The new premises, next to the European Movement International (EMI), provide office space, facilities for meetings, as well as a courtyard for smaller events.
Christian Wenning welcomed the audience stating: "With the new location a new chapter for UEF begins, a chapter of communication with citizens and bringing the federalists in the institutions and business together."
MEP Andrew Duff stressed in his speech the importance of strengthening common financial mechanisms and overcoming the current electoral system in order to establish a better Union: "The need for federalists to continue to promote the case for a stronger, more united Europe is as important as ever. To ensure fiscal rectitude and economic recovery the EU needs a decent federal budget and common economic policies. Mere 'coordination' is no longer enough. And if we are to strengthen the economic governance of Europe, the issue of the democratic legitimacy of the European Parliament comes to the fore: hence the need for electoral reform. The UEF is ready to lead the campaign on financial, economic and parliamentary reform."
In stressing the support of Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, Mr. Martin Selmayr told the federalists: “These are challenging times for Europe. The economic and financial crisis has made it more important than ever that Europeans counter populism, protectionism and efforts to look for easy scapegoats. We need to revitalise the European dream by a visible improvement of European economic governance, with clear rules of the game and determined financial market regulation as well as by concrete action for the benefit of citizens who want to move across borders in Europe. Be assured that Vice-President Reding will be at your side when engaging for a stronger and citizen-friendly Europe."
Editors' Note
The Union of European Federalists (UEF), founded in 1947 is a nongovernmental and supranational organisation dedicated to the promotion of a democratic and federal Europe. Not being affiliated to any political party, UEF is an autonomous political movement.
Press contact: +32 (0)2 508 30 30 | news@federaleurope.org
03 September, 2010
A new chapter in the lives of European Federalists
On September 2nd 2010, UEF held a first reception in its new premises at Square de Meeûs 25 in Brussels. UEF President Andrew Duff and Secretary-General Christian Wenning welcomed Members of the European Parliament, Administrators of Commission and Council, Representatives from Industry, NGOs and Boards of UEF Sections abroad. As a special guest, Professor Dr. Martin Selmayr, Head of Cabinet of Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
