19-02-2018 15:00
LIBE Mini hearing on EU Citizenship, 19 February 2018

LIBE Hearing on EU Citizenship
eu-citizenship.jpg © @ European Union 2018

The concept of Union citizenship was introduced in the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht in 1992. Union citizens enjoy the right to move and reside freely in other Member States, to vote and to stand as candidates in municipal and European elections, to petition the Parliament, to apply to the European Ombudsman, and to enjoy in a third country the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of any other Member State.

The Lisbon Treaty, signed in 2007, granted Union citizens another right - the right to start a Citizens' Initiative.

The European Parliament stated in its Resolution of 12 December 2017 that the efforts to promote EU citizenship are linked to the practical enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms and to the opportunity for every citizen to participate in the democratic life of the Union.

The aim of this public hearing is to listen to experts in EU citizenship and its relation with fundamental rights, including the rights of minorities to gain insight on the impact of EU citizenship in the life of the citizens but also in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Policies.