Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2009-03-24-Speech-2-245"
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"en.20090324.26.2-245"2
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"The debate on the issue of dialogue between the European Union and its citizens is very necessary. How European citizens view Europe, and their understanding of how the Community functions, is a key question. People accept what they know, but anything that is beyond their horizon arouses concern. The examples of the Irish referendum and the preceding referendums in France and Holland show that we cannot be off-hand about our citizens’ views. Decisions should not be taken behind closed doors, ignoring the opinions of society.
: nothing new without the common consent.
What we need is to reach the poorer and less educated citizens. What is needed is to transmit, clearly and concisely, to the public, what our actions are based on, what we aim to achieve and in particular the resulting benefits to citizens. True integration is not possible if our voters do not fully accept the actions of the European Union.
Studies have shown that only just over 50% of EU citizens are satisfied by their country’s membership of the Community. This obviously varies from country to country. It would be a great success if this figure reached 80%.
The obligation of bringing the EU closer to its citizens rests not only on the EU institutions as a whole, but in my view also on ourselves, the MEPs. Each year alone I organise hundreds of meetings with young people, farmers and businessmen. Let us teach our citizens to make use of the benefits offered by the EU. The June elections will be the first test of how effective we have been."@en1
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