The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, convening in Barcelona, Catalonia on 19^th and 20^th November 2009:

Recalling:

-         That citizenship of the European Union was introduced with the Maastricht Treaty signed in 1992;

-         That it was further developed with the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999 and the Treaty of Nice in 2001;

-         That ELDR in the past has called for true European citizenship, e.g. in the resolution ‘Guiding principles for the work of the Convention’ adopted in Bath in 2002.

Deeply worried:

-         About the response of the German consul during the Mumbai terror attacks claiming “I can take only the Germans“ when approached for help by fellow EU citizens and even MEPs;

-         By the extremely bureaucratic and unhelpful response of the French consulate on the same occasion, not issuing laissez-passer documents to EU citizens;

-         By the discriminatory treatment of EU citizens from Romania in Italy, where national laws have been changed to cater for anti-Romanian sentiments.

Criticising:

-         The ongoing division between “first class” EU citizens from Western European countries and “second” class EU citizens from Eastern European countries;

-         Protectionist measures especially, but not exclusively, in times of crisis.

Noting that:

-         The concept of EU citizenship is essential for the emotional connection of Europeans to the EU and therefore for the success of European integration itself;

-         True EU citizenship needs to become reality in a Union where internal borders become less and less relevant.

Calls on EU member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament to strengthen the concept of European Union citizenship by:

-         Refraining from favouring national citizens over EU citizens;

-         Bringing in line the rights of all EU citizens from old and new Member States such as the right to work in all Member States as soon as possible;

-         Transforming the de jure right of EU-citizens to protection by the diplomatic or consular authorities of other Member States when in a non-EU Member State into reality;

-         Treating EU citizens the same as national citizens in all areas;

-         Supporting EU initiatives in favour of a widespread feeling of European citizenship such as the Programme “Europe for Citizens”, improving and strengthening its financial scheme;

-         Including this in the Stockholm Programme which will be adopted under the Swedish Presidency and will set the strategic objectives for the further development of the Union’s area of freedom, security and justice from 2010 to 2014.