These proposals, covering nine broad themes, were based on recommendations made by citizens during the European Citizens' Panels and the National Citizens' Panels, and who contributed their ideas through the Multilingual Digital Platform.
The European Commission has today
adopted a Communication setting out how it can follow up on the outcome
of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
After a year of deliberations, the
Conference came to an end on 9 May 2022. In the closing ceremony in
Strasbourg, the Presidents of the European Parliament, Commission and
Council received a final report from the Conference participants
containing 49 wide-ranging, ambitious and forward-looking proposals and
326 individual measures.
While the Conference has delivered in
both quantity and quality of proposals, its success will ultimately
hinge on the change that it can deliver. In this spirit, the European
Commission, along with both the European Parliament and Council, all
committed in the Joint Declaration of March 2021 to following up on what
was proposed - each within the framework of their competences and in
accordance with the Treaties. President von der Leyen repeated this commitment at the Conference closing ceremony.
Today's Communication is the first
step in the Commission's follow-up. It offers an assessment of what is
needed to follow up on the Conference's proposals, gives an overview of
the next steps and sets out how best to learn the lessons from the
Conference and embed participative democracy into the EU's policy and
law-making. For instance, building on the success of the European
Citizens' Panels in the Conference, the Commission will enable these
panels to deliberate and make recommendations ahead of certain key
proposals, as part of its wider policy making and in line with Better
Regulation principles.
President Ursula von der Leyen said:
“European citizens have given us rich and wide-ranging ideas to improve
our Union: 49 detailed proposals and more than 300 measures to make
everyday life better. To build a better future. We promised to follow
up. Today's Communication is the first step in doing so. I will always
stand by those who want to reform our Union for the better.”
Analysis of proposals and next steps
The Commission believes that for the
assessment of the proposals to be credible, it is essential to stick to
the spirit and the letter of what is proposed – without any
re-interpretation or selection. This is what is set out in the annex to
this Communication. The 49 proposals are divided up into the same
thematic areas chosen by the Conference, with the Commission's
assessment set out under each area.
The annex sets out four categories of
responses: existing initiatives that address the proposals (e.g. the
European Climate Law); those already proposed by the Commission where
the European Parliament and the Council are called upon to adopt (e.g.
the New Pact on Migration); planned actions which will deliver on the
ideas, building in new reflections from the Conference (e.g. the Media
Freedom Act); and new initiatives or areas of work inspired by the
proposals, falling within the remit of the Commission (e.g. issues
related to mental health).
The first set of new proposals will be announced in President von der Leyen's
State of the Union address in September 2022, as well as in the
accompanying Letter of Intent. These proposals will be amongst those to
be included in the 2023 Commission work programme and beyond. In
following up, the Commission will ensure that new reforms and policies
are not mutually exclusive to discussions on the need for Treaty change,
focusing on making the most of what is currently possible, while being
open to Treaty change where that will be necessary.
To keep the citizens who have
participated in the Conference informed, and to keep up the momentum, a
Conference feedback event will be organised in autumn 2022. This event
would be the moment for communicating and explaining how the three EU
institutions are following up and taking stock of progress at that stage
of the process.
Members of the College said:
Vice-President Dubravka Šuica: “The
success of the Conference on the Future of Europe is a result of the
dedication, engagement and rigour of all the citizens involved. They
have articulated their vision of the future and have entrusted us with
its delivery.”
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič: “People
from right across Europe put huge energy and effort into agreeing these
49 proposals. I witnessed this first-hand, particularly in the area of
health. It is now for us in the EU institutions to put that same energy
and effort into responding to their calls. By feeding the outcomes of
the Conference into the 2023 Commission Work Programme, we can
demonstrate clearly to citizens that not only have we listened to them,
we have heard them.”
Vice-President Věra Jourová: “The
Conference on the Future of Europe created momentum to listen more
attentively to the people of Europe. Now we must bring forth tangible
results. Today‘s Communication is the first step on the path to delivery
and provides for concrete follow-up to the recommendations presented by
citizens.”
European Commission
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