candidates for the post of Commission President by the European Parties for the 2014 European Elections will personalize the election campaign and enable citizens to directly choose the head of the EU's executive. This will lead to increased voters' interest and ultimately help the creation of a European public sphere", said Jo Leinen, President of the European Movement International (EMI), after the Commission issued a recommendation with this regard to the European Parties and the Member States.

"The European Movement International strongly welcomes Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding's support for similar calls by the EMI and the European Parliament”, commented Jo Leinen.

"The political parties in the Member States must also comprehensively inform the citizens about the program their top-candidates and European political families stand for", concluded Leinen.

The EMI Federal Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the nomination of top-candidates already in November 2011 and repeatedly reaffirmed its position. The European Parliament took a similar stance in November 2012.

Related Links:

EMI Resolution - Nomination of top candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission

EMI Press Release - Beyond the Crisis: Achieving a Europe of Citizens, not only a Europe of States

EP Press Release - 2014 elections: give European voters bigger say on Commission, say MEPs

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Editor's Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu

Schengen: Romanians and Bulgarians must enjoy full EU citizens' rights

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:30:00 +0100

"The Council must not deny EU citizens their fundamental right to move freely within the EU to travel and to work. German Interior Minister Friedrich is taking the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria hostage of national party politics, hoping for political gains in the upcoming German federal elections", said Jo Leinen, President of the European Movement International (EMI), in the run-up to the Justice and Home Affairs Council on Thursday.

"Friedrich's threat to veto the Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania is arbitrary and puts the unity of the European Union at risk. It is against the European idea to divide the people into 'good' and 'bad' citizens - the Treaties grant the same rights to every European", Leinen continued.

"The decision if Bulgaria and Romania should be allowed to join the Schengen Area must be based on the two countries' compliance with the EU's criteria rather than politically motivated double-standards", Jo Leinen concluded. The European Commission and the European Parliament have considered Bulgaria and Romania fit to join the Schengen Area since 2011.

At its last Members Council meeting in Cyprus the EMI has by unanimity adopted a resolution, asking the EU to extend the Schengen Area also to citizens coming from Bulgaria and Romania.

To download the resolution, please click here

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Editor's Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu

Second meeting of the EMI "Tbilisi Process" - Peaceful conflict resolution in the South Caucasus

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:44:00 +0100

“The Tbilisi Process initiated by the European Movement International and its National Councils in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia aims at promoting mutual understanding and at building confidence, involving citizens and civil society in an active dialogue in the South Caucasus”, said Diogo Pinto, EMI Secretary General, upon his return from a regional meeting in Tbilisi last week-end.

Mr Pinto continued saying that “a peaceful resolution of the current South Caucasus conflicts is the only way forward and the EMI and its partners aim to create an environment where citizens perceive each other as friends and neighbors rather than as enemies”.

Already at a first meeting in August 2012, creating peace had been defined by all partners as the main priority for their work in favor of the European integration of their countries, leading to an initial text, jointly adopted and later proclaimed as “Tbilisi Declaration”.

EMI President Jo Leinen added that “it was the peaceful settlement of a conflict and in this context the Franco-German reconciliation that led to the establishment of the European Union. European integration is closely linked to the creation of peace and should be the main priority for the South Caucasus”.

The partners have agreed to meet again, in June 2013, in Baku.

Download the final declaration of the 2nd meeting of the Tbilisi Process, please click here

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Editor's Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu

EU-referendum chance for a serious debate in the UK about the EU

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:01:00 +0100

"The announcement of a referendum on the UK's membership in the EU is a chance for an honest debate in the UK. With British membership at stake, there will be a more fact-based discussion about the pros and cons of the country's role in the EU and the one-sided coverage of the European Union and superficial "EU-bashing" in the British public sphere will come to an end", said Jo LEINEN, President of the European Movement International (EMI). The EMI welcomes any development fostering a broad and fair public debate about European integration.

"I am confident that pro-European forces in the UK will be very vocal in the debate and not leave the field to the euro-sceptics of UKIP and that a strong European Movement will emerge. Not only British business leaders, but also citizens from all parts of society don't want to lose the benefits of membership in the EU", said LEINEN.

Petros Fassoulas, Chairman of the European Movement UK said that "the European Movement UK will continue campaigning and informing the debate around the benefits of EU Membership like it has been doing for years. With the support of mainstream politicians, business and all the social partners we are confident to win the argument".

"The speech by David Cameron was clearly driven by British party politics and didn't reveal anything new about the UK's relationship to the EU", commented Jo LEINEN. The speech's purpose was to calm down the euro-sceptic backbenchers in the Conservative Party and the anti-Europeans of UKIP and not to find solutions for the challenges we're facing in Europe.

The European Movement UK has published a letter in today's Guardian newspaper, calling for and underlining the need of the UK’s future membership of the EU.

To read the European Movement UK Letter on the Referendum, please click here

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For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu

European Movement celebrates Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:45:00 +0100

On Monday 10th December 2012 the European Movement International (EMI) will celebrate the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union with events in Oslo and in many other European cities.

The day starts with a conference debate "Restoring Hope: The European Union and Peace" on Monday morning in Oslo with the participation of EMI President Jo Leinen, Vice Presidents of the European Commission Viviane Reding and Maroš Šefčovič, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs Andreas D. Mavroyiannis and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The leadership of the European Movement is then invited to take part in the official Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony at the Oslo City Hall and later to take part at the EU Delegations reception at the Oslo Concert Hall.

In the early evening (18:00) a torchlight procession will leave Oslo Central Station towards the city centre. Later, at 19:30, a big European party starts in central Oslo at club Stratos. In many other cities European Movement chapters will organise public events accompanying the Peace Prize celebrations.

In May 2012 the Federal Assembly of the EMI in Brussels had adopted a resolution to nominate the EU for the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Right from the end of World War II it has been the citizens of Europe that mobilised support and fought for European unity and against nationalism and racism - the demons of the past," stated EMI President Jo Leinen. The Nobel Peace Prize therefore belongs to the 500 Million citizens in the EU and not only to the European Institutions.

For more information please also visit http://fredsprisen.org/

Download an overview of the EM Norway activities, please click here

Download overall programme for the Nobel Peace Prize celebrations in Norway, please click here

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu

New European Convention appropriate instrument to facilitate necessary Treaty changes

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:03:00 +0100

"The European Movement International (EMI) is deeply concerned about the persisting trend to debate and decide about the future of the European project in closed circles, especially the European Council," said Jo LEINEN, President of the EMI, after its Members' Council in Nicosia/Cyprus on 30 November 2012.

A genuine and fully functioning European Economic and Monetary Union can only be achieved through changes in EU primary law. The EMI stresses that the discussion about a revision of the Treaties must be carried out in a public, democratic and transparent form. "A new European Convention with the participation of the European Parliament, the national parliaments and governments and the European Commission with close involvement of the civil society is the only appropriate instrument," commented LEINEN.

In light of the crisis one of the main challenges is to regain trust in the EU institutions, policy-making and the European project as a whole. "We must define a new fair European Deal together with politicians, citizens, employers and employees, adjusted to the needs of our time," LEINEN added.

In order to feed the discussion about Europe's future and raise the voice of the pro-European civil society, the Members Council of the European Movement International (EMI) adopted a resolution on the “Lessons from the financial and economic crisis and its implications for the future of the EU”. The resolution was prepared on the basis of contributions from the EMI network and a high level EMI workshop recently organised in Brussels.

Download: EMI Resolution on “Lessons from the financial and economic crisis and its implications for the future of the EU”

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Editor’s Note: The EMI is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu

No budget cuts for ERASMUS

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:39:00 +0100

“The education and youth programmes of the European Union are among the most successful instruments to promote European integration through mutual understanding and networking. They provide a more comprehensive educational background for the skilled workers and increase mobility so badly needed in the European Union,” said EMI President Jo Leinen after the EMI’s Members’ Council in Nicosia/Cyprus passed a resolution, which had been submitted by the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) and the European Students’ Forum (AEGEE).

“The funding for education and youth programmes amounts only to 1,85% of the EU’s overall budget, but has a tremendous impact on the young European citizens. Therefore even minimal cuts would entirely neglect the added value of these European programmes,” stressed Pauline Gessant, President of JEF Europe and EMI Board Member.

The Members’ Council of the European Movement International calls on the Member States to hold up their commitment to the objectives of the EU2020 Strategy, which can only be achieved through an increased investment in education, training, youth and sport programmes under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020).

To download the resolution and for more information, please click here

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: secretariat@europeanmovement.eu