The Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) have published their comments on the European Commission White Paper on European Communication Policy.
A better communication strategy alone will not solve the current problems of the public opinion and understanding. If there are no decisive steps towards a real pan-European democratic process, critical feelings among the citizens are likely to increase.
But, in order to build citizens’ confidence in the European process, the federalists propose some concrete steps which can be taken immediately.
1. Open up the Council of Ministers
Democratic reforms will improve communication and public understanding of the EU. An immediate step, which does not require any change to the treaties, would be to have complete openness of the legislative sessions of the Council of Ministers.
2. Do not impose debate, but focus on policy delivery
The Commission should look for more »Erasmus type« policies that are positive for the people in their daily lives. The protection of the rights of air passengers is a step forward: we need more policies like that.
3. Bad politics can’t become good news
Simplify the issues, deal with the problems and the inefficiencies, and cut out the unnecessary policies.
4. Go local with multipliers
Build a stronger connection with local government and local associations of all kinds.
5. Enlist the national level
Member state governments should be reminded of their own need for a successful and popular European Union. They must therefore take part in the necessary communications process themselves.
Dr. Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER, UEF Secretary-General, said: “The European Union needs to demonstrate its relevance to the citizen. Some practical improvements in communication will make a big difference in the fight for a federal Europe."
Jan SEIFERT, JEF President, said “Young people in particular often feel isolated from the European process. The EU must act to fill that generation gap by taking young people and their concerns seriously.”
Notes to editors
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a nongovernmental and supranational organisation dedicated to the promotion of a democratic and federal Europe.
It unites constituent organisations and federalists from 20 European countries and all age groups. It has been active at the European, national and local levels for more than 60 years. Its president is Mercedes Bresso, president of the Italian region of Piemonte.
The Young European Federalists (JEF) is a supranational, political pluralistic youth organisation with about 25.000 members in over 35 European countries.
For more information about the UEF/JEF or this position paper, please contact:
Dr. Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER, UEF Secretary-General, Tel: +32 2 508 30 30, Email: info(at)federaleurope.org. Vassilis STAMOGIANNIS, JEF Secretary-General, Tel: +32 25120053, Email: info(at)jef-europe.net
