Future of the EU: Parliament gives the floor to citizens

Source: European Parliament (EP) i, published on Monday, March 20 2017, 17:31.

The Treaty of Rome, signed sixty years ago, paved the way for economic integration and lasting peace on our continent and led to today’s European Union of more than 500 million citizens. In recent weeks MEPs have been reflecting on the progress achieved and the way forward, but they are also keen to hear from citizens. People from across Europe are invited to Parliament on 21 March to share their views on the European Union. Follow the debate live online.

Hundreds of Europeans will fill up the plenary chamber in Brussels to discuss what works and what doesn’t work in the EU and how it should evolve to respond to current and future challenges. Issues to be debated include youth unemployment, globalisation, security, climate change and the EU after Brexit.

The conference, named citizens’ parliament, will be opened by Parliament President Antonio Tajani and moderated by Vice-President Mairead McGuinness. Other MEPs will also join the discussion.

Tajani commented: "Tomorrow´s debate on future of Europe is for the citizens, by the citizens. The European Parliament, the only directly-elected institution, will host 751 Europeans ready to engage and push forward their ideas on our shared future. Our House is always their home."

In the morning Tajani, MEPs and Parliament staff will attend a ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Also present will be UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and singer Barbara Hendricks and Austrian writer Robert Menasse

Future of the EU

The citizens’ parliament is an important part of a series of political events that seek to reflect on what united Europe has achieved in the 60 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome and how it should change in the future.

MEPs adopted three reports on the future of Europe during the February plenary. At the beginning of March, MEPs discussed a strategy paper by the European Commission setting out five scenarios for the EU. At the end of the week, EU heads of state will gather in Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of the treaty and discuss the future.

Watch the event in the European Parliament live on Tuesday from 15.00 CET and share your thoughts online using the hashtag #EU60.

REF. : 20170314STO66703

Updated: ( 21-03-2017 - 13:19)

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