The European Movement International (EMI) has responded to the consultation process of the European Commission on “EU citizens’ rights – the way forward”. The consultation aims to strengthen citizens’ rights stemming from Union Citizenship, with particular reference to issues such as free movement of persons, diplomatic and consular protection, electoral rights, free movement of civil status documents and consumers’ rights.

In substance, the EMI response highlights common obstacles in the fields of student mobility and partners’ free movement rights. In order to facilitate free movement rights, the EMI suggests for example the harmonisation of basic administrative structures and obligations between Member States.

In addition, the EMI is particularly concerned with the extent to which citizens exercise their political rights.

Whereas in some cases obstacles may result from various practicalities from one Member State to another, political rights will not be fully exercised if the European parties do not initiate a genuine European electoral campaign, attracting citizens’ and identifying significant political stakes.

The EMI also regrets that the consultation was only available in English when it precisely sought to consult, amongst others, citizens on their own rights.

To download the full version of the EMI response, please click here.

The ideas put forward in this consultation will be debated at a conference which will be organised by the Commission on 1st – 2nd July 2010 and the preparation of the Communication on Citizenship scheduled for October 2010.