What is it to be an European Citizen?
The
legal term “European Citizen” is implied in 1992 by the Treaty of Maastricht.
Member States decided to establish a citizenship of common through the countries of the EU, aiming “to
strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of the nationals of its
Member States..” (Preamble; and then Title 1 Common
Provisions Article B). The EU citizenship is automatically converted to each citizen of a
Member State as additional to the national citizenship.
To be an EU citizen, means to favor
the national rights, raised from the national citizenship, along with the
following rights in the Union:
- To move and reside freely within the territory of the EU;
- To be protected by the diplomatic or consular authorities of any Member state;
- To vote and stand as a candidate at municipal elections in the Member State of residency & in elections to the EU Parliament;
- To petition the EU Parliament and any EU institution;
- To apply to the European Ombudsman.
The
citizens of the EU are equal before national and the EU institutions, bodies,
agencies and offices.
Sources:
Treaty of Maastricht (1992); Treaty of Amsterdam (1999)
Comments
Post a Comment