December 02, 2013

At a successful meeting of its Member Organisations in The Hague, Friday 29 November, the European Movement International set out new policy demands on sustainable development, combatting euroscepticism and ensuring the European elections 2014 are held under the competences granted by the Lisbon Treaty.
The economic crisis has created problems for European integration, and the EMI supports the creation of a new plan for sustainable development and employment. This plan should focus on:

• An EU special programme of public investments for the production and financing of European public goods (renewable energy, research and innovation, infrastructural networks, ecological agriculture, protection of the environment and cultural heritage, etc.);
• A special European Solidarity Fund to create new jobs.

The economic crisis has also led to a rise in euroscepticism and we ask that the EU institutions, the pro-European parties, voters, and other civil society organisations all work with us to ensure the pro-European message is heard.

The upcoming European elections 2014 are a perfect time to implement this new European social model, under the powers granted by the Lisbon Treaty, and we call on the European Council, the Parliament and citizens to ensure the system works in a more responsible way.

Christof-Sebastian Klitz, Vice-President, European Movement International, said:
“In the lead up to the European elections 2014, we will reach out via our networks to create pro-European messages based on the universal values – respect for human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity – on which Europe was founded, and the key principles – democracy, the rule of law and human rights – which made them a reality. The European Social Model remains the best way to ensure the majority of European citizens are able to live in peace, and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to ensure this continues to be so.”