The Conference Plenary took stock of 88 citizens’ recommendations on migration, economy, jobs, education and youth among other matters. Putin's invasion of Ukraine and the EU's reaction to it featured prominently in the topical debates of this weekend. Ukrainian citizens and MPs joined the plenary.
Joined by Ukrainian citizens and MPs, the
Plenary dedicated a second full session to taking stock of
recommendations by the Conference's Citizens' Panels.
The Conference Plenary took stock of 88 recommendations made by the
European Citizens' Panels on ‘EU in the world / migration' and on ‘a
stronger economy, social justice and jobs / education, culture, youth
and sport / digital transformation', as well as related recommendations
from the national Citizens' Panels. Putin's invasion of Ukraine and the
EU's reaction to it featured prominently in the topical debates of this
weekend.
Representatives of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine,
Parliamentarians from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and representatives
of the association PromoUkraina, took the floor to share their views
during the conversation on ‘EU in the world'. Representatives from the
Western Balkans were also participating. You can re-watch their speeches
here.
Extracts of the Conference Plenary are available on EbS. All video, audio and photo coverage from the Working Groups and the Plenary debates is available on Parliament's Multimedia Centre.
Co-Chairs of the Conference's Executive Board:
The dramatic events in Ukraine are sending shockwaves
through our European Union, and this was very tangible throughout this
Plenary's debates. The conclusions of this Conference will need to
reflect that. It's clear the future will be different from what we could
imagine even a few weeks ago. So it will be necessary for Europe to
change, to deal with that future and with the new world order emerging.
— Guy Verhofstadt, European Parliament
We have now received all the recommendations formulated
by European citizens. The Conference Plenary must get to work to
translate these into concrete proposals. In the light of dramatic events
unfolding on our continent, reforming and reinforcing our Union is
imperative.
— Clément Beaune, French Presidency of the Council
While we are engaged in an exercise that brings us
closer to citizens, Putin is launching military action against Ukrainian
citizens that had voiced European aspirations. This is an attack on our
values and our way of life. Being European means that you are part of a
unique project, one that can everyone to live their full potential and
exercise their rights. That is why now, in these horrific circumstances,
the Conference is more important than ever, it is needed more than
ever.
— Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission
Next steps
On 25 - 26 March, the Conference Plenary will work on its proposals,
which will be based on the recommendations from both national and
European Citizens' Panels, the input gathered from the Multilingual
Digital Platform and debates in the Conference Plenary and Working
Groups, grouped by themes.
Background
The recommendations of the Panel on ‘EU in the world / migration', adopted at its final meeting in Maastricht (Netherlands) in February, are available here.
The recommendations of the Panel on ‘A stronger economy, social justice
and jobs / education, culture, youth and sport / digital
transformation', which were finalised in Dublin (Ireland) in February, can be found here. In each European Citizens' Panel,
around 200 Europeans of different ages and backgrounds, from all Member
States, met (in person and remotely) to discuss and adopt
recommendations on the challenges facing Europe now and in the future.
The Conference Plenary
comprises representatives from the European Parliament, the Council,
the European Commission, national Parliaments, and citizens. The
Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee, the
social partners, and civil society are also represented. The Plenary
will, based on consensus, put forward its proposals to the Executive
Board, for the latter to draw up the Conference's conclusions in full
collaboration and transparency with the Plenary.
Further information
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