September 10, 2013
Brussels – the European Movement International (EMI) calls on President Barroso to speak freely about the situation facing Europe and the steps forward in his State of the Union speech tomorrow.
Ahead of next year’s European elections more emphasis needs to be placed on developing the capacity of the European Institutions to help address citizens’ concerns and progress the European project.
Following Mr Barroso’s 2012 address – in which he called for a “federation of nation states that can tackle common problems through shared sovereignty,” – this vision has not been evident over the past 12 months.
The EMI notes that the Union has held together during recent difficult economic times, but urges Mr Barroso to use his last State of the Union speech to lay out a clear vision on “a decisive deal for Europe”
Jo Leinen, EMI President, added:
“Barroso should use the last State of the Union address of his term as an opportunity to provide a clear vision for a more integrated Europe. We need a new Convention to prepare for a Union which is able to act more efficiently and function more democratically. The citizens need the clear message that we need more and not less Europe.”
[ENDS]
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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.
EMI Media Contact: For more information, please contact Marine Vallet at +32 (0)2 508 30 88 or marine.vallet@europeanmovement.eu