Brussels 21 March 2024
Almost two years after the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe, where citizens gave a clear mandate for EU Treaty reform, a convention has yet to be conveyed. On 22 November 2023, the European Parliament adopted its proposal to amend the Treaties and triggered the procedure of Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union. Yet, there has been a lack of reaction from the European Council and the Convention item requested by the EP is not yet on the agenda of any meeting. A simple majority in the European Council is enough to open the Convention, so this time the vetoes of a few states cannot be an excuse.
Together with our sections and our partners from the Spinelli Group, European Movement International (EMI) and the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) we have written letters to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and to the President of the EU Council Charles Michel, as well as the heads of each EU Member State. In light of the European Council meeting on 21-22 March, it is the duty of the European Council and the heads of State to respect the will of the citizens and strengthen the European Union.
Given the challenges we are facing, and keeping in mind the relaunch of enlargement, it is more necessary than ever to update our policies and initiate a reform of our institutional framework. Not only for the betterment of our current Union, but also, with an outlook to an European Union of possibly 36 Member States.
“You have a proposal from the European Parliament. The European Parliament activated Article 48, which is an article on the constitutional reform procedure. How long will the European Council continue to abuse our patience?” said Domènec Ruiz Devesa, MEP and UEF President in his intervention in the European Parliament debate of 12 March for Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024.
The climate crisis, defence and foreign policy, enlargement, digitalisation, energy, healthcare, industrial policy, democracy and rule of law are just some of the challenges Europe needs to tackle. Every day, war, crises and great power politics demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen European institutions and better respond to global challenges and the needs of citizens.
Historically, the European project has always been ambitious and bold. To face the uncertain times of today, we must stay ambitious and give Europe the necessary tools to move forward and boldly face the challenges of our quickly changing world.
Links and references:
List of the letters sent by UEF or its national sections or JEF national sections to the members of the European Council in view of the EUCO meeting of 21-22 March 2024
- Austria, Letter to Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer LINK
- Belgium, Letter to Prime Minister Alexander De Croo LINK
- Bulgaria, Letter to Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov LINK
- Croatia, Letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković LINK
- Republic of Cyprus, Letter to President Nikos Christodoulides, LINK
- Czech Republic, Letter to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, LINK
- Denmark, Letter to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen LINK
- Estonia, Letter to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas LINK
- Finland, Letter to the Prime Minister Petteri Orpo LINK
- France, Letter to the President Emmanuel Macron LINK
- Germany, Letter to Federal Chancellor Olaf Sholz LINK
- Greece, Letter to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis LINK
- Hungary, Letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orban LINK
- Ireland, Letter to The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar LINK
- Italy, Letter to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni LINK
- Latvia, Letter to Prime Minister Evika Siliņa LINK
- Lithuania, Letter to President Gitanas Nausėda LINK
- Luxembourg, Letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden LINK
- Malta, Letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela LINK
- Netherlands, Letter to Prime Minister Mark Rutte LINK
- Poland, Letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk LINK
- Portugal, Letter to Prime Minister Antonio Costa LINK
- Romania, Letter to President Klaus Werner Iohannis LINK
- Slovakia, Letter to Prime Minister Robert Fico LINK
- Slovenia, Letter to Prime Minister Robert Gobob LINK
- Spain, Letter to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez LINK
- Sweden, Letter to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson LINK
- President of the EU Council, Charles Michel LINK
- President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen LINK
Other relevant documents and webpages: