Conference on EU citizenship and the rights that go with it
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The European Commission designated 2013 as the European Year of Citizens with the aim of raising awareness about EU citizenship and the rights and responsibilities this brings with it.
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The Year provides an opportunity for EU citizens to learn about the rights and opportunities open to them through EU citizenship, including the right to free movement of persons, settlement and employment across the EU, the right to protection by the diplomatic and consular authorities of any EU country, and the right to engage in the EU’s democratic life.
Among the activities taking place during this European Year, the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC), which is the official National Contact Point in Malta for the European Year of Citizens, organised a conference about EU citizenship and the rights that go with it.
During the opening address, the Hon. Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties said that the debate in society should focus on putting into practice the rights associated with EU citizenship for the benefit of citizens. She emphasised that, “One must bear in mind that citizens should feel these rights in their daily life.”
Minister Dalli said that, through MEUSAC, the Government continues to raise awareness and foster the debate on European citizenship.
The conference focused on the EU Citizenship Report 2013 that the European Commission published last May. The participants had the opportunity to discuss some of the twelve actions proposed in this report, namely “Removing obstacles for workers and trainees in the EU”, “Protecting the more vulnerable in the EU”, “Participating in the democratic life of the EU”, and “Targeted and accessible information in the EU”.
Head of MEUSAC Dr. Vanni Xuereb said: “EU citizens are encouraged to participate in fora on EU policies and issues. This conference was the right forum for those present to discuss issues arising from the Report of the European Commission: ‘EU Citizenship Report 2013 – EU citizens: your rights, your future’.”
Mr. Martin Bugelli, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, referred to the recent Eurobarometer survey, which revealed that, besides feeling informed about their EU rights, Maltese citizens actively participate in the European democratic process.
Dr Peter Agius, Head of the European Parliament Office in Malta, said that the European Year of Citizens should focus on the rights each EU citizen is entitled to, stating that, “If EU citizenship does not produce real benefits it just remains an abstract concept.”
In the coming weeks, MEUSAC will be organising a series of public debates in various localities with the participation of experts in their respective fields related to European citizenship.
The conference and the public debates are financed by the European Commission as part of the Operations of the Joint Communication Plan 2013 between the Government of Malta, the European Commission and the European Parliament
For further details about the European Year of Citizens 2013, visit www.meusac.gov.mt and http://europa.eu/citizens-2013.