Citizens’ Parliament: the people say how they see the future of the EU 

Press Releases 
 
 

People from across Europe gathered in the European Parliament on Tuesday to share their views on the future of the European Union with MEPs. This event, called the Citizens’ Parliament, contributes to ongoing reflection on the EU as an asset for future, ahead of the EU heads of state or government meeting in Rome on 25 March.

In the morning, Parliament’s President Antonio Tajani, MEPs and staff attended a ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Also present were UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and singer Barbara Hendricks and Austrian writer Robert Menasse.


President Tajani, speaking at the ceremony held in the morning, said: “Together, we have worked to open up the world, improving rights and have contributed to helping countries come out of the darkness of dictatorship on our continent.”


“Europe is an ideal, it is our civilisation, is our identity, our freedom, our future”, he added.


Video recording of the ceremony on the 60th anniversary


During the Citizens’ Parliament, people from everywhere in Europe and MEPs debated youth unemployment, globalisation, security, climate change and the EU after Brexit. The meeting was opened by President Tajani and moderated by Vice-President Mairead McGuinness.


Video recording of the Citizens Parliament (soon available)


President Tajani stressed that the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome should be an opportunity to reconnect with citizens and propose a framework for reflection on achievements and the way forward.


Ongoing debate on the future of the EU


MEPs adopted three reports on the future of Europe during the February plenary. At the following plenary sitting in March, MEPs also discussed a European Commission strategy paper setting out five scenarios for future of the EU. At the end of this week, EU heads of state or government, together with the leaders of the three EU institutions, will gather in Rome to mark the 60th anniversary of the treaty and discuss the future.