2019 - 2024

ПЪЛЕН ПРОТОКОЛ НА РАЗИСКВАНИЯТА DEBAŠU STENOGRAMMA

ACTA LITERAL DE LOS DEBATES POSĖDŽIO STENOGRAMA

DOSLOVNÝ ZÁZNAM ZE ZASEDÁNÍ AZ ÜLÉSEK SZÓ SZERINTI JEGYZŐKÖNYVE

FULDSTÆNDIGT FORHANDLINGSREFERAT RAPPORTI VERBATIM TAD-DIBATTITI

AUSFÜHRLICHE SITZUNGSBERICHTE VOLLEDIG VERSLAG VAN DE VERGADERINGEN

ISTUNGI STENOGRAMM PEŁNE SPRAWOZDANIE Z OBRAD

ΠΛΗΡΗ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΑ ΤΩΝ ΣΥΖΗΤΗΣΕΩΝ RELATO INTEGRAL DOS DEBATES

VERBATIM REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS STENOGRAMA DEZBATERILOR

COMPTE RENDU IN EXTENSO DES DÉBATS DOSLOVNÝ ZÁPIS Z ROZPRÁV

TUARASCÁIL FOCAL AR FHOCAL NA N-IMEACHTAÍ DOBESEDNI ZAPISI RAZPRAV

DOSLOVNO IZVJEŠĆE SANATARKAT ISTUNTOSELOSTUKSET

RESOCONTO INTEGRALE DELLE DISCUSSIONI FULLSTÄNDIGT FÖRHANDLINGSREFERAT

19.06.2021

Единство в многообразието - Unida en la diversidad - Jednotná v rozmanitosti - Forenet i mangfoldighed - In Vielfalt geeint - Ühinenud mitmekesisuses Eνωμένη στην πολυμορφία - United in diversity - Unie dans la diversité - Aontaithe san éagsúlacht - Ujedinjena u raznolikosti - Unita nella diversità Vienoti daudzveidībā - Susivieniję įvairovėje - Egyesülve a sokféleségben - Magħquda fid-diversità - In verscheidenheid verenigd - Zjednoczona w różnorodności Unida na diversidade - Unită în diversitate - Zjednotení v rozmanitosti - Združena v raznolikosti - Moninaisuudessaan yhtenäinen - Förenade i mångfalden

Неокончателно издание - Edición provisional - Prozatímní vydání - Foreløbig udgave - Vorläufige Ausgabe - Esialgne versioon Προσωρινή έκδοση - Provisional edition - Edition provisoire - Eagrán Sealadach - Privremeno izdanje -Edizione provvisoria Pagaidu versija - Negalutinė redakcija - Ideiglenes kiadás - Edizzjoni proviżorja - Voorlopige uitgave - Wydanie tymczasowe Edição provisória - Ediţie provizorie - Predbežné vydanie - Začasna razlicica - Väliaikainen versio - Preliminär utgåva

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BG СЪДЪРЖАНИЕ 1 - Откриване от съпредседателите и дневен ред, предложен от Изпълнителния съвет ...... 27 2 - Цел на Конференцията и очаквания от нея, включително форумите на европейските граждани, националните форуми/прояви и многоезичната цифрова платформа: представяне и обща дискусия ...... 31 3 - Календар на пленарните заседания на Конференцията, форумите на европейските граждани и проявата на европейските граждани и предложение на съпредседателите относно организирането на тематични работни групи: представяне и обсъждане ...... 96 4 - Закриване на пленарното заседание на Конференцията ...... 100

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ES ÍNDICE 1 - Apertura a cargo de los copresidentes y orden del día propuesto por el Comité Ejecutivo ...... 27 2 - Objetivo y expectativas de la Conferencia, incluidos los paneles de ciudadanos europeos, los paneles y actos nacionales y la plataforma digital multilingüe: presentación y debate general ...... 31 3 - Calendario de sesiones plenarias de la Conferencia y de paneles de ciudadanos europeos, así como del acto ciudadano europeo, y propuesta de los copresidentes sobre la organización de los grupos de trabajo temáticos: presentación y debate ...... 96 4 - Cierre de la sesión plenaria de la Conferencia ...... 100

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CS OBSAH 1 - Zahájení zasedání spolupředsedy a pořad jednání navržený výkonnou radou ...... 27 2 - Smysl konference i očekávání, která s ní jsou spojena, včetně panelových diskusí evropských občanů, vnitrostátních panelových diskusí občanů a akcí a mnohojazyčné digitální platformy ...31 3 - Harmonogram plenárních zasedání konference, panelových diskusí evropských občanů a akcí evropských občanů a návrh spolupředsedů týkající se vytvoření tematických pracovních skupin: prezentace a diskuse ...... 96 4 - Ukončení plenárního zasedání konference ...... 100

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DA INDHOLD 1 - Åbning af mødet ved medformændene og dagsorden som foreslået af bestyrelsen ...... 27 2 - Konferencens formål og forventninger, herunder EU-borgerpaneler, nationale paneler/arrangementer og den flersprogede digitale platform: præsentation og generel drøftelse 31 3 - Kalender for konferencens plenarforsamlinger, EU-borgerpaneler og europæiske borgerarrangement og forslag fra medformændene om tilrettelæggelsen af tematiske arbejdsgrupper: præsentation og drøftelse ...... 96 4 - Afslutning af konferencens plenarmøde ...... 100

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DE INHALT 1 - Eröffnung durch die Ko-Vorsitzenden – Tagesordnung laut Vorschlag des Exekutivausschusses ...... 27 2 - Zweck und Erwartungen der Konferenz einschließlich der europäischen Bürgerforen, der nationalen Foren/Veranstaltungen und der mehrsprachigen Onlineplattform: Vorstellung und allgemeine Aussprache ...... 31 3 - Kalender der Plenartagungen der Konferenz, der europäischen Bürgerforen und der europäischen Bürgerveranstaltung und Vorschlag der Ko-Vorsitzenden zur Organisation der thematischen Arbeitsgruppen: Vorstellung und Aussprache ...... 96 4 - Schluss der Plenarsitzung der Konferenz ...... 100

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ET SISUKORD 1 - Kaasjuhatajate avasõnad ja juhatuse esildatud päevakord ...... 27 2 - Konverentsi eesmärk ja ootused, sealhulgas Euroopa kodanike arutlusringid, riikide arutlusringid / üritused ja mitmekeelne digiplatvorm: tutvustus ja üldine arutelu ...... 31 3 - Konverentsi täiskogude, Euroopa kodanike arutlusringide ja Euroopa kodanike ürituse ajakava. Kaasjuhatajate ettepanek temaatiliste töörühmade korralduse kohta: tutvustus ja arutelu ...... 96 4 - Konverentsi täiskogu istungi lõpetamine ...... 100

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EL ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΑ 1 - Έναρξη από τους συμπροέδρους και ημερήσια διάταξη όπως προτάθηκε από το εκτελεστικό συμβούλιο ...... 27 2 - Σκοπός και προσδοκίες της Διάσκεψης συμπεριλαμβανομένων ομάδων των Ευρωπαίων πολιτών, εθνικών ομάδων/εκδηλώσεων και πολύγλωσσης ψηφιακής πλατφόρμας: παρουσίαση και γενική συζήτηση ...... 31 3 - Χρονοδιάγραμμα των συνόδων ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης, των ομάδων Ευρωπαίων πολιτών και της εκδήλωσης Ευρωπαίων πολιτών, και πρόταση των συμπροέδρων για την οργάνωση θεματικών ομάδων εργασίας: παρουσίαση και συζήτηση ...... 96 4 - Λήξη της συνεδρίασης ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης ...... 100

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EN CONTENTS 1 - Opening by the Co-Chairs and agenda as proposed by the Executive Board ...... 27 2 - Purpose and expectations of the Conference including European Citizens' Panels, National Panels/events and Multilingual Digital Platform: presentation and general discussion ...... 31 3 - Calendar of Conference Plenaries, European Citizens’ Panels and European Citizens’ Event, and Co-Chairs proposal on the organisation of thematic working groups: presentation and discussion ...... 96 4 - Closing of the Conference Plenary meeting ...... 100

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FR SOMMAIRE 1 - Ouverture de l'assemblée plénière par les coprésidents et ordre du jour proposé par le conseil exécutif ...... 27 2 - Objet et finalités de la conférence, y compris les panels de citoyens européens, les panels/événements nationaux et la plateforme numérique multilingue: présentation et discussion générale ...... 31 3 - Calendrier des assemblées plénières de la conférence, des panels de citoyens européens et de l'événement à l'intention des citoyens européens et proposition des coprésidents relative à l’organisation de groupes thématiques: présentation et discussion ...... 96 4 - Clôture de l'assemblée plénière ...... 100

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IT INDICE 1 - Apertura da parte dei copresidenti e ordine del giorno proposto dal comitato esecutivo ...... 27 2 - Finalità e aspettative della Conferenza, tra cui i panel dei cittadini europei, i panel/eventi nazionali e la piattaforma digitale multilingue: presentazione e discussione generale ...... 31 3 - Calendario delle plenarie della Conferenza, dei panel dei cittadini europei e dell'evento dei cittadini europei, nonché proposta dei copresidenti in merito all'organizzazione dei gruppi di lavoro tematici: presentazione e discussione ...... 96 4 - Chiusura della riunione plenaria della Conferenza ...... 100

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LV SATURS 1 - Līdzpriekšsēdētāju atklāšanas uzrunas un valdes ierosinātā darba kārtība ...... 27 2 - Konferences, tostarp Eiropas pilsoņu paneļdiskusiju, valstu paneļdiskusiju/pasākumu un daudzvalodu digitālās platformas, mērķis un gaidāmais iznākums: izklāsts un vispārējas debates ...... 31 3 - Konferences plenārsēžu, Eiropas pilsoņu paneļdiskusiju un Eiropas pilsoņu pasākuma grafiks un līdzpriekšsēdētāju priekšlikums par tematisko darba grupu organizēšanu: izklāsts un debates ...... 96 4 - Konferences plenārsēdes slēgšana ...... 100

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LT TURINYS 1 - Posėdžio pradžia - bendrapirmininkių įžanginis žodis ir Vykdomosios valdybos siūloma posėdžio darbotvarkė ...... 27 2 - Konferencijos, įskaitant Europos piliečių forumus, Nacionalinius forumus ir Daugiakalbę skaitmeninę platformą, tikslas ir lūkesčiai: pristatymas ir bendras aptarimas ...... 31 3 - Konferencijos plenarinių posėdžių, Europos piliečių forumų ir Europos piliečių renginio kalendorius ir bendrapirmininkių pasiūlymas dėl teminių darbo grupių organizavimo: pristatymas ir aptarimas ...... 96 4 - Konferencijos plenarinio posėdžio pabaiga ...... 100

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HU TARTALOM 1 - A társelnökök megnyitója és napirend a vezető testület javaslatának megfelelően ...... 27 2 - A konferencia célja és elvárásai, beleértve az európai polgári vitacsoportokat, a nemzeti vitacsoportokat/rendezvényeket és a többnyelvű digitális platformot: ismertető és általános megbeszélések ...... 31 3 - A konferencia plenáris üléseinek, az európai polgári vitacsoportoknak és az európai polgári rendezvényeknek az ülésnaptára, továbbá a társelnökök javaslata a tematikus munkacsoportok megszervezésére vonatkozóan: ismertető és megbeszélés ...... 96 4 - A konferencia plenáris ülésének lezárása ...... 100

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MT WERREJ 1 - Ftuħ mill-Kopresidenti u aġenda kif proposta mill-Bord Eżekuttiv ...... 27 2 - Skopijiet u aspettattivi tal-Konferenza, inklużi l-panels taċ-Ċittadini Ewropej, il-panels/l- avvenimenti nazzjonali u l-Pjattaforma Diġitali Multilingwi: preżentazzjoni u diskussjoni ġenerali ...... 31 3 - Kalendarju tal-plenarji tal-Konferenza, tal-panels taċ-Ċittadini Ewropej u tal-avveniment taċ- Ċittadini Ewropej, kif ukoll proposta tal-Kopresidenti dwar l-organizzazzjoni tal-gruppi ta' ħidma tematiċi: preżentazzjoni u diskussjoni ...... 96 4 - Għeluq tal-laqgħa plenarja tal-Konferenza ...... 100

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NL INHOUD 1 - Opening door de medevoorzitters en agenda als voorgesteld door de raad van bestuur ...... 27 2 - Doel en verwachtingen van de conferentie, waaronder Europese burgerpanels, nationale panels/evenementen en meertalig digitaal platform: presentatie en algemene discussie ...... 31 3 - Vergaderrooster van de plenaire vergaderingen van de conferentie, de Europese burgerpanels en het evenement van de Europese burgers, en voorstel van de medevoorzitters over de organisatie van thematische werkgroepen: presentatie en discussie ...... 96 4 - Sluiting van de plenaire vergadering van de conferentie ...... 100

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PL SPIS TREŚCI 1 - Otwarcie posiedzenia przez współprzewodniczących i porządek obrad zgodnie z propozycją zarządu ...... 27 2 - Cel konferencji i oczekiwania wobec niej, w tym w odniesieniu do europejskich paneli obywatelskich, paneli i wydarzeń krajowych oraz wielojęzycznej platformy cyfrowej: prezentacja i debata ogólna ...... 31 3 - Kalendarz sesji plenarnych, europejskich paneli obywatelskich i europejskiego spotkania obywateli oraz propozycja współprzewodniczących w sprawie organizacji tematycznych grup roboczych: prezentacja i dyskusja ...... 96 4 - Zamknięcie sesji plenarnej konferencji ...... 100

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PT INDICE 1 - Abertura pelos copresidentes e ordem do dia tal como proposta pelo Conselho Executivo .....27 2 - Objetivo e expetativas da Conferência, incluindo os painéis de cidadãos europeus, os painéis/eventos à escala nacional e a plataforma digital multilingue: apresentação e debate geral 31 3 - Calendário das sessões plenárias da Conferência, dos painéis de cidadãos europeus e do evento dos cidadãos europeus e proposta dos copresidentes relativamente à organização dos grupos de trabalho temáticos: apresentação e debate ...... 96 4 - Encerramento da sessão plenária da Conferência ...... 100

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RO CUPRINS 1 - Deschiderea lucrărilor de către copreședinți și prezentarea ordinii de zi propuse de comitetul executiv ...... 27 2 - Obiectivul și așteptările Conferinței, inclusiv grupurile de dezbatere implicând cetățeni europeni, grupurile de dezbatere/evenimentele de la nivel național și platforma digitală multilingvă: prezentare și dezbatere generală ...... 31 3 - Calendarul sesiunilor plenare ale Conferinței, al grupurilor de dezbatere implicând cetățeni europeni și al evenimentului cetățenilor europeni și propunerea copreședinților privind organizarea unor grupuri de lucru tematice: prezentare și dezbatere ...... 96 4 - Închiderea lucrărilor sesiunii plenare a Conferinței ...... 100

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SK OBSAH 1 - Otvorenie schôdze spolupredsedami a program podľa návrhu výkonnej rady ...... 27 2 - Účel a očakávania konferencie vrátane panelových diskusií s európskymi občanmi, národných panelov/podujatí a mnohojazyčnej digitálnej platformy: prezentácia a všeobecná diskusia ...... 31 3 - Harmonogram plenárnych schôdzí konferencie, panelové diskusie s európskymi občanmi a podujatie európskych občanov a návrh spolupredsedov týkajúci sa organizácie tematických pracovných skupín: prezentácia a diskusia ...... 96 4 - Ukončenie plenárnej schôdze konferencie ...... 100

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SL VSEBINA 1 - Otvoritveni govor sopredsednikov in dnevni red, kot ga predlaga izvršni odbor ...... 27 2 - Namen in pričakovanja konference – okrogle mize z evropskimi državljani, nacionalne okrogle mize in dogodki ter večjezična digitalna platforma: predstavitev in splošna razprava ...... 31 3 - Koledar plenarnih zasedanj konference, okroglih miz z evropskimi državljani in dogodkov zanje ter predlog sopredsednikov za organizacijo delovnih skupin: predstavitev in razprava ...... 96 4 - Zaključek plenarnega zasedanja konference ...... 100

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FI SISÄLTÖ 1 - Yhteispuheenjohtajien avauspuheenvuoro ja johtokunnan ehdottama esityslista ...... 27 2 - Konferenssin tavoitteet ja siihen kohdistuvat odotukset, eurooppalaiset kansalaispaneelit, kansallisen tason kansalaispaneelit ja tapahtumat ja monikielinen digitaalinen alusta: esittely ja yleiskeskustelu ...... 31 3 - Konferenssin täysistuntojen, eurooppalaisten kansalaispaneelien ja eurooppalaisten kansalaistapahtumien kalenteri sekä yhteispuheenjohtajien ehdotus temaattisten työryhmien toiminnan järjestämisestä: esittely ja keskustelu ...... 96 4 - Konferenssin täysistunnon päättäminen ...... 100

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SV INNEHÅLL 1 - Öppnande av medordförandena samt styrelsens förslag till föredragningslista ...... 27 2 - Syfte med och förväntningar på konferensen, inbegripet europeiska medborgarpaneler, nationella paneler/evenemang och flerspråkig digital plattform: redogörelse och allmän diskussion ...... 31 3 - Kalender för konferensens plenarsammanträden, europeiska medborgarpaneler och europeiska medborgarevenemang samt medordförandenas förslag om de tematiska arbetsgruppernas organisation: redogörelse och allmän diskussion ...... 96 4 - Avslutande av konferensens plenarsammanträde ...... 100

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HR Sadržaj 1 - Inauguracijski govor supredsjedateljâ i dnevni red koji je predložio izvršni odbor ...... 27 2 - Svrha i očekivanja od Konferencije, uključujući panele s europskim građanima, nacionalne panele/događanja i višejezičnu digitalnu platformu: izlaganje i općenita rasprava ...... 31 3 - Kalendar plenarnih skupština Konferencije, panela s europskim građanima i događanja za europske građane, kao i prijedlog supredsjedateljâ za organizaciju tematskih radnih skupina: izlaganje i rasprava ...... 96 4 - Zatvaranje plenarne skupštine Konferencije ...... 100

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1-001-0000 СЪБОТА 19 ЮНИ 2021 Г. SÁBADO 19 DE JUNIO DE 2021 SOBOTA 19. ČERVNA 2021 LØRDAG DEN 19. JUNI 2021 SAMSTAG, 19. JUNI 2021 LAUPÄEV, 19. JUUNI 2021 ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ 19 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ 2021 SATURDAY, 19 JUNE 2021 SAMEDI 19 JUIN 2021 SABATO 19 GIUGNO 2021 SESTDIENA, 2021. GADA 19. JŪNIJS 2021 M. BIRŽELIO 19 D., ŠEŠTADIENIS 2021. JÚNIUS 19., SZOMBAT IS-SIBT 19 TA’ ĠUNJU 2021 ZATERDAG 19 JUNI 2021 SOBOTA, 19 CZERWCA 2021 SÁBADO, 19 DE JUNHO DE 2021 SÂMBĂTĂ 19 IUNIE 2021 SOBOTA 19. JÚNA 2021 SOBOTA, 19. JUNIJ 2021 LAUANTAI 19. KESÄKUUTA 2021 LÖRDAGEN DEN 19 JUNI 2021 SUBOTA 19 LIPNJA 2021

1-002-0000 IN THE CHAIR: GUY VERHOFSTADT Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament

1. Opening by the Co-Chairs and agenda as proposed by the Executive Board

1-004-0000 (The Conference opened at 9.06)

1-005-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – Ladies and gentlemen, let me first of all say welcome to all of you to this first plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

You have all seen the agenda that has been distributed. Can I assume that the agenda is approved and adopted? There aren’t any remarks, so thank you very much, then the agenda of our first plenary session of the Conference is adopted.

I will start, in the name of my colleagues, Co-Chairs, Secretary of State Ana Paula Zacarias, by saying thank you from the beginning already for the enormous effort that the Portuguese Presidency has done to make this Conference possible.

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Really, Ana Paula, otherwise I think we would still be struggling with the start.

Also, in the name of the Vice-President of the Commission, and my Co-Chair, Dubravka Šuica, I want to say welcome to all of you to these premises of the European Parliament.

This is an inaugural plenary meeting, in which we want to say a special welcome, naturally, to the representatives and colleagues of the national parliaments, of the Committee of the Regions, of the Economic and Social Committee, of the social partners and of civil society.

I want to say a special welcome to the representatives of the 27 Member States representing the national citizens’ panels and events. Because it’s true, we are not complete. Our plenary will be completed in October with the arrival of representatives from the citizens’ panels, once they have been constituted.

If we are going to do that in October, we will transform this Conference, I think, into a unique experience, where the vibrant energy and also the agenda of participatory democracy will be combined with the legitimacy, the strength, the weight of our representative democracy, and this in order to discuss and define the future of our European continent.

You know, in my country, Belgium, we are a little bit better at football than at athletics. In athletics, we are merely only outstanding in heptathlon and in relay races. Well, I see this Conference, in fact, as a relay race: the citizens participating in panels will in fact start the Conference. They will first define their wishes, and they will formulate their recommendations.

Then, over several plenaries of the Conference, they will hand over the baton, and we will, together with them, discuss their proposals, their claims. Based on these claims, this plenary will formulate concrete proposals for reform, bringing these reforms as the baton to the next stage. The next, and final, stage will then be approval and implementation by our democratic institutions, as foreseen in our Treaties.

Talking about our institutions, this Conference is in fact a unique experience. It will be the very first time that the three Institutions, together with all the national parliaments, will debate and define a new vision for Europe’s future, beyond the white book and strategy papers, the many own-initiative reports, produced by the Commission, Council and Parliament.

What works well in the Union? What needs change? How to establish a Union that is fit for purpose for the upcoming decades? How to create a Union that is more resilient, that acts faster, that is more effective? We need to answer all these questions urgently – urgently, dear colleagues, as the world changes rapidly, and certainly doesn’t wait.

It is a world with new challenges that chip away slowly at our societies, challenges that are larger than the boundaries of our nation states. The world also is no longer centred on Europe, but on giants like Russia, like China, like India, like the United States, a world that is unfortunately less and less democratic, driven more and more by authoritarianism, zero-sums and ‘big beast’ attitudes and rules.

So how in this new emerging world are we to defend our ideals, our values, our principles, our interests? How to break the stalemate often caused by our decision-making processes? How to bypass Brussels vetoes? In other words, how to create the necessary space for reform, based on the ideas and the needs of the citizens.

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So by calling this Conference, the Member States, the directly-elected European representatives and the Commission, as the executive body of our Union, have responded positively to the question of why change and reforms are needed. That question has been answered by the establishment of this Conference.

Now the question that remains – the only question that remains, but it’s a big question that remains is: how are we going to do that? That, dear colleagues, will be our task here, and our main job during the upcoming nine months.

I wish all of you a lot of success in that endeavour.

I will now hand the floor to my dear Co-Chair, the Secretary of State for Portugal, Ana Paula Zacarias. Ana Paula, you have the floor.

1-006-0000 IN THE CHAIR: ANA PAULA ZACARIAS Co-Chair, Portuguese Council Presidency

1-007-0000 Ana Paula Zacarias, Co-Chair, Portuguese Council Presidency. – Good morning, members of the plenary. Greetings to all of you and to all of those that are following us online today.

I want to thank first my two co-chairs. Thank you very much for your kind words towards the Portuguese Presidency. Thank you very much, Commissioner Dubrovka – speaker – for all the support along this debate that brought us here today. As Co-Chair of the executive board, it’s really a great pleasure for me to welcome you here today to our first plenary of the conference on the future of Europe.

It’s about time that we start. It’s about time that we build our future together – our common future. And let’s make this exercise the best that we can. It’s a true, genuine process of real engagement with our citizens. Indeed, this exercise started two days ago in Lisbon, where we had the first meeting of the European citizens’ panels, with 68 citizens. And I think this was very symbolic that we started this exercise by doing this first meeting in Lisbon. And this will lead us to the plenary of October, as it was already explained, where we hope that the citizens will have a bigger say and they will also have more time to speak. And it is very important, because this is the moment where we really interact with the citizens of Europe. And normally we have done already this exercise of citizens’ dialogues. This has been done at national level. This is very important. But what we are trying to do now is to have the citizens interacting, having European citizens talking together and bringing about solutions and ideas for the Europe that we want to build in the future.

And why now? Why do we need to do this now? And I agree with what Mr Guy Verhofstadt just said: crises bring about huge responsibilities, huge challenges, but also great opportunities. And we are living in difficult times. And I think it’s about time that we look to our strengths but also to the limits that we have. And we are strong. The European Union is strong. We were able to deliver to our citizens in a moment of crisis. We delivered on vaccines. We delivered on the NextGenerationEU. We delivered on recovery and with demonstrations of solidarity all across Europe. So we can do this. We can do this, but we can do even better. And so it's about time now that all of us, representatives in this plenary, citizens and members of the Committee of Regions, members of the social partners, members of the national partners, members of governments that are also here with us today and the others that are following us online. And it’s about time that we start this endeavour. I think it is a huge responsibility. We have to make this conference work. We have to have concrete results at the end of it. Together, we’ll will be stronger. Thank you very much. 19-06-2021 30

1-008-0000 IN THE CHAIR: DUBRAVKA ŠUICA Co-Chair, Vice-President of the European Commission

– Good morning to everybody.

Dear members of the Conference on the Future of Europe, ladies and gentlemen, it is really a privilege for me to be here and to greet you together with my dear co-chairs at this inaugural plenary session. I’m so pleased to welcome all of you, members of the European Parliament, members of national parliaments, representatives of governments, representatives of civil society, representatives of social partners, but also local and regional authorities.

A special welcome goes to the people we keep at the heart of this process: citizens. Even though I have always been committed to citizens’ engagement, I do not think I ever imagined engaging with citizens like this in the Chamber. You know that politics has changed in the European Union and this is the first important step in structurally embedding citizens’ engagement in the European Union.

In his recent book called Open, Johan Norberg discusses the story of human progress. He says the response to these issues in society should not be to close ourselves down or to issue one-size-fits- all solutions from the top down. I wish we had more time to discuss this because his recommendation is, and I quote, ‘the only way to find better solutions is to allow millions to keep looking’.

This Conference on the Future of Europe does just that: it allows millions of citizens to deliberate together with their elected representatives at every level: at local, regional, national and European level. Together, everyone can deliberate on the future European Union they want to live, they want to work, and they want to play in. And you can do this if you are mayor, if you are a young entrepreneur, a farmer, a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, et cetera. The list goes on. Having so many eyes looking ahead at the challenges and opportunities we face allows me to believe and hope that we are building a future which is brighter, for generations today and in the future.

We must remember that for citizens, this conference is your conference. Elected representatives have their chambers in which to debate the future of Europe. Ministers have their councils, both regional and national, members of the European Parliament and national parliaments have their chambers. I have my place and we have our place in the College of Commissioners. For the first time ever, you, the citizens, have this conference and are on a par, or on an equal footing with your elected representatives. You are not replacing representative democracy, but reinforcing it by bringing citizens into the heart of policymaking in the European Union. And I look forward to your deliberations. Thank you very much.

1-010-0000 IN THE CHAIR: GUY VERHOFSTADT Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament 19-06-2021 31

2. Purpose and expectations of the Conference including European Citizens' Panels, National Panels/events and Multilingual Digital Platform: presentation and general discussion

1-012-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – We can now go to the second point on the agenda, which is the Purpose and expectations of the Conference, including European citizens’ panels, National panels and the Multilingual digital platform.

I will give the floor to Dubravka to introduce this. We have two videos ready to explain this to you. This will be followed also by Ana Paula explaining the national panels. Then we will start immediately with the debate on the purpose and expectations of the Conference.

1-013-0000 IN THE CHAIR: DUBRAVKA ŠUICA Co-Chair, Vice-President of the European Commission

1-014-0000 Dubravka Šuica, Co-Chair, Vice-President of the European Commission. – Thank you, Guy.

As you know, the Conference is based on three pillars. On the 19 April, we launched an innovative, multilingual digital platform. This is the first pillar. This platform creates a new virtual public space for citizens from all regions of Europe, from mountains to islands, from large cities to small villages, from Finland to Sicily.

You can share your ideas and proposals right now on your computer or your smartphone. All contributions are brought together and shared on the platform, including decentralised events, European citizens’ panels and Conference plenaries. They will be analysed and reports will be prepared and shared with you so that they can be taken into account during the deliberations.

As you know, there are nine key topics, ranging from climate change to culture. We have also created an open box for citizens who want to engage on other topics. What is crucial now is to attract as many citizens as possible to the platform. As members of this plenary, I count on you to raise awareness and make sure that we reach out to every region and village of the European Union.

Before I start my speech on the panels, I would like to show you a short video about the digital platform.

(Short video presentation)

Whatever you want to debate, you can debate. Everything is inclusive, everything is open, and we are completely transparent. This platform will be the hub of the whole Conference. This is very important as we live in a digital era and under special circumstances.

So this platform will be the most important part of this conference, but, of course, then we come to the citizens’ panels and then to the plenaries. So, starting in September, we will have a European citizens’ panel composed of randomly selected citizens, representatives of European Union’s diversity.

This is our second pillar. Each of the four European citizens’ panels will be composed of 200 citizens, with at least one female per one male citizen per Member State. We will also ensure to 19-06-2021 32 have people from all urban and rural areas, and young people, meaning anyone aged between 16 and 25, are vitally important in this process and will make up one third of each European panel. What we have here is a tangible opportunity at intergenerational dialogue.

The panellists will meet for three deliberative sessions in different places. This has never been done on such a broad scale and with so many languages. On Thursday in Lisbon, as Ana Paula Zacarias said, we had the chance to exchange with the first citizens selected to participate in these pioneering assemblies.

I was thrilled to see their enthusiasm and I’m looking forward to the first panels in September. I know that some of them will be following our proceedings today. You are now in listening mode, but in the coming meetings, we are the ones who will be listening to you. We have prepared a short video for this too, and we want you to get acquainted with this truly innovative process. So let us see.

(Short video presentation)

So this was about the European citizens’ panel. So we have covered these two pillars, and the third pillar is this Conference plenary, about which my dear colleague Mr Verhofstadt will talk later on.

That was as a beginning, just to heat up your debate. Thank you.

1-015-0000 Ana Paula Zacarias, Co-Chair, Portuguese Council Presidency. – Thank you very much. We’re organising this Conference around the five ‘P’s: it’s people, it’s participation, it’s the platform, it’s the panels, and then the Plenary. And the panels are an essential pillar of this construction.

We’ve discussed already the European citizens panels. This is fundamental because there is the moment where the European citizens interact amongst themselves. But it is fundamental also that we organise national panels and national events because these are multipliers.

The Conference on the Future of Europe aims at capturing the diversity and the plurality of the European project, and for that it is essential to reach out to citizens from every corner of our Union, from many walks of life. So we need, and we must go further, to avoid listening only to those that already know the Union, to those that, because of their own personal or professional experience or interests, are working already on elements that we are discussing. We need to go further. We need to go to the citizens that normally do not engage in this process, not to leave people behind.

And so we engaged in the Council already in some discussions with Member States, with great enthusiasm and commitment from the Member States in setting up their national plans, their national panels with different structures, which is normal, and task forces. But the purpose is common and clear: to promote the Conference across Europe and to organise, at local level, regional, national, transnational and European level, these meetings of citizens.

And we have seen already that they’ve started already in many of our Member States, and we hope that they will continue for the months to come. All these events are organised under the principles of the Charter, that are the basics of our work. And they should be all uploaded in the platform, so that we have information from all these citizens meetings in the platform with the respective results of their meetings, at least to have an idea of what the content of the discussion was and what are the results that people expect from these meetings.

19-06-2021 33

As the other two Co-Chairs have already explained, we had this first meeting in Lisbon; there was a lot of conversation there about information, about communication, the need to communicate this conference. This is a role for every single person. If we do not communicate about the Conference, it will not be known. So we really need to make an effort in speaking about the Conference and communicating better. And our citizens can help us on this.

During that meeting, the citizens brought up a couple of interesting debates. How do we engage civil society in the Conference? How do we promote a true European identity? Is this possible? Does this exist? What can we do to support this?

They also talked about education and the need to promote education about Europe: education about what we do, our institutions. And they also talked about the need to engage and be inclusive, bringing in others – others that live in our territory. I would let lead other people that are living in the European Union and that I also want to participate in this exercise.

So I really want to finish and encourage all of you to communicate the Conference and encourage all of you, and particularly the representatives of the Member States here, to organise the national panels, the national events to promote this debate and be real multipliers of the European citizens’ panels. Thank you very much.

1-016-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – Thank you. I think that we can now open the debate so that we can hear from all of you what your purpose is for this conference, what your expectations are of this conference and the role that these European and national citizens’ panels will play. I will hand over to Dubravka.

1-017-0000 Dubravka Šuica, Co-Chair, Vice-President of the European Commission. – I will soon open the debate, but before that let me remind you that at the end of this first debate, you will have a catch-the-eye session.

Those members of the plenary who are not on the speakers list for any of the debates today and who are physically present in the hemicycle can make a catch-the-eye request for an intervention of one minute using their electronic identification cards.

In order to make your request, insert your ID card and press the button below the catch-the-eye symbol that will appear on your display screen. We will then try to take as many speakers as possible from the list.

I’m now opening the system. I will inform you when it is closed. I would like to remind all the speakers from now on to stick to their speaking time.

I now give the floor to the first speaker on the speakers list, Mr Manfred Weber.

1-018-0000 Manfred Weber, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Europäisches Parlament. – Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Wenn wir über die Erwartungen dieser Konferenz sprechen, dann geht mir Belarus durch den Kopf. Dort kann man im Moment erleben, was es bedeutet, die Seele Europas zu verteidigen. Dort gehen junge Menschen auf die Straße und kämpfen für das, was im Kern Europa ausmacht: Freiheit, Demokratie, Rechtsstaatlichkeit.

Wenn wir über die Zukunft Europas reden und heute auch unsere Erwartungshaltungen beschreiben, dann möchte ich für meine Fraktion sagen – für die Christdemokraten –, dass wir 19-06-2021 34 zunächst stolz auf das sind, was erreicht worden ist – mit vielen Beiträgen in den letzten Jahrzehnten. Und wir können heute ein neues Kapitel aufschlagen.

Ehrlich gesagt waren die letzten 20 Jahre europäischer Entwicklung getrieben durch Krisen. Wir wollen das überwinden. Wir wollen nicht auf die nächste Krise warten, sondern wir wollen jetzt mutige Antworten für die Zukunft geben.

Die Handlungsfelder, denke ich, sind klar, und wir werden sie mit den Bürgern in den nächsten Wochen diskutieren: Klima, Jobs, Digitalisierung, Soziales, Demografie, Migration. Ein Jahrzehnt der großen Veränderungen steht vor uns, und wir wollen es eben mit den Bürgern gemeinsam diskutieren. Die zentrale Frage, die sich darüber hinaus stellt, wenn wir die Themen identifiziert haben, ist allerdings, ob Europa denn strukturell fit genug ist, die Antworten auf die Zeit zu geben. Das ist dann die Aufgabe des Plenums, das zu diskutieren.

Ich habe meine Zweifel, ob wir in der Außenpolitik, in vielen anderen Feldern stark genug sind, heute die Antworten zu geben. Und es gibt weitere grundsätzliche Handlungsfelder, beispielsweise die Frage der Identität. Das eigentliche Gift Europas, das Europa zerstören kann, ist der Nationalismus, das Gegeneinander der Nationen. Und dem stellen wir entgegen, dass es kein Problem ist, Bayer, Deutscher und Europäer zu sein – wenn ich das für mich sagen darf. Auch die christliche Prägung des Kontinents gehört für mich als Christdemokrat dazu und die Grundsatzfrage, wie wir Europa demokratischer gestalten.

Nur ein demokratisches Europa hat Zukunft. Das hat uns auch der Brexit gelehrt. Dafür brauchen wir nichts Neues zu erfinden, sondern nur die Themen umzusetzen, die die Menschen in einer Demokratie kennen, nämlich einen Kandidaten und eine Programmatik anzubieten. Und die Bürger entscheiden dann, wie es weitergeht.

Gute Politik beginnt mit Zuhören, und das werden wir jetzt machen. Aber gute Politik bedeutet dann auch Führung, bedeutet dann auch leadership und Politiker, die in der Lage sind, das umzusetzen, was notwendig ist.

Wir stehen an einem historischen Wendepunkt. Wir wollen ein gestärktes Europa. Wir wollen, dass wir diese Chance der Konferenz für die Zukunft Europas nutzen.

1-019-0000 Ana Paula Zacarias, Member of the Conference Plenary, Portuguese Council Presidency. – Thank you very much, Chair. On behalf of the Council, on behalf of all the colleagues that are here today and also those who are following this Conference on the Future of Europe online, I would like to express the full engagement of the Council with the Conference as an inclusive platform, bringing together different voices, engaging in a wide reflection and debate on the challenges that Europe is facing and on its long-term future.

I would like to assure you of the full commitment of the Council, reflected in the clear mandate that was approved by the Council last February, which allows for the conclusion of the Joint Declaration that binds us here and that forms the basis of our Conference, launched on 9 May.

I think that it is important to use this opportunity to underpin the democratic legitimacy and functioning of the European project, as well as to uphold EU citizens’ support for our common goals and values by giving them further opportunities to express themselves.

We are facing challenges. Everybody knows this, and we need to use this opportunity to engage with citizens and other stakeholders in the EU to seek and to see how we can emerge stronger 19-06-2021 35 from this COVID-19 crisis. From the Council’s point of view, the Conference should live under the principle of a policy-first approach to provide inspiration for the further development of our policies and instruments in the medium and long term so that we can better tackle current and future challenges.

I believe that the answers that we produce can probably fit in our legal framework. We need to continue exploring the flexibility of our current legal framework. We see that it helped us with the answers that we are giving to the pandemic. So if we have the political will, I think we can use the current system that we have to provide the answers.

We have the obligation to explore this and embrace this goal for the future of Europe. We think that we need to discuss matters that are topical and truly relevant for our citizens. We have set a couple of them: when we discuss the digital world, when we discuss health, when we discuss democracy, when we discuss jobs and job creation, when we discuss social issues. These are at the core of the expectations and demands of our citizens.

I believe that now is the time for us to use a good communication strategy so that we can bring people to the Conference and make it known to all corners of Europe.

As I said, citizens should be at the core. We hope they will be present as from our deliberations plenary in October, and that they can be with us all the time.

Thank you very much and I wish you all, and us all, very good deliberations.

1-020-0000 Maroš Šefčovič, Member of the Conference Plenary, Vice-President of the European Commission. – Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear fellow Europeans, this morning we are undertaking something which is really very unique – this grand European debate on an unprecedented scale with the direct involvement of our citizens in policy-making, in decision-making and more importantly, in exercise.

What we would like to hear from you, our fellow Europeans, is what are your priorities? What do you want us to focus on? As you probably know, I am responsible for strategic foresight. And I think that debating with our fellow Europeans about their priorities and their feelings would be the best for all this decentralised strategic foresight, because I think that we are going to discuss the topics which really matter to Europeans. For example, how to improve European democracy, how to tackle climate change more efficiently or what our future work will be or the topic that was mentioned just a minute ago, and how to learn the lessons from COVID-19 and make our healthcare system more resilient for the future?

From the Commission and from my side, we will do our utmost to provide these debates with our strategic foresight studies. That is, for example, what would be the future of green jobs or how we should work better together. I think that Mr Verhofstadt eloquently described what the responsibilities of our respective institutions will be after this debate.

And I would just like to share with you my personal ambition, which would be that after the discussion and debates are concluded, we would indeed transform these ideas and proposals into strategic planning for the Commission into our next new Commission work programme. For sure we will definitely use them all for our next annual Strategic Foresight Report. But the ambition is not just to make another report, but to make all the input we get from you into concrete actions which will be reflected in the Commission work programme and later on in concrete results. So, 19-06-2021 36 dear fellow Europeans, tell us what you want us to do, how we should shape Europe and we will do our utmost to fulfil your desires and expectations.

1-021-0000 Luís Capoulas Santos, membro do plenário da Conferência, Parlamentos nacionais (Portugal). – Gostaria, em nome do Parlamento português, e creio que posso fazê-lo também em nome de todos os Parlamentos nacionais, de felicitar os copresidentes e todos os membros desta Conferência pelo espírito de compromisso que nos permitiu chegar aqui.

Em apenas três meses, depois de desbloqueado o impasse que durava há mais de um ano, foi possível, consensualmente, definir as regras e pôr a conferência em marcha em todas as suas frentes. Estamos próximos de vencer a maior crise sanitária do último século. Temos, por isso, uma oportunidade única para relançar o projeto europeu, mantendo-nos fiéis aos seus princípios fundadores, mas adaptando-o aos novos desafios e aos novos anseios dos povos europeus, a quem vamos permitir que os exprimam diretamente sem pôr em causa a democracia representativa.

É um exercício inovador que comporta riscos, mas que vale a pena correr. A nossa expetativa é elevada, tal como o é a nossa motivação para os duros trabalhos que nos esperam, que têm de produzir resultados concretos. Não podemos desiludir aqueles que representamos e que em nós confiam. Muito obrigado.

1-022-0000 Silja Markkula, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – As young Europeans, we have high expectations for the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The European Youth Forum represents the 25% of Europeans that are barely represented at all in elected positions, the generation that is also disproportionately hit by the pandemic and the generation which is also not just the future of Europe, but also the present.

We want this to be an ambitious process. When we asked youth organisations from all over Europe what they thought would really change their future, the answer was clear: if we get quality jobs and if young Europeans are no longer discriminated against based on age in social safety systems all over Europe, because right now we’re very far from that.

We will continue to consult and seek input from young people all over Europe, and we’re happy that there will be many young faces in the citizens panel and in this plenary. But bringing youth to the table is not enough. Now is the time to listen and create the change that our generation is asking for.

1-023-0000 Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Member of the Conference Plenary, Committee of the Regions (Greece). – I would like to start by thanking the co-chairs for their exceptional work and their great support.

Dear colleagues, I’m here on behalf of the one million elected politicians, regionally and locally elected politicians, and the 300 regions and 90 000 municipalities of Europe.

Dear friends, it is thanks to the European Union today that we breathe cleaner air, that we consume high-quality products, that we have better-equipped hospitals and digitalised schools and public services. But if you ask today an average citizen of Europe if he feels and if he realises how involved the European Union is in his everyday life, do you think you will get the right answer? I’m afraid not. Is it his fault? Of course not. It means that we have done something wrong.

This is what we need to do during this conference: we need to listen, we need a credible dialogue, and we need to focus on citizens’ real needs and issues. Above all, we need to create a new vision 19-06-2021 37 that will unite us – on climate, on mobility, on local economies and local jobs, on digitalisation and, of course, on our European values, on education and culture. We need to bring Europe closer to its citizens, and we need to make everyone understand that Brussels and the EU is not far. Right? On the contrary, Europe is everywhere.

So the Committee of Regions is here to help this process and to bring added value on the ground, in every region and every city, through our political work, through our local dialogues and through the alliances we have created all across Europe. I am definitely positive that we can make this happen and that together, we can make this conference a success.

1-024-0000 Dubravka Šuica, Co-Chair, Vice-President of the European Commission. – I want to remind all the speakers to stick to their speaking time. Ms Schweng, the floor is yours.

1-025-0000 Christa Schweng, Member of the Conference Plenary, Economic and Social Committee. – Dear Co- Chairs, dear members, bringing the European project back to citizens is key. They are the true owners of the European Union. Their proposals need to be the basis for the future of Europe.

The EU is a gift of peace. This is still relevant, but not sufficient anymore. We need a new shared narrative for Europe, looking at the challenges of the future and creating an emotional link with European citizens. We need to make Europe a truly great place to be and to prosper.

The Economic and Social Committee (ESC) tried to imagine the future in our recent resolution on a new narrative for Europe. We will use input that we gather from organised civil society representing all walks of life to further calibrate this narrative. The ESC will reach out to each and every corner of the EU and engage with employers, workers and the whole of organised civil society in order to bring their proposals to the conference.

A broad, participatory, bottom-up approach involving a wide range of stakeholders and organised civil society is key. Ensuring the conference will bring tangible results and improvements is a must in order not to fuel Euroscepticism. Accountability and transparency are of utmost importance. We should develop an online dashboard allowing citizens to see the follow-up measures resulting from the conference, their timeline and the status of implementation. If proposals made during the conference are not followed up, this requires clear and transparent explanation. United for the future of Europe.

1-026-0000 Luca Visentini, Member of the Conference Plenary, Social Partners. – Good morning, everybody. The European trade unions and workers support this conference and are highly committed to contributing to shaping a fairer European Union that takes care of people. When this process was launched, there was a need to reconnect citizens, to institutions to overcome inequalities and social exclusion as consequences of the financial crisis and austerity policies, to cope with the challenges of climate change and digitalisation, and to rebuild European democracy. Today, after the pandemic, these issues need to be addressed even more urgently. There is limited time left and European workers and citizens expect all of us to deliver. We need to get out of our bubbles, go local and talk to people. We ask you to make sure that social partners and organised civil society are included in all fora for discussion. And we will do our best to mobilise workers and businesses at all levels for a good and meaningful outcome.

But it’s not only about process. We need ambitious content. We need to push for radical change radical change on health, safety and social protection by strengthening public services and our welfare state, by saving jobs and businesses without which there is no future. Radical change in our economic model, by moving from an economy that serves profits only to a social market 19-06-2021 38 economy that benefits people, that goes beyond GDP, beyond blind fiscal rules to build well-being and better opportunities for all. Radical change to manage environmental transformation and digitalisation through just transition. This doesn’t only mean training and reskilling, but also massive quality job creation, universal social protection, full involvement of communities and social partners in a comprehensive governance that leaves nobody behind. And radical change means that every person in Europe can fully enjoy fundamental rights social and labour rights without discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity and migration background, religion, belief or political orientation. Radical change means defending democratic values and the rule of law, but also social democracy based on social dialogue, collective bargaining and workers’ participation. Only through this radical change will we be able to defend the European project.

Let’s make the best out of this conference by giving people a voice. But after having listened, let us go back to them with ideas and proposals that can improve their way of life. Let’s be frank. We will also need to change ourselves. It is necessary to ensure more transparency in democratic processes. Institutions must become more accountable. Decision-making must not be paralysed by endless discussions, national egoism and vetoes. It will be a big mistake to exclude from the outcomes of this conference a redesign of the architecture of the European Union. We expect treaty changes to happen, and among those, we advocate for a social progress protocol to guarantee that social rights take precedence over economic freedoms in the event of a conflict.

Radical change, but on a participation and concrete outcomes which make a difference. That’s what trade unions expect from the Conference on the future of Europe. And we are ready to cooperate with all of you to make it a success. Thank you very much.

1-027-0000 Alexandrina Najmowicz, Member of the Conference Plenary, Civil Society. – I am Co-Chair of a self- organised civil society convention that united civil society to get involved in this exercise. The convention was initiated and has been coordinated by Civil Society Europe, and we have gathered 80 European networks and organisations that have constituencies and members all across Europe and unite millions of citizens.

We welcome the Conference as a timely attempt to reconnect policies and politics with citizens. It should bring real change, as has been said, and create really concrete outcomes if we want to rebuild trust in people’s power to have a say individually, but also collectively, on the processes and political choices that affect the lives of us all.

It sounds commonplace. No, but it’s really the essence of democracy. And yet, we are facing a major risk in this exercise today, a reality that our member organisations are facing on the ground every day. Those who struggle to access their rights the most, those whose rights are denied, are most often at the margins of these processes. They are left behind, silent, invisible, and disillusioned with a society of unequal relationships and competition between people.

As citizens’ associations, our role is to help aggregate, empower, and bring a voice to those citizens, make them heard in democratic arenas, and with the limited role and space that we have in this conference, we will do our best to do so. There’s also an open letter that has been sent this morning that was widely supported. It has been sent to the Conference’s executive board to address this issue.

As a convention, we are working to propose a strong and shared agenda to address these challenges, and also to take away some important lessons from the pandemic, namely that we are part of Earth’s life chain, and we do not own it. That common good is not the stock exchange index. It must be protected by public institutions. That digitalisation can drive social and 19-06-2021 39 democratic progress, but also reinforce domination and exclusion patterns, and it comes with a huge environmental impact.

Finally, that democracy is definitely not a given, and to be meaningful to people, it must give a voice, power, rights, and dignity to all. Thank you very much.

1-028-0000 Iratxe García Pérez, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento Europeo. – Señora presidenta, en los últimos años, con una globalización marcada por los intereses comerciales y las políticas neoliberales, nuestra prioridad, que son las personas, había quedado en un segundo plano.

Con unas políticas obsesionadas por la lógica del crecimiento económico, la Unión Europea se olvidó de las políticas públicas, pero la crisis de la COVID-19 nos ha devuelto a la realidad. Y la realidad es que la inversión pública es necesaria para sostener los sistemas de salud y el Estado del bienestar.

La Unión Europea ha sabido reaccionar y afrontar esta crisis de una manera muy diferente a lo que sucedió en 2008. Aquella disciplina, aquella imposición de la austeridad sin mirar el sufrimiento de las personas, pasó factura. Pasó factura a los gobiernos, pero también a las instituciones europeas, que durante unos años aparecían como los hombres de negro —hombres— que llegaban con tijeras y sin miramientos. El problema es que, cuando los ciudadanos y ciudadanas se sienten decepcionados por las instituciones, cuando pierden la confianza, entonces es cuando crecen los mensajes populistas y extremistas que buscan dividir.

Esta Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa nos brinda una oportunidad que no podemos desperdiciar. Nos brinda la oportunidad de escuchar a las personas para saber qué Europa quieren. Y esto no solo nos atañe a las instituciones europeas; esta comunidad transnacional de solidaridad, de prosperidad, de valores, la hacemos entre todos y todas. Es nuestra tarea cotidiana, desde los estudiantes erasmus, los ayuntamientos, las empresas, los sindicatos, los profesores de escuela... Lo hacemos, además, con una mirada y con voces de mujeres también, que somos la mitad de Europa. La construimos en las capitales, pero también en las regiones de frontera, en los pueblos más recónditos, en las islas y en las montañas. Por eso es importante incluir en este ejercicio a todas las voces y, sobre todo, a las que no solemos escuchar habitualmente.

Este ejercicio democrático coincide con, una vez más, un momento importante que vivimos. Nos jugamos mucho, porque si la Unión Europea no es capaz de solucionar los problemas de la ciudadanía, no tiene razón de ser. Por eso yo pido un ejercicio sincero de apertura, de entrar a fondo en los temas sin apriorismos y tampoco con una fecha de clausura. Démonos tiempo, concentrémonos ahora en dar la voz a la ciudadanía y no nos precipitemos. La casa la estamos construyendo entre todos y todas. Necesitamos reforzar sus cimientos y solo así podrá seguir creciendo.

1-029-0000 Eva-Maria Liimets, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Estonia). – Honourable Co-Chairs, dear ladies and gentlemen, fellow Europeans, the EU needs active citizens who have the EU in their hearts.

The latest Eurobarometer shows that 70% of respondents are generally in favour of the EU. In Estonia, that is even 81%. This shows the optimism, commitment and trust of people towards the EU, its freedoms and values.

This Conference should add to strengthening those good feelings. This Conference should also be about listening to the citizens and speaking less ourselves, as states and institutions. I expect this 19-06-2021 40

Conference to focus on topics that matter to the people, not so much on powers and treaties, which are only a means to an end.

I hope that many people will join and propose ideas about how they would like to shape their lives and the future of the EU. We could use this opportunity to communicate to our citizens in a transparent manner about our intentions and actions when developing further our common European project.

We live in times when a lot is happening. Climate change influences the freedoms and quality of life of future generations. Digital solutions are already an integral part of all areas, from fisheries to health.

Cross-border movement for people and services is not as easy as it should be. The COVID-19 pandemic and health care are still preoccupying everyone’s minds. These are just few areas to deal with when thinking about the future.

Finally, I would like to thank the organisers, the co-chairs of the Conference, and express our sincere hope that the Conference will be a success. Thank you.

1-030-0000 Věra Jourová, Member of the Conference Plenary, Vice-President of the European Commission. – Ladies and gentlemen, it is a real pleasure to greet you on the occasion of the inaugural plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

In the world and also in Europe, we are navigating through uneasy and unstable times, times of health emergency, times of economic challenges due to the pandemic, times of huge green and digital transformation, social difficulties, poverty, and many other issues.

We are also navigating through a democratic crisis to a certain extent, with populism thriving in some countries. I can only confirm here that the European Commission is determined to promote and protect our fundamental rights and values, including the rule of law.

The EU is, for me, a space where we also nurture democracy and healthy democratic debate. It is up to all of us to engage and defend it. In the EU, we are pursuing a whole-of-society approach. This is where our Conference on the Future of Europe comes in. Its aim is to give Europe’s citizens an opportunity to shape Europe’s future.

I think that the digital platform which was presented here is a good example of the innovation we want to bring into our European debate. I was always dreaming about a Czech teacher speaking to a Danish social worker in all languages, of having no barriers to communication. I think that we can achieve that through the platform. We can also achieve higher participation of young people through the platform. They first of all should say how they see the future of Europe. If I remember the figure on the platform rightly, more than 20% of the participants who contributed with their ideas come from that category of up to 25 years old.

Speaking of young people, maybe many of you will remember, I think it was the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015, in this place, we had Pope Francis speaking. It was a big moment, but also in a very dark atmosphere. I remember very well that he said something like, ‘Europe reminds me of an old, tired granny’, and it was quite accurate: low energy. I feel anything but low energy today. I think from that difficult moment, Europe went through so many crises, which I feel made us stronger. But now we are here to reach another agreement – the broadest possible agreement – on how to continue in Europe. 19-06-2021 41

Václav Havel always or often spoke about Europe as a task. And I fully agree: Europe is a task, a task for us. Let’s go and do it. Thank you very much.

1-031-0000 Nik Prebil, član plenarnega zasedanja konference, nacionalni parlament (Slovenija). – Gospa predsednica, (neslišne besede) kolegice, državljani Evrope in kolegi.

Namen te konference je dober, je ambiciozen, razprava o prihodnosti Evropske unije pa je več kot nujna. In ključni cilj je slišati glas državljanov in pa narediti neki zaključek, ki bo resnično prinesel rešitve in pa nov napredek za Evropo. In ta glas smo tudi predstavniki nacionalnih parlamentov, ki zastopamo posamezne narode, in minuta za kvalitetno razpravo je resnično malo, a ne glede na to, pričakovanja Slovenije in pa moja pričakovanja do tega dogodka so resnično velika.

Videti želim uspeh in nekaj, kar se bo odrazilo bodisi v velikih reformah bodisi v manjših spremembah, a s ciljem boljšega življenja vseh nas, in to pa lahko delamo samo skupaj in to je tudi namen te Evropske unije. In tudi med našim predsedovanjem bomo skrbeli za ta napredek. Prioritete se usmerjajo v digitalizacijo, odpornost, ki vključuje to naše zdravje, odziv na podnebne spremembe, okrepitev gospodarstva in seveda javnih storitev in sociale in pa več kot pomembne solidarnosti.

Ključno je, da se v vsem tem spoštuje vladavina prava in pa demokracija, za katero smo se borili in se na neki način borimo še vedno, a najpomembnejši del zame, spoštovani, je prihodnost mladih v Evropski uniji. Zaključek tega mora biti ustvarjanje priložnosti za mlade, to pa je mogoče zgolj in samo, če jih slišimo in upoštevamo, in zadnji čas je, da to storimo, namreč od tega je odvisna naša skupna prihodnost.

1-032-0000 Γιώργος Παγουλάτος, Μέλος της ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης, Πολίτες. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, εκπροσωπώ την Ελλάδα, μια κοινωνία που ακόμα και στα πολύ δύσκολα παρέμεινε αταλάντευτα φιλοευρωπαϊκή. Πριν 20 χρόνια, η Ευρώπη είχε στραφεί ξανά στους πολίτες της. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Συνέλευση, τότε, παρήγαγε ένα Ευρωπαϊκό Σύνταγμα που όμως ακυρώθηκε από τις δυνάμεις του μυωπικού εθνικισμού. Έκτοτε, η Ευρώπη πορεύεται με αδυναμίες, επιβιώνει σε κρίσεις, καταγράφει και σημαντικά επιτεύγματα. Θα μπορούσε, όμως, πολύ περισσότερα. Σήμερα, είναι η ευκαιρία, οι πολίτες να ξανασχεδιάσουμε μαζί την Ευρώπη, τη θέση της Ευρώπης στον κόσμο. Μια εμπορική υπερδύναμη που, όμως, αδυνατεί να βάλει τάξη στη γειτονιά της και να επιβληθεί σε τυράννους.

Μπορεί η Ευρώπη να υπερασπιστεί τη στρατηγική της αυτονομία; Μπορεί το ευρώ να θωρακιστεί με μια βιώσιμη οικονομική ένωση που θα μπορεί να δημιουργεί καλής ποιότητας θέσεις εργασίας; Μπορεί η Ευρώπη να αποκτήσει τις αρμοδιότητες που χρειάζεται για να ανταποκριθεί στις τεράστιες προκλήσεις των καιρών;

Είναι σημαντικό, ιδίως το Συμβούλιο να μεταφράσει τις προτάσεις των Ευρωπαίων πολιτών σε σχέδιο δράσης. Το οφείλει στην Ευρώπη να μην την αφήσει να φθίνει και να παρακμάσει, το οφείλει στους νέους Ευρωπαίους, η διάσκεψη να οδηγήσει από τη σκέψη στην πράξη.

1-033-0000 Vasco Cordeiro, membro do plenário da Conferência, Comité das Regiões (Portugal). – Do meio do Atlântico, do arquipélago dos Açores, uma das regiões ultraperiféricas da Europa, dirijo uma saudação a todos os participantes nesta Conferência e permitam-me que, em particular, saúde a Presidência portuguesa, através da Secretária de Estado Ana Paula Zacarias, pelo seu trabalho e pelo seu impulso a esta Conferência.

Together we stand, divided we fall. 19-06-2021 42

Eu julgo que esta expressão pode ser utilizada em parte para esta Conferência, e porquê? Porque considera importante que não se crie a ideia de que de um lado estão os cidadãos e do outro lado estão as instituições. Não. Devemos estar todos unidos nesta procura e neste esforço de melhorar a Europa.

Por último, a parte mais fácil é realizar a Conferência. A parte mais difícil é saber o que fazer com os seus resultados. Durante a Conferência está em causa a participação cívica. Após a Conferência está em causa a confiança dos cidadãos.

1-036-0000 Antje Gerstein, Member of the Conference Plenary, Economic and Social Committee. – It is an honour to be able to participate in this Conference on the future of Europe, on behalf of the Employer’s group of the European Economic and Social Committee. The EESC is a unique platform which unites employers, trade unions and civil society at large. Building consensus between these significant societal forces is a key skill of this institution, which we consider its major achievement and its raison d'être.

The members of the EESC are perfectly placed to play a significant role on local, regional and national levels. For our businesses we want a European refresh of the licence to operate. We ask for a European framework conducive to entrepreneurial freedom, open to innovation, passioned by creativity and based on scientific evidence. This will guide us to follow state-of-the-art pathways and successfully master the challenges ahead, in particular climate change. We feel a strong responsibility to deliver on skills and qualifications for the generations to come. A European excellent space will be of utmost importance to enable European industry to remain at the global forefront, delivering jobs and sustainable growth for Europe. We hope this Conference will succeed in delivering the reform ideas we need. We as employers feel committed to the future of Europe now more than ever. Thank you.

1-037-0000 Markus Beyrer, Member of the Conference Plenary, Social Partners. – Good morning to all of you. BusinessEurope and its member federations have always been very committed and have been strong supporters to the European integration process. We are basically around since 1958, and I think I can say that we have been instrumental in many of the crucial steps forward like, for instance, in the European single market and also in youth exchange projects. And we support this Conference and its aim of listening to European citizens, even though we warn of overburdening citizens with expectations that might not all be able to meet, because this can be politically backfiring.

But most importantly, my message to all of you is: please do not forget that the basis for all our projects, be they environmental, social, human rights or others, is a vibrant and healthy economy. Without companies that create wealth and jobs, nothing can be achieved. This is the foundation for the international attractiveness of the European model and the prerequisite for our cherished European way of life. And in this sense, BusinessEurope and the employers will be most happy to constructively contribute to the success of this very Conference. Thank you very much.

1-038-0000 Patrizia Heidegger, Member of the Conference Plenary, Civil Society. – Good morning and thank you, Co-Chair. I speak on behalf of the Civil Society Convention for the Future of Europe. I’m here in support of those millions of citizens who are demanding social justice and equity and mobilising for climate action, for zero pollution and the protection of biodiversity. If there’s one thing that this Conference needs to be, then a platform for those voices whom we hardly hear in the Brussels corridors, whether our neighbours, our colleagues, our spouses who do not hold European passports, but they make important contributions; whether the millions of Europeans belonging 19-06-2021 43 to racialised communities and who remain invisible to often. This is the EU’s opportunity to act upon what the people of Europe demand for a truly just transition to tackle the persisting inequalities and to address the intersection of discriminations that prevent too many of us from still enjoying all rights and possibilities.

This is an opportunity to listen to the young people who have been marching the streets, demanding a liveable planet and a liveable future; to listen to what we must do to speed up the transformation to a carbon-neutral, zero-pollution, globally-just well-being economy in full respect of ecological boundaries. It’s a key moment to build societal consensus about the levers of system change that we need to activate now. We do not need another talk shop; we need the decision makers to act upon this Conference’s outcome. Thank you very much.

1-039-0000 Pascal Durand, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, Parlement européen. – Madame la Présidente, certains me faisaient remarquer dans les couloirs que personne n’avait encore parlé français dans cette conférence; il suffisait de demander. Voilà qui est fait avec plaisir.

Enfin, nous y voilà! Cette conférence est un moment privilégié, un moment précieux, le moment où nous allons sortir de la dictature des urgences pour prendre un peu le temps de réfléchir, d’écouter, d’élaborer, de construire l’Europe que nous voulons. Ce ne sont plus seulement les institutions seules qui vont le faire, c’est toute la société européenne, nous l’avons entendu, dans toutes ses composantes, qui va s’y atteler et qui va élaborer et construire ensemble. C’est l’entrée de l’Union dans une démocratie du XXIe siècle, celle qui n’oppose pas la démocratie représentative et la participation directe des citoyens, qui, au contraire, les rassemble et essaie de faire en sorte que nous puissions travailler ensemble pour se renforcer.

Pour réussir – cela a été dit, mais je le répète –, cette conférence ne pourra pas rester un exercice formel. Nous devons déboucher sur des propositions concrètes, car oui, l’Europe doit se repenser, elle doit évoluer, elle n’est pas figée: c’est un être vivant, l’Europe! Elle doit rester dynamique. Et oui, nous sommes les gardiens sourcilleux de ses valeurs: la démocratie, la paix, les libertés individuelles, publiques, l’état de droit; ce sont nos valeurs, nos principes et nous les défendrons.

Pour autant, nous souhaitons aussi que l’Europe puisse répondre efficacement – et cela a été dit tout à l’heure – à toutes les crises et à tous les défis qui se présentent aujourd’hui devant nous, qu’ils soient sociaux, environnementaux ou humains. Nous devons pouvoir répondre efficacement et, parfois, rapidement à tous les défis. Alors oui, nous devons faire en sorte que l’action continentale soit en mesure de répondre à ces défis.

Cette Europe, puissance souveraine, fière et forte, respectée de ses partenaires, mais, en même temps, crainte de ses adversaires – car ne soyons pas naïfs, il y a des adversaires sur cette planète qui ne partagent pas nos valeurs et qui veulent nous affaiblir et nous détruire –, nous devons la faire s’appuyer sur des compétences nouvelles et sur une pratique du pouvoir renouvelée. Je vous le dis, chers amis, de même que l’intérêt général n’a jamais été la somme des intérêts particuliers, l’intérêt général européen n’est pas la somme des intérêts de 27 États nations. Ce n’est pas vrai. C’est autre chose, c’est au-delà de cela. Nous devons donc faire en sorte de sortir de la vetocratie, de sortir de l’unanimité, d’entrer dans une démocratie moderne, de faire en sorte que nous puissions décider ensemble. Nous devons associer la représentation nationale, le Parlement européen, aux grandes décisions économiques et financières. Je vous le dis, nous ne sommes pas condamnés à attendre un changement de président de l’autre côté de l’Atlantique pour aboutir à une harmonisation fiscale ici, en Europe. Nous n’avons pas besoin d’attendre que des dictatures, ici ou là sur la planète, signent des accords de l’OIT ou signent l’accord de Paris pour faire en sorte que nos entreprises et nos institutions les respectent. 19-06-2021 44

Soyons imaginatifs, soyons fiers, soyons courageux. Je terminerai en citant un grand président de la Commission européenne, Jacques Delors, qui disait tout simplement: «Ne laissons pas l’Europe devenir un simple sujet de l’Histoire. Faisons en sorte qu’elle en reste une actrice». Et si j’osais, je dirais même: une auteure.

1-040-0000 Luigi Di Maio, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, Consiglio (Italia). – Buongiorno, voglio ringraziare tutte e tutti per essere qui oggi. L'Italia ha sostenuto sin dall'inizio la Conferenza sul futuro dell'Europa come momento in cui i cittadini europei possono confrontarsi per disegnare insieme il futuro dell'Unione europea. Saluto quindi con grande aspettativa questa prima sessione plenaria e ringrazio la Presidenza portoghese per l'organizzazione.

L'Unione europea ha attraversato molti passaggi delicati che ne hanno minacciato l'integrità e la solidità; eppure l'Unione è sopravvissuta, dimostrando una grande e straordinaria resistenza del nostro progetto comune. Sopravvivere però non basta: è il momento per l'Unione di evolvere, preparandosi alle sfide con cui si confronteranno le nuove generazioni di europei.

Il cambiamento vero e profondo deve essere autenticamente partecipato dai cittadini e transnazionale. Anche per questo ritengo fondamentale dare voce ai giovani: crediamo che serva anche l'organizzazione di una conferenza dei giovani in cui vogliamo, come Italia, coinvolgere anche i paesi dei Balcani occidentali e della sponda sud del Mediterraneo.

Gli obiettivi di medio e lungo termine per affrontare le nuove sfide devono essere quelli, sul piano del funzionamento dell'UE, di migliorare la partecipazione democratica e rendere più efficaci le Istituzioni europee superando il veto e quindi con un più ampio ricorso a decisioni a maggioranza qualificata e, sul piano delle politiche sostanziali, di contribuire al dibattito sui temi come la creazione di un'unione sanitaria, l'autonomia strategica aperta, la transizione digitale, il Green deal europeo.

L'Italia continuerà a essere in prima linea in questo sforzo e auguro quindi a tutti voi e a tutte voi un buon lavoro.

1-041-0000 Janusz Wojciechowski, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Commission. – Honourable members of the Conference, ladies and gentlemen, in the debate about the future of Europe, one of the key words should be ‘security’. We must ensure security for future generations – the generations of Europeans – in all aspects, which is defence security, health security, energy supply security and also food supply security. Thanks to our farmers, we have food security now – it was visible during the crisis. The food supply was not interrupted in the whole Europe. This is also thanks to the common agricultural policy, which is a success story policy: a 60-year-old policy. But we can observe some symptoms of negative phenomena which can be dangerous for food security in future.

I would like to remind the words of the Pope, John Paul II, and his address to the farmers 20 years ago in 2000: ‘make sure you don’t give in to the temptation to increase productivity and profit to the detriment of nature. When man forgets this principle, nature will rebel against him’. We can observe some symptoms that we didn’t avoid this temptation in some sectors of European agriculture, especially the livestock sector. The production in this sector is maybe more profitable, but there is a danger that we lose our food security in the future. This is very important.

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We are going to the right direction: This Farm to Fork Strategy, European Green Deal, biodiversity strategy. We need to continue this direction. sustainable agriculture, food production: this is the way to ensure food security for the next generation. Thank you very much.

1-042-0000 Axel Schäfer, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Nationale Parlamente (Deutschland). – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Seien wir uns des historischen Moments bewusst! Nach der Konstituierung des Europäischen Parlaments 1952, der Direktwahl 1979, der Wiedervereinigung des Kontinents 2004 ist das jetzt der vierte große Schritt, den wir tun wollen auf dem Weg zu einer immer engeren Union der Staaten und der Bürgerinnen und Bürger.

Um die Bürgerinnen und Bürger wird es hier jetzt gehen. Es geht aber dabei auch um das Was und das Wie. Was wir tun wollen, haben wir hier schon beschrieben. Lasst uns das tun an jedem einzelnen Ort, wo wir vor Ort aktiv sind! Europa beginnt bekanntlich vor Ort.

Aber lasst uns das auch in dem Selbstbewusstsein tun, dass wir die größte Erfolgsgeschichte in der Moderne dieses Kontinents schreiben! Es gibt keinen Punkt, wo wir in der europäischen Entwicklung uns für irgendetwas entschuldigen müssen. Wir können es selbstbewusst tun. Wir müssen aber die Erfolge auch kennen und benennen. Und immer in dem klaren Bewusstsein: Europa, das bist du und ich und ich und du.

Europa lebt in unseren Herzen, und es denkt in unseren Köpfen. Glück auf!

1-043-0000 Daniela Toutpati, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – I’m here to represent the European Youth Parliament for Belgium. I’m proud of the new initiatives that have been adopted to listen to citizens’ grievances and to include their opinions in EU decisions.

I believe they are a first step towards success and expect the EU to use them wisely in order to shape our society based on the EU’s values. I would like to emphasise the issues of climate change and equality, which in my opinion need more long-term action from our part – action that will only be possible through continual education, because in order not to discriminate, people need to be educated about others’ cultures; in order not to pollute, people need to know about how not to do that.

Education thus needs serious revision. It should be an EU priority, at least for the kind of issues that concern all the Member States of the EU.

Lastly, alongside a good education, there also needs to be transparency, collaboration with, and support for, young people to act as true citizens and to ensure this it is important to collaborate altogether.

1-044-0000 Olgierd Geblewicz, Member of the Conference Plenary, Committee of the Regions (Poland). – Commissioner, distinguished guests: greetings from Warsaw. I’m honoured to address the plenary on behalf of the EPP delegates of the Committee of the Regions. Our expectations for this Conference are nothing less than reminding the European Union that it starts working with the people and for the people. This work starts in our regional cities and villages. In order to meet people’s expectations, we should commit to work closely with input from citizens’ panels and national, regional and local dialogues. All of the topics proposed matter to people: health, climate, environment. But the one that we need to treat with priority is the functioning of European democracy. It will help us deliver bottom-up policies in all other fields. To improve democratic legitimacy in the EU we need to rely less on bureaucratic structures and more on democratic 19-06-2021 46 decisions. Therefore we advocate for a stronger role for politicians with a democratic mandate, close to the people, and for permanent members for citizens’ participation. Thank you very much.

1-045-0000 Oliver Röpke, Member of the Conference Plenary, Economic and Social Committee. – Madam Co-Chair, dear ladies and gentlemen, the workers’ group of the European Economic and Social Committee fully supports this Conference on the Future of Europe, and we will make every effort to ensure that this Conference will be a success with tangible results for the citizens and for working people in Europe. Therefore we have to ensure a participative bottom-up process, including the strong involvement of organised civil society, and the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) is ready to play its role in this respect.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that all citizens, and all working people and their families, they expect from Europe decent working conditions and fair wages, regardless of whether they work in the office, on the factory floor or on a digital platform. Concerns about competences or potential subsidiarity issues are secondary for them. For them, it is the tangible result for their living and working conditions that count in the end. They want Europe to deliver. And this is the reason why this Conference has to deliver.

I am convinced that all options must remain on the table for this Conference, including the correction of design flaws of this Union, and including Treaty changes. Economic market freedoms must no longer prevail over fundamental social rights in the internal market. And this is the reason why we need a social progress protocol which will guarantee that social rights will have priority on the internal market. Thank you very much. We will definitely contribute to the success of this Conference.

1-046-0000 Valeria Ronzitti, Member of the Conference Plenary, Social Partners. – SGI Europe is the social partner representing services of general interest since 1961. Our capacity to provide resilience to citizens was ever more visible during the pandemic, and it made it clear that Europe not only needs to build back better but based on a new paradigm. So our expectation on this Conference is very high, because we want this Conference to lay the foundation for that new paradigm, including, among others, reforming the EMU, making finally possible the separation of productive investment from the fiscal and budgetary rules.

So you have understood by now our ambition is to create a bottom-up, critical mass asking for change, including treaty changes and therefore launch of the Convention. Above all, however, we want to support and respect the participatory bottom-up exercise. There cannot be changes if citizens do not ask for it. And in this respect is our commitment to bring the conference also in the most remote regions and listen to our members and the citizens they serve on a daily basis. You can’t create false expectation and we can’t deceive citizens. To whatever we will commit in the final report, we will have to deliver on it and we are committed to this job. Thank you very much.

1-047-0000 Ioannis Vardakastanis, Member of the Conference Plenary, Civil Society. – There are 100 million persons with disabilities in Europe. For centuries they have been segregated and discriminated against. The future we want for our Union should abolish these situations, embrace diversity and ensure inclusion. We are very concerned about the accessibility of the online platform and the selection of the citizens’ balance and how they will reflect the diversity of the European citizens. And then how will you ensure accessibility of the Conference for persons with disabilities? How will you reach out to the most marginalised, to those living in poverty? To a young Roma woman in the segregated community, to a refugee living in a crowded camp, to those living in residential institutions and to those socially and institutionally excluded? An inclusive Conference should 19-06-2021 47 address the future of all EU citizens, ensuring equal participation and leaving no one behind. And as we say in the disability movement, nothing about us without us. Thank you.

1-048-0000 Daniel Freund, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Dear Europeans, I was in Ljubljana this week, and I met Ivan Gale. Ivan is a whistle-blower who has exposed at least 13 cases of fraud and corruption over mask deals during the pandemic. For that, he was fired by the Slovenian Government and personally attacked by Prime Minister Janša. Ivan is just one of the many victims of illiberalism in Europe, one of the many that have suffered from the attacks on free media, on judges, on minorities, and on those that, like Ivan, have tried to fight corruption.

Ivan Gale has high hopes with regard to the European Union. Many, like him, hope that the European Union will deliver on the big challenges of our time: on climate change, on taxing large corporations, and on defending our interests in the world and our values at home.

The reason that the European Union isn’t fully delivering on those challenges is a design flaw right at the heart of the European Union, and that design flaw is unanimity. Because this might sound technical and abstract, but unanimity really means that Viktor Orbán decides whether the EU is capable of stopping leaders from stealing our money. Unanimity means that letterbox companies in Luxembourg decide what the tax rates are for large corporations. Unanimity means that Polish coal-mining companies decide if and when the European Union will be climate neutral. Unanimity means that what a large majority of Europeans want doesn’t really count.

I think this conference needs to fix this design flaw.

Actually, those that prevent us from doing so sit here in this plenary. So, it’s up to us, all of us Europeans, to push them so that we can change that, because together we should use this conference to give hope to citizens like Ivan Gale, we should use this conference as the next step of European integration, towards a European federal republic. Thank you very much.

1-049-0000 Rumen Alexandrov, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Bulgaria). – The Conference on the Future of Europe is an excellent opportunity to have an ambitious exchange of views to overcome the current pandemic and build the capacity for resilience to future crises, as well as shaping the future of next generations. We expect a structured bottom-up debate based on a strategic agenda and focused on topics with practical dimensions on which we could achieve a real added value, rather than on institutional issues. Let us hope that the expectations raised later on could be managed in a smooth and efficient manner.

Policies targeting the growth and competitiveness of the European economy with a focus on digital and climate transformation, public health and migration deserve special attention. The future EU policies should contribute to overcoming the differences between Member States and lead to more cohesion and convergence among them, thus making the EU stronger and more resilient. Let me also say that we are actively promoting the digital platform at national level and scheduling the events calendar in close cooperation with the other stakeholders. Organising local events is important. Building on experience gained from the European citizens’ consultations, our efforts will be focused on holding the conference in the most inclusive and accessible manner, including national parliaments and all levels of society, especially the young people.

We are also open to the idea of associating the Western Balkans with the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The debate on the future of Europe will focus on common challenges such as the green transition, digital innovation and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, 19-06-2021 48 which will give the Western Balkan partners the chance to engage more closely with the future EU agenda. Thank you.

1-050-0000 Mairead McGuinness, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Commission. – Very good morning. It’s great to be in Strasbourg and it’s great to have listened to a very lively debate about good ideas for the future. But I just want to remind ourselves that sometimes we don’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone. Look what happened to our freedom of movement because of the pandemic. We realised how valuable it is, but only when it was gone. So I would implore us all in this conference, which is looking to the future of Europe, to not forget what we have and not to take it for granted. I really fear that if we only look to the future and ignore holding on to what we’ve created, we will make a big mistake. Because what is good will not remain unless we nurture it. So we’ve got to do that in this Conference.

So, I look after the financial system in the European Union: small shoulders, big job. But it’s crucial to the future of Europe. Look what happened when there was financial instability: Europe practically fell apart and we had to put it together. Money will be needed for the green and digital transformation. We need to make the right decisions about investing, and our citizens want to do that. And we in the Commission will help them do that.

But what about the disruption? A digital euro, cryptocurrencies, cyber attacks: all of these things that are new and threatening. We have to tackle these dangers. And it is in times of crisis that Europe has delivered. We don’t waste a crisis, but by God, we would like to avoid them in the future. And I hope this Conference will set us on that path.

We now know that expecting Europe to grow, to add more countries, is not always a given either. Next week we will mark the fifth anniversary of the United Kingdom referendum to leave the European Union. I chaired the last debate where the UK were no longer leaving and were on the way out. And I chaired it with great sadness. And Brexit brought back words – borders, barriers – words that had disappeared because of EU membership but are now back on the table. And you know, it’s not the physical barriers that I worry about most; it’s the barriers of minds and hearts. And we have to watch these barriers, because they’re invisible. But when they are inside, they’re hard to change.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is good to talk. It is better to listen. And as a Commissioner, I look forward to listening to this Conference on the Future of Europe. Thank you.

1-051-0000 Lucia Puttrich, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Nationale Parlamente (Deutschland). – Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrte Damen und Herren! Ich bin Vertreterin des Bundesrates, der zweiten Kammer in Deutschland, und ich darf dazu sagen: Ich glaube an den Erfolg der Europäischen Union! Ich glaube, dass wir immer wieder zeigen müssen, dass es ein Europa der Bürgerinnen und Bürger ist und nicht ein Europa der Institutionen. Es ist so, dass die Institutionen den Bürgern zu dienen haben und nicht die Bürger den Institutionen.

Diese Konferenz zur Zukunft Europas ist die große Chance zu zeigen, dass wir den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern zuhören, dass wir umsetzen und dass wir Veränderungswillen haben. Daran appelliere ich, dass wir kein geschlossener Club sind, dass es uns gelingt und dass wir interessiert sind, Menschen zu erreichen und ihre Erwartungen, die sie haben, auch zu erfüllen.

Das bedeutet für uns, dass wir auch Veränderungswillen haben müssen. Das ist auch unsere Aufgabe in den nationalen Parlamenten: nicht zu beharren auf dem, was wir haben, und zu sagen, was nicht geht, sondern offen zu sein, um zu zeigen, was geht. 19-06-2021 49

Was wir brauchen, um erfolgreich zu sein, ist Veränderung. Dafür wünsche ich uns Mut und Erfolg.

1-052-0000 Gergana Passy, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Good morning from Bulgaria. I’m representing the citizens of Bulgaria, but that’s a huge responsibility because people are different and citizens might have different expectations when it comes to Europe. The purpose of this enormous social experiment should be that we make Europe more relevant to citizens, open and innovative, less bureaucratic based on science and future proof. And this is very much related to how high we aim from one side, but also to how we manage expectations.

A great European mind, Albert Einstein, said about his theory of relativity that if it proved right, the Germans would announce that he’s German and the French would say that he’s a citizen of the world. But if his theory proved wrong, the French would say that he’s a German and the Germans would say that he was a Jew.

I’m saying this because, at the end of the day, this public debate should leave the citizens with the feeling that these are their expectations European driven, not nationalistic driven. Thank you very much.

1-053-0000 Kata Tüttő, Member of the Conference Plenary, Committee of the Regions (Hungary). – What I wish to see when I look into the future of Europe is to see more women smiling, because what I see today is that poverty has a women’s face. When I look at healthcare, when I look at childcare, when I look at the consequences of staying at home, I see obviously that the COVID-19 crisis had a women’s face.

This Conference is an opportunity to have more women in the discussion, to give Europe a women’s filter, to see our cities working, to see our societies working through a different lens. What I hope is that this different lense will induce a change that will result in more European women smiling. Thank you.

1-054-0000 Séamus Boland, Member of the Conference Plenary, Economic and Social Committee. – Good morning Co-Chair, and thank you for the opportunity. When Robert Schuman addressed the Conference of Europe in 1951, almost 70 years ago, he likened it (and I paraphrase) to a laboratory testing out the initiatives of cooperation. This, as far as I’m concerned, as President of Diversity Europe (part of the European Economic Social Council), is what we are doing for the future of Europe. We are listening to voices: voices of consumers and farmers, of environmentalists, of professions, of community representatives, actors involved in human rights and social freedoms. We are talking about the young and the old, and it’s no harm if we remember just briefly the price the older people have paid for the Covid pandemic. They have paid a huge price, and when we talk about a health union, let us not forget that. We in our group will be in favour of this Future of Europe Conference, provided it remains strongly and without any doubt to continue to speak to us and to work afterwards in terms of providing actions and providing places to be.

Let us be clear: citizens demand and are looking for a place in the future of Europe. We want to be the voices, and in Diversity Europe we will ensure that you get that voice. The future should be ours: let it be.

1-055-0000 Véronique Willems, Member of the Conference Plenary, Social Partners. – Thank you for inviting SMEunited to the Conference plenary to speak on behalf of crafts and SMEs in Europe. Many small 19-06-2021 50 businesses are fighting for their survival at the moment. They count on the European Union to support them in this endeavour. Measures are announced, and it’s our task to put these words into action. To feed into the work of this conference, SMEunited will engage in a thorough dialogue with entrepreneurs across the continent.

Discussions in the past few years already provided us with key topics for our work. First, the EU has to guarantee that rules developed take into account those who have to apply them. Entrepreneurs are the ambassadors for the European project. Secondly, the EU has to improve the implementation and enforcement of duly jointly agreed rules. The real application of EU agreements must ensure fairness, strengthen the EU project and increase trust in joint institutions. Finally, the EU should pay attention equally to the reality in metropolitan and rural areas. No one should be left behind. Crafts and SMEs are ready to contribute to the future of Europe. Thank you.

1-056-0000 Petros Fassoulas, Member of the Conference Plenary, Civil Society. – It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m speaking on behalf of the European Movement, the biggest network present in 30 countries that brings together civil society, social partners, local governments, culture and activists from across Europe.

The European Movement was set up in 1948 when prominent statesmen like Churchill, Adenauer, Spinelli came together with hundreds of citizens to discuss the future of Europe. Just three years after Europeans slaughtered each other on the battlefield, those inspired people that established the European Movement had the audacity to dream of a united Europe based on democracy, peace and the pursuit of our common interests. Today we gather, as the pandemic reminded us again, that only by standing together we can survive and prosper.

We should be inspired by what took place in 1948 and be ambitious as we once again discuss the future of Europe. We should have real debates – citizen-centred, results-oriented – with a clear follow-up. Proposals must be turned into reforms, and the EU institutions must take the ideas of citizens and turn them into action that delivers for all Europeans.

This is a unique opportunity to show how inclusive Europe is and how it delivers for all Europeans across the continent. The European movement will be organising discussions and debates across the EU, and we hope that we can welcome all of you there and be part of this plenary. Thank you.

1-057-0000 Hélène Laporte, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, Parlement européen. – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs, notre première assemblée plénière marque le démarrage effectif de cette conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe, dont le contenu reste entièrement à écrire. Cette mission est exaltante, mais son résultat dépendra également de l’investissement de chacun et de la contribution de nos concitoyens.

Je mets en garde les institutions européennes contre la construction d’un espoir trop important à l’égard des réformes qui pourraient découler de la conférence, lequel ajouterait au sentiment d’éloignement que nos concitoyens connaissent actuellement, une grande déception. Un parallèle peut être fait avec ce que la France a voulu faire en mettant en place la Convention citoyenne pour le climat, dont les 150 citoyens tirés au sort ont sévèrement jugé le gouvernement dans l’absence ou le retard dans la prise en compte des propositions.

Nos concitoyens n’ont pas l’impression que l’Union européenne soit démocratique dans son fonctionnement et cette conférence pourrait accentuer ce sentiment. Redéfinir l’Europe est une très bonne chose et vous serez peut-être surpris des désidératas que nous entendrons des différents panels de citoyens, et il faudra les accepter dans leur ensemble. 19-06-2021 51

À ce sujet, la sélection des citoyens doit être impartiale. Il est nécessaire que la pluralité politique soit respectée pour que tous les citoyens soient représentés. Sur le terrain, dans mes déplacements, j’entends régulièrement mes interlocuteurs me dire qu’ils ne sont pas opposés à l’Europe, mais qu’ils souhaitent une Europe différente. Nous souhaitons une Europe des coopérations, nous l’appelons de nos vœux, une Europe à l’écoute des concitoyens qui respecte la souveraineté des États membres dans des domaines clés comme la santé ou les droits sociaux.

La question de la migration ne devra pas non plus être éludée. Nos travaux confirmeront certainement le sentiment de grande inquiétude des Européens sur cette question, et cette conférence devra être l’occasion d’un débat, réel mais dépassionné, sur le sujet.

La couverture médiatique de cet évènement est à mon sens insuffisante, et la qualité des contributions risque malheureusement d’en pâtir. Il nous appartient de donner un élan à cette conférence, qui ne devra pas avoir peur de prendre en compte l’ensemble des opinions de nos concitoyens.

1-058-0000 Sophie Wilmès, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, Conseil (Belgique). – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs, chacune et chacun en vos titres et qualités, avec mon collègue, M. Elio Di Rupo, ministre-Président du gouvernement wallon, nous sommes très heureux de pouvoir participer à cette première séance plénière de la conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe.

Cette conférence, il est vrai, présente une opportunité unique de démocratie participative, inclusive, où les citoyens doivent occuper une place centrale et pouvoir se sentir écoutés et, surtout, impliqués. C’est une question de légitimité, mais aussi de nécessité, si l’on souhaite, demain, renforcer et nourrir le lien de confiance dans ce projet politique unique d’une union sans cesse plus étroite entre les peuples.

Concrètement, la Belgique abordera cet exercice de réflexion avec un panel de citoyennes et de citoyens représentatifs de notre pays, qui seront tirés au sort et qui se réuniront pour débattre de thématiques relatives à la participation des citoyens à la construction européenne; d’autres initiatives sont encore à l’étude. Nous nous réjouissons, bien entendu, du lancement concret de ces travaux et attendons avec intérêt les contributions de toutes les composantes. Il est vrai que la production finale des recommandations et leur traduction en résultats tangibles seront des éléments clés sur la base desquels la crédibilité et le succès de la conférence seront évalués.

Je rejoins aussi Ana Paula Zacarias sur ce qu’elle a dit concernant la communication autour de cet exercice, pendant l’exercice, mais aussi après l’exercice.

1-059-0000 Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, parlements nationaux (France). – Madame la Présidente, mes chers collègues, cette conférence puise ses racines dans la volonté inlassable, qui anime maintenant les peuples européens depuis plus de 70 ans, de renforcer leur avenir commun et de continuer à le construire ensemble.

En dépit des obstacles, des doutes et des divisions que nous avons pu connaître ces derniers mois, nous sommes réunis ici, à Strasbourg, et c’est en soi un succès politique qu’il faut saluer. Cette conférence et cette plénière doivent en être les garantes, doivent être l’occasion d’une grande respiration démocratique dont notre Europe a profondément besoin.

Cette respiration, nous la devons à nos citoyens européens, auxquels il revient de nous dire leur vision de l’Europe pour les décennies à venir. Cette respiration, nous la devons aussi et surtout à 19-06-2021 52 notre jeunesse européenne, si durement éprouvée par la crise de ces derniers mois, et j’ai la conviction que cette conférence doit être, avant tout, celle d’une jeunesse qui se réapproprie son destin européen.

Notre responsabilité à nous, plénière, est grande. Elle est de permettre un véritable débat européen, qui seul permettra de porter une Europe de l’ambition et de continuer à forger notre épopée européenne.

Mes chers collègues, avec cette conférence, les défis devant nous sont nombreux et le combat en faveur de l’Europe est loin d’être terminé. Et c’est précisément ce combat pour une Europe plus souveraine, plus unie, plus démocratique, qui défend ses valeurs et sa singularité dans le monde, qui doit être l’objectif que nous partageons et que nous devons atteindre pour les Européens.

1-060-0000 Jan Chlup, člen pléna konference, občané. – Paní předsedající, Evropa, budoucnost Evropy – budoucnost již je dávno zde. Pojďme poslouchat, naslouchat pozorně a dohnat ostatní státy v rámci technologií. Byl bych rád, aby její úroveň šla nahoru a ve prospěch úplně všech lidí, všech národností, a my ji užili evropským způsobem. Byl bych rád, kdybychom nastartovali tzv. evropský motor a nastartovali dění zde v Evropě. Vezměme z této konference, z tohoto panelu tu nejjednodušší myšlenku, nápad, který ovlivní úplně všechny občany a pomůže jim. Stačí menší kroky a dostaneme se mnohem dále.

1-061-0000 François Decoster, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, Comité des régions (France). – Madame la Présidente, je vous parle de Saint-Omer, dans la région des Hauts-de-France. Nous sommes un million d’élus locaux en Europe. Nous sommes les élus de la proximité, souvent à portée d’engueulade, comme disent certains, et nous sommes souvent en première ligne sur les sujets qui sont au cœur de l’agenda européen. Il faut que la conférence propose la mise en œuvre des outils de mobilisation de ce formidable réseau d’élus locaux pour rapprocher l’Europe de nos concitoyens.

Au Comité européen des régions, nous avons fait ces dernières années des propositions très concrètes pour une subsidiarité active, pour créer un programme Erasmus des élus locaux ou pour favoriser la mise en place de correspondants Europe dans les conseils municipaux. Nous sommes allés voir les institutions. On nous disait parfois: «c’est trop tôt», et quand nous revenions voir les mêmes, quelques mois plus tard, c’était trop tard.

Madame la Présidente, mon grand espoir, celui de ma famille politique, Renew Europe, c’est tout simplement que la conférence dise, sur ces propositions, sur toutes celles qui vont émerger ces prochaines semaines, ces prochains mois, que c’est enfin le bon moment.

1-062-0000 Yves Bertoncini, Member of the Conference Plenary. – I speak as Vice-President of the EMI, European Movement International, an organisation which strongly believes in the virtues of democracy as part of our European identity, strongly believes in the complementarity between representative and participative democracy, and then strongly believes in the added value of this Conference on the Future of Europe.

We wish this Conference will be extrovert, inclusive, transparent, (inaudible) and long enough, two years as planned, so as to involve the maximum of EU citizens, and be sure that all of our networks will invite hundreds of thousands of EU citizens to make their voice heard.

We see this Conference as a unique opportunity to meet enormous internal and international challenges as the European construction is facing its third defining moment. The end of World 19-06-2021 53

War II allowed the Europeans to launch the European construction. The end of the Cold War led us to create our European Union and to reunify our continent. And today we are entering a new world, in which the Europeans must take their destiny into their own hands, which for us conveys two messages.

First, we must act even more together, and reinforce the EU to be able to promote our interests and values at the world level. But second, for this to happen, we must give citizens even more control on the EU’s functioning and decision-making at all levels.

You can count on the EMI networks to be actively involved in this twofold perspective. Thank you for your attention, and see you soon.

1-063-0000 Zdzisław Krasnodębski, członek sesji plenarnej konferencji, Parlament Europejski. – Pani Przewodnicząca! Szanowni Państwo! Z Konferencją w sprawie przyszłości Europy łączą się różne nadzieje i od dwóch godzin o tym rozmawiamy. Niektórzy z nas chcieliby jednak, by ona była kolejnym krokiem do ujednolicenia i centralizacji, by pomogła odebrać państwom i narodom kolejną część ich możliwego samodzielnego decydowania, likwidując zasadę pomocniczości. My i moja grupa się z tym nie zgadzamy. My uważamy, że jej cel byłby spełniony, gdyby przyczyniła się do autentycznego wyjścia do obywateli, do parlamentów narodowych, do wyjścia poza opłotki instytucji europejskich poza ich utrwalone schematy myślenia.

Bo wbrew pozorom z instytucji europejskich, z Brukseli czy Strasburga, często dobrze nie widać Europy, całej Europy. Nie widać jej zróżnicowania gospodarczego, społecznego, politycznego, kulturowego. Nie słychać głosów tych, którzy nie są zadowoleni z obranego kierunku, którzy mają inne poglądy niż te, które są uważane za jedynie słuszne.

Jeżeli się wsłuchamy w te głosy, jeżeli zastanowimy się, jak uwzględnić je w ich różnorodności, by nie lekceważyć również głosu mniejszości, cel konferencji zostanie osiągnięty.

1-064-0000 Konrad Szymański, członek sesji plenarnej konferencji, Rada (Polska). – Dzień dobry. Pani Przewodnicząca, Panie i Panowie! Sukces Europy jest ważny zapewne dla wszystkich. Z całą pewnością sukces Europy jest ważny dla mojego kraju, dla Polski. Europa musi być lepszą odpowiedzią na wyzwania, które się pojawiają, wewnętrzne i zewnętrzne, wyzwania dla naszego dobrobytu, dla naszego modelu społecznego, w końcu dla naszego bezpieczeństwa. Mamy niezwykle rozwinięte kanały dialogu politycznego w Unii Europejskiej. Jeśli konferencja ma przynieść wartość dodaną, musi zaoferować coś więcej. Nie ma powodu, by koncentrować się na interesach instytucjonalnych. Robimy to przy innych okazjach. Dziś bardzo łatwo jest krytykować gwarancję jednomyślności. Jednak pamiętajmy, że jednomyślność chroni nas również przed dyktatem większości, przed alienacją stanowisk mniejszościowych dziś, w końcu przed dekompozycją Unii.

Europy nie można zredukować do jednej tradycji politycznej. Potrzebujemy równouprawnienia wszystkich starych i nowych tradycji politycznych po to, by mogły one wziąć udział w dziele odrodzenia Europy. Potrzebujemy równouprawnienia tradycji i inspiracji chrześcijańskiej i konserwatywnej. Wszyscy mają rolę w tym dziele. Dlatego podkreślamy znaczenie pluralizmu i transparencji w moderowaniu debaty w ramach konferencji, na co zwrócił uwagę polski parlament. Konferencja będzie sukcesem, jeśli nauczymy się rozumieć naszą różnorodność polityczną i narodową. Będzie sukcesem, jeśli skutecznie zaprosimy wszystkich do odrodzenia projektu europejskiego, jeśli w końcu nauczymy się lepiej rozumieć, nie tylko odświętnymi deklaracjami, lepiej rozumieć i słuchać siebie nawzajem. Różnorodność Europy obecna od samych narodzin Europy jest jej siłą, nie słabością. 19-06-2021 54

1-065-0000 Jessika Roswall, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Sweden). – This is an important conference. The EU is facing huge challenges. We also all know that there is an experienced big gap to politics and to Brussels, right or wrong. And if this conference will be successful, we need to get the expectations right, realistic. Otherwise it can backfire. We don’t want that, and therefore the Conference needs to focus on the political problems that we see and not the institutional changes. We need to focus on discussing common values, security (both internal and external) and, of course, climate change. They are the important questions that we all share.

Swedes are positive to the EU, but an EU that more and more increases its influence over national issues will make Swedes more sceptical. Finally, I look forward to listen to our citizens and discuss EU. I do believe that we all have an important mission to do that. Thank you.

1-066-0000 Nicolai Boysen, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – I’m very pleased to see such a strong effort to include the voice of citizens in this Conference. However, I also have to point out that civic space all over Europe is endangered. My own background is in youth organisations and I far too often see colleagues fearing retribution from governments when expressing their opinion or simply hosting events. And besides these very clear crackdowns on basic civil rights, many civil society organisations are lacking financial, administrative and legal support to carry out their essential role in democracy. So I hope to see responses to this problem from the Conference on the future of Europe. But we also need to deal with this problem within the Conference. Organised civil society will be vital in bringing the voice of citizens to the table and at the EU institutions, whose responsibility it is to empower all civil society to take part in this Conference. Thank you.

1-067-0000 Roberto Ciambetti, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, Comitato delle regioni (Italia). – Cari colleghi, intervengo qui oggi da presidente del parlamento regionale del Veneto e da capo della delegazione italiana al Comitato delle Regioni.

Attualmente le regioni sono responsabili dell'attuazione della maggior parte della legislazione dell'Unione ma la loro influenza nel processo decisionale è marginale e il peso degli enti locali e regionali nell'Unione è praticamente minimo. Ciò è anacronistico e diseconomico: l'esclusione degli enti locali e delle regioni è anche tra le cause della debolezza dell'Unione stessa.

Il peso del Comitato delle regioni, a 26 anni dalla sua nascita, va reso più importante nel processo decisionale: chi vuole costruire un'Europa dall'alto, partendo dal centralismo burocratico è destinato al fallimento, perché si pone contro la sussidiarietà e contro i valori fondanti dell'Unione.

Va capovolto il modo in cui si fanno le norme: il cittadino va posto al centro degli interessi generali e le autonomie locali sono le antenne giuste. La strada del futuro passa per la collaborazione, passa per la sussidiarietà: la democrazia si consolida con i rapporti di leale collaborazione e cooperazione tra diversi livelli istituzionali. Solo così avremo futuro.

Grazie e buon lavoro a tutti!

1-068-0000 Anna Echterhoff, Member of the Conference Plenary, Civil Society. – I’m speaking on behalf of the European Movement International and as such, but also on behalf of one of its founding member organisations – the Union of European Federalists (UEF) – I can say that we believed in the importance of this Conference right from the start. Since our foundation – the UEF in 1946 and 19-06-2021 55 the European Movement in 1948 – we have been fighting for a Europe that is politically united. This was also the vision of the founding fathers.

The pandemic has once again confirmed that we were right. This is why we believe that the Conference is both an extraordinary exercise in democratic citizens’ participation never before undertaken at supranational level, and at the same time an unmissable window of political opportunity to improve our common home in order to make it stronger, more capable of action, more united.

We are convinced that this is the right time, the momentum to be politically ambitious and to fight for a sovereign and democratic Europe, capable of shaping a new world order politically and economically. This will be our commitment to the Conference. Thank you all.

1-069-0000 Manon Aubry, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, Parlement européen. – Madame la Présidente, à quoi va servir ce grand débat sur l’avenir de l’Europe? Nous sommes malheureusement nombreux à redouter que cette opération de communication n’accouche que d’une souris.

Vous voulez répondre à la défiance des citoyens envers l’Union européenne? Très bien! Alors soyez lucides sur la responsabilité des traités européens, qui ont légitimé des années de politique néolibérale et creusé une fracture béante entre l’Union européenne et ses peuples. Les traités imposent le libre-échange et la concurrence, alors qu’il faut relocaliser et planifier. Ils imposent l’austérité, alors qu’il faut investir dans la bifurcation écologique et sociale. Ils imposent le tout privé, alors qu’il faut protéger les services publics.

Pour être crédible, cette conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe devrait avoir pour objectif clair de changer ces règles, de la cave au grenier. Mais déjà, le Conseil semble s’y opposer. À quoi bon alors débattre de l’avenir de l’Europe si aucune renégociation des traités n’est possible? Le cadre d’organisation pyramidal, et pour le moins chaotique – on en a tous fait l’expérience ici –, de cette conférence est, lui aussi, symptomatique de votre conception étriquée de la démocratie: des pouvoirs très limités aux groupes d’opposition et une participation citoyenne réduite à un simple témoignage.

Je vous le dis parce que je l’ai entendu. Il ne suffit pas de brandir le mot «citoyens», si vous ne leur donnez à la fin aucun pouvoir de décision dans la procédure. Alors, à quoi bon débattre de l’avenir de l’Europe sans véritablement impliquer les premiers concernés: les Européens?

Vous n’apprenez décidément pas de vos erreurs. Comment oublier que la dernière convention européenne de ce type initia un texte imposé de force aux peuples européens, malgré le «non» aux référendums français, néerlandais et irlandais?

Je lance ici l’alerte: il serait irresponsable de faire de cette assemblée une parodie de démocratie visant uniquement à relégitimer des politiques obsolètes. La refondation de la construction européenne mérite mieux qu’une pièce de théâtre où les dés sont pipés. C’est pour cela que notre groupe de la Gauche mettra en débat une proposition publique de nouveaux traités qui rompent avec les dogmes actuels et répondent aux deux principaux défis de notre temps, les inégalités et l’urgence climatique.

Voilà à quoi doit s’atteler cette conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe si vous voulez être crédibles, faute de quoi, l’Union européenne continuera d’aller droit dans le mur et vous en porterez la responsabilité. 19-06-2021 56

1-070-0000 Gašper Dovžan, član plenarnega zasedanja konference, Svet (Slovenija). – Gospa predsednica, v veliko veselje mi je, da lahko nagovorim ta visoki zbor. Žal mi je, da ne morem biti v Strasbourgu, a hkrati sem vesel, da nas sodobna tehnologija vseeno povezuje in nam omogoča to razpravo.

Konferenca o naši skupni prihodnosti je inovativen proces posvetovanj predstavnikov vlad držav članic EU, evropskih institucij in različnih skupin evropskih državljanov. Upam, da bo okrepil demokracijo v Evropski uniji, ki je tudi dandanes mnogi ne iščejo v dialogu, ampak v konfrontaciji. Upam tudi, da se bomo bolje poslušali in spoznali in si ne bomo privoščili lahkomiselnih izjav in obtožb, kakršne si je danes privoščil evropski poslanec Freund.

Kot predstavnik vlade, ki bo 1. julija prevzela predsedovanje Svetu Evropske unije, imam za konferenco dve želji. Prva je ta, da moramo storiti vse, da konferenca dvigne zavest o pomenu in zgodovinskih pridobitvah evropskega integracijskega procesa. Ta je vse prej kot samoumeven, je temelj našega sožitja in miru, varnosti in blagostanja. Prav je, da širimo to zavedanje zlasti med mladimi.

Seveda pa integracijski proces še ni končan. Evropa še ni dokončno združena in celovita ter v miru sama s seboj. Integracijo moramo zato nadaljevati, jo razširiti in tudi izboljšati. V tem je tudi velika priložnost za to konferenco in želim, da jo izkoristi.

Druga želja pa je ta, da ovrednotimo vse izkušnje, ki smo jih pridobili v več kot desetletnem obdobju soočanja z različnimi oblikami kriz. Te so Evropsko unijo našle nepripravljeno, a se je z njimi znala soočiti. Raje si ne predstavljam razmer, če bi se posamezne države s krizami soočale samostojno brez Evropske unije.

V krizah je EU tudi močno napredovala, a moramo priznati, da je pri tem razvila le sposobnost reagiranja. Konferenca o prihodnosti Evrope pa je priložnost, da se pogovorimo o poti, ki naj jo ubere Evropska unija, da razvije višjo stopnjo odpornosti, ki ji bo omogočala, da v krizah ne bo le reagirala, ampak da bo postala resnični akter tudi na globalni ravni.

Naj zaključim z zagotovilom, da bo Slovenija kot edina država, ki bo tekom celotnega obdobja predsedovanja Svetu EU soočena s procesom te konference, zavzeto delovala v smeri uresničitve obeh želja.

1-071-0000 Héctor Gómez Hernánez, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento nacional (España). – Señora presidenta, en nombre de los Parlamentos nacionales —en este caso, desde España—, consideramos que las decisiones adoptadas por la Unión Europea en los últimos meses —desde el último año— son la senda adecuada por la que debe transitar el proyecto de la Unión Europea: una senda valiente, fundamentada en decisiones valientes, fundamentada en decisiones pensando en la recuperación, pensando en la ciudadanía, pensando en el bienestar de la ciudadanía.

Esa valentía también debemos implementarla en esta Conferencia, que ofrece una enorme, una gran oportunidad para hacer partícipe a la población. Esa valentía también debemos implementarla en las decisiones y en las resoluciones que de aquí, de este trabajo, salgan, porque la ciudadanía está muy pendiente del trabajo que estamos desarrollando, no solo en Europa, también en la comunidad internacional. Y este es un aspecto extremadamente importante para el proyecto europeo.

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Nos esperan con ilusión en América Latina, en África, también en el ámbito de las relaciones transatlánticas y en el Este; en el conjunto de la comunidad internacional. Seamos valientes, trabajemos por un proyecto vertebrador, fuerte y contundente.

1-072-0000 Stephanie Hartung, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Bürgerinnen und Bürger. – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Unterstützerinnen und Unterstützer der europäischen Idee! Ich stehe hier für die europäische Bürgerbewegung Pulse of Europe und vertrete zugleich mit Stolz alle nationalen Europa-Aktivistinnen und Europa-Aktivisten in Deutschland.

Die Zukunftskonferenz hat das Potenzial, einen europaweiten Dialog von Bürgerinnen und Bürgern untereinander sowie mit der Politik in Gang zu setzen. Wir werden uns dabei auf ganz neue Art und Weise begegnen, wenn wir das Vorhaben ernst nehmen, miteinander ins Gespräch zu kommen, einander zuzuhören und einander zu verstehen. So kann es zugleich gelingen, eine europäische Identität zu stiften, die es braucht, um divers und zugleich geeint zu sein. Wir dürfen nicht nur europäisch handeln, sondern wir müssen auch europäisch fühlen.

Lassen Sie uns also in einen echten Dialog kommen – ergebnisoffen, auf Augenhöhe, getragen vom Respekt für andere Meinungen, auch derjenigen, die nicht ohne Zweifel gegenüber der EU sind. Dann kann heute etwas sehr Besonderes seinen Anfang nehmen. Ich freue mich drauf.

1-073-0000 Kieran McCarthy, Member of the Conference Plenary, Committee of the Regions (Ireland). – Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine is an Irish proverb which means people are shielded by each other and we rely on each other, and this is where the European Union’s strengths are, in richly diverse regions, cultures and languages.

Over the next year, as members of elected local and regional governments in the Committee of the Regions, we commit to reaching over, listening even more, and bringing the messages of citizens back to the table.

I do feel, Madam Chair, that the Conference is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to really open up and map a course for the EU which is reflective and reactive to those we represent in our regions, cities and rural communities.

I also strongly believe we need to ditch the jargon and reach out to our regions in a way that they will embrace this opportunity. I share the view, as do my colleagues in the Committee of the Regions, that we need to open up clear communication lines and show that we act upon the ideas received.

So let us create a concrete vision, a concrete plan, and have confidence to build upon what our regions and cities want for the future. More importantly, let’s work together to deliver a more effective EU.

1-074-0000 Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Dear colleagues, we have had the Great Recession, sovereign debt, migration, Brexit, and finally COVID-19. These are the frames of the unresolved crises of the last 15 years that lead us here today, in this House, looking at each other. This cursed virus is costing millions of lives, but is also forcing us to open our eyes.

With Next Generation EU we showed courage, but not yet enough. We need to overcome the obsolete fiscal compact to make our common debt permanent, to put an end to unanimity, and to create a consistent federal budget to fight against unacceptable inequalities. 19-06-2021 58

I ask you to commit with heart and soul to this Conference, to reject any pre-packaged solution, taboo or constraints of time, to fully include the Western Balkan countries as future Member States, and above all to put the voice of the citizens at the core of our efforts.

There is only one way to overcome scepticism, mistrust and resignation, which is that we all agree to take their conclusions as politically binding. Only if we finally give them full trust, will they recover their genuine and unconditional confidence, in the firm belief that the best for Europe is really yet to come.

1-075-0000 Clément Beaune, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, Conseil (France). – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs les coprésidents, Mesdames et Messieurs, c’est un moment émouvant de vivre ici, à Strasbourg, dans l’hémicycle du Parlement européen, la première session plénière de cette conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe. Je veux remercier à nouveau la présidence portugaise pour ses efforts, et nos coprésidents qui ont travaillé sans relâche pour permettre cet exercice.

C’est un exercice unique, nécessaire, plus encore après la crise, car nous devons ouvrir les portes et les fenêtres de notre débat pour sortir de l’entre-soi et des débats de professionnels sur l’Europe. En même temps, je veux ce matin pousser un cri d’alerte, presqu’un cri d’alarme, sur cet exercice, parce que j’y crois: nous avons passé trop de temps sur nos discussions d’organisation et de processus, nous passons trop de temps sur nos règles, pas assez sur nos idées et sur notre débat de fond. Il est temps d’ouvrir ce débat de propositions. Si nous ne le faisons pas, nous risquons de rendre notre Europe ridicule et, plus grave encore, décevante. Ce n’est pas possible après la crise. L’urgence, c’est de renforcer la participation des citoyens en lançant au plus vite, dans tous nos États membres, les panels citoyens qui font le sel et l’importance de cette conférence, en faisant en sorte que, dès la prochaine plénière, les citoyens soient tous présents avec nous. Nous avons une plateforme qui fonctionne et nous aimerions, Madame la Vice-présidente, avoir déjà un certain nombre d’éléments concrets. Et j’insiste sur cette dimension multilingue – je le dis amicalement à nos coprésidents, il serait important qu’on la retrouve aussi dans vos interventions.

Faisons des propositions: avons-nous besoin de listes transnationales? Avons-nous besoin d’une Agence européenne de la cybersécurité? Avons-nous besoin d’une politique commerciale réformée, plus environnementale, qui protège nos standards alimentaires? Discutons vite de tout cela. Nous avons besoin de passer aux propositions, à la confrontation d’idées, sans superposer nos interventions, confrontons ces idées.

J’appelle ce matin à l’urgence, au sursaut, à notre engagement. Nous n’avons pas le luxe d’échouer. Cette conférence est une chance, nous ne pouvons pas la gâcher. Nous réussirons ensemble, et puisque c’est de saison, je dirais: droit au but.

1-076-0000 IN THE CHAIR: ANA PAULA ZACARIAS Co-Chair, Portuguese Council Presidency

1-077-0000 Karl Vanlouwe, lid van de plenaire vergadering van de conferentie, nationale parlementen (België) – Voorzitter, artikel 4 van het Verdrag betreffende de Europese Unie is cruciaal in deze Conferentie, namelijk de eerbiediging van de constitutionele realiteit van lidstaten. Op grond van Verklaring 51 bij het Verdrag van Lissabon, die de realiteit in België verduidelijkt, ben ik hier vandaag als volksvertegenwoordiger uit Vlaanderen, uit het Vlaams Parlement. De toekomst van de Europese Unie ligt in het verkleinen van de kloof met de burger en dit kan via subsidiariteit. Daarom is meer samenwerking met en betrokkenheid van lidstaten, deelstaten, regio’s en lokale autoriteiten zo 19-06-2021 59 belangrijk. Enkel zo kan de Unie haar democratische legitimiteit vergroten. Laat ons afstappen van nutteloze discussies over meer of minder, maar gaan voor een Unie die beter werkt, die efficiënter werkt, een Unie die meerwaarde biedt voor burgers én bedrijven, die luistert naar de burgers, een Unie die veiligheid en welvaart creëert, met de focus op een sterke economie, op een verdieping van de markt voor digitalisering, veiligheid en de strijd tegen illegale migratie. Door te luisteren naar de burgers is er zeker een toekomst voor Europa.

1-078-0000 Muhterem Aras, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Ausschuss der Regionen (Deutschland). – Frau Präsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! Als Vertreterin der Grünen-Fraktion im Ausschuss der Regionen sind mir vor allem zwei Punkte besonders wichtig. Erstens: Klimaschutz, denn Klimaschutz ist die Herausforderung des 21. Jahrhunderts. Deshalb ist es richtig und gut, dass die EU hier sehr ehrgeizige Ziele gesetzt hat.

Jetzt geht es um die Umsetzung dieser Ziele. Dafür braucht es die richtigen Rahmenbedingungen. Dafür brauchen wir aber auch sehr viel Geld, um unsere Wirtschaft umzugestalten. Ein sinnvolles Instrument dazu wäre beispielsweise die Schaffung eines Umweltfonds.

Zweiter Punkt: Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Solidarität. Wir verlieren an Vertrauen und Glaubwürdigkeit, wenn wir diese Werte, diese Prinzipien nicht vorleben und sie teilweise nicht einmal in der EU eingehalten werden. Zur Durchsetzung dieser wichtigen Prinzipien brauchen wir aber auch Mechanismen, die wirklich greifen, denn diese Prinzipien – Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Solidarität – sind nicht verhandelbar. Und das gilt auch in Richtung Ungarn und Polen, die das Prinzip der Rechtsstaatlichkeit massiv verletzen. Das muss man ganz klar einfordern und artikulieren.

1-079-0000 Paulo Rangel, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Dear members of the Conference, as a Portuguese and a European, as a Member of the European Parliament, I want to state loud and clear: we believe in the European Union, we believe that we can have a better common future.

For that, I think that we need more integration, even eventually a federal Europe, but not – not in any case – a centralised Europe. Federalism is all about devolution. It is the opposite of bureaucratisation and centralisation. That is the ownership of citizens.

So, whatever we think about the different issues, I believe that we should be guided by the principle that Kennedy so inspiringly formulated: ask not what Europe can do for us – ask what we can do for Europe. Because only if we, in this conference, here and now, are able to do something for Europe, the European Union will be able to deliver in the future, and to give to the citizens what they really expect. Thank you very much.

1-080-0000 Milena Hrindiková, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Czechia). – Dear European fellow citizens, it’s also a great honour for me to greet you on this very special occasion, and to share with you some ideas, although it is very difficult to add anything new.

The Conference on the Future of Europe is immensely important. We can see here very many people very much involved in all European issues, and we want to see more. We want Europe to be discussed by a broad variety of groups and citizens, and I’m particularly glad that some representatives of the groups are here.

And I would like to encourage everyone to spend time, and to really discuss what’s important for us and tell us, because we as representatives of the institutions and Member States have many 19-06-2021 60 opportunities, visions, ideas. But what is really important, and what really matters on this occasion, is that we make sure that all the citizens have the chance to say what’s important for them in the future of Europe and that what is done in Brussels is in line with their wishes and views. And this is why we would like to have all this. I’m happy to be part of that, and I’m looking forward to the outcome. Thank you very much.

1-081-0000 Hajnalka Juhász, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Hungary). – Dear colleagues, we share the view that the Conference on the Future of Europe can provide a suitable framework to create a stronger, more resilient and more competitive EU and build a strong European Union based on strong Member States.

In this process, the role of national parliaments is vital, and the principle of subsidiarity must prevail through the process and the dialogue, as these institutions are the closest to citizens, through their legitimately elected representatives. We believe that it is not enough to listen to citizens; their ideas must be integrated into the decision-making process.

Enlargement and neighbourhood policy are also of key importance concerning the future of Europe. Therefore, the Western Balkan candidate countries must also play a significant role in the future of Europe.

I hope that our fight against COVID-19 soon comes to an end and that we finally get the chance to rediscover the spirit of European cooperation. I believe that by taking the right steps, Europe can emerge from this crisis stronger together.

Thank you very much indeed.

1-082-0000 Kaspar Schulz, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Hello, I am the representative of Estonian citizens, and I believe that the main purpose of the event, beyond bringing people into the decision-making processes of the EU, is also to bring about the new style of politics, whereby there is no sharp dividing line at the EU between the representatives and the represented. And, well, the individuals who are interested could participate and be involved in the processes more or less as equals.

I do hope that this democratic exercise will be a success and will be built upon once the Conference has ended to create a system of continuous input from citizens into the decision- making. It is vital to harness the expert knowledge of European citizens for the benefit of the Union.

I do, however, fear that the platform may not be enough to properly engage the citizens, and I fear that the citizens might get sidelined during the Conference and the results. Calls from the platform get used to the legitimisation tools of the preselected thematic cluster screen and digital transition and so on. I believe that more efficient methods of engaging citizens need to be used in order for this Conference to be truly transformative. Thank you very much.

1-083-0000 Gabriele Bischoff, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Europäisches Parlament. – Frau Präsidentin! Ich weiß nicht, wie es Ihnen ging, aber ich bin mit ziemlich gemischten Gefühlen hier angereist, weil es auf der einen Seite so lange gedauert hat, dass wir hier endlich zusammenkommen konnten, und auf der anderen Seite die Frage war: Schaffen wir es hier wirklich, einen Ton zu setzen für Veränderung?

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Aber wenn ich so zuhöre, dann sehe ich, dass es einen großen Willen gibt, wirklich die Fenster im Haus Europa weit aufzumachen und wirklich frischen Wind hereinzulassen, und dass wir die Bürgerinnen und Bürger Europas einladen, sich hier zu beteiligen.

Worum geht es? Wir können und wir wollen nicht so weitermachen, und wir sind auch nicht verdammt dazu, so weiterzumachen wie bisher. Wir wollen ein demokratischeres, ein sozialeres Europa. Wir wissen, dass Ungleichheit ein Treiber ist, wirklich für Unfrieden und auch für Nationalismus. Und deshalb bin ich sehr froh, dass wir hier zusammenkommen, auch nicht nur in Zukunft, um schöne Reden zu halten, sondern um um die besten Lösungen zu streiten, wie wir wirklich dahin kommen, dass wir es schaffen, dieses Feuer wieder anzuzünden, und zwar vor Ort.

Wir müssen alle aktiv werden, diese Zukunftskonferenz vor Ort zu machen, denn wir wollen das Feuer weitergeben und nicht die Asche. In diesem Sinne wünsche ich uns allen ein gutes Gelingen und Europa auch.

1-084-0000 Hans Dahlgren, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Sweden). – ‘The People, Yes’, that’s the name of a great poem by Carl Sandburg, ‘The People, Yes’. It could also be a headline for what we are trying to do with this conference: to create a new and positive opportunity for people all around our Union to express their opinions and ideas for a better Europe, to explain different perspectives and to listen to them with greater attention.

With that approach, hopefully we will see additional engagement and participation by those who usually are not so involved in issues like this. So in my view, we must do better – much better – in involving citizens than what has been possible at this event.

I have no doubt that there is great potential for a very successful debate in the year ahead, because the issues are so pertinent to all citizens in our countries, not an organisation and institutions, or the way that decisions are made, but on the basic issues, on how to gain respect for our democratic values all over the Union, for the rule of law, for the need to reverse the climate crisis, for a strong economic recovery that will create sustainable jobs, a recovery that leaves no one behind. That’s what we can discuss.

Thank you.

1-085-0000 Bogdan Klich, członek sesji plenarnej konferencji, parlament narodowy (Polska). – Szanowni Państwo! Pani Przewodnicząca! Wielkie wyzwanie przed nami, by odpowiedzieć sobie na pytanie, jakiej Europy chcemy, nie my, politycy, ale my, Europejczycy, obywatelki i obywatele wszystkich krajów członkowskich Unii Europejskiej. Wydaje się, że potrzebujemy więcej Europy. O tym mówią sondaże. Ale nie więcej Europy wszędzie, tylko w określonych dziedzinach, na pewno w dziedzinie bezpieczeństwa i to zarówno zewnętrznego, jak i wewnętrznego, na pewno w dziedzinie polityki klimatycznej, na pewno w dziedzinie polityki zagranicznej i na pewno w tej sferze, od której zależy rozwój technologiczny i dobrobyt naszych obywateli, a zatem tam, gdzie Unia Europejska może stymulować rozwój w poszczególnych państwach członkowskich.

Potrzebujemy więcej Europy demokratycznej. Potrzebujemy więcej Parlamentu Europejskiego i więcej konsultacji z parlamentami narodowymi. I wreszcie potrzebujemy więcej Europy przestrzegającej prawa i kontrolującej praworządność w poszczególnych państwach członkowskich, a zatem – Komisji Europejskiej, która wywiązuje się ze swoich kompetencji, Trybunału Sprawiedliwości reagującego szybciej i artykułu siódmego traktatu lizbońskiego, któremu na powrót przywrócimy znaczenie realne, a nie tylko papierowe. 19-06-2021 62

1-086-0000 Noelle O’Connell, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – As the nominated national citizens’ representative from Ireland, I am delighted to contribute in shaping and guiding how the EU serves people both inside and outside the Union as we move forward together. In Ireland, we have a proud tradition of bottom-up, inclusive, democratic engagement, and we have seen how incredible social change can come about by including a diverse range of voices, by thoughtful deliberation, and by being open to following where that discussion leads.

Dar ndóigh, is gné fhíorthábhachtach é an t-ilteangachas mar chuid dár luachanna mar shaoránaigh an Aontais Eorpaigh, ullmhacht na díospóireachta agus comhrá, agus léiríonn sé cé chomh ilchultúrtha atáimid mar Aontas.

This Conference, dear colleagues, should not just be judged on process. It must result in a change that reflects societal priorities rather than solely political priorities. One thing is clear: people want to be heard, and we must listen. The Conference on the Future of Europe is a unique opportunity. We must make the most of it with our shared goal to build a better Europe for all its citizens. Thank you.

1-089-0000 Nicola Beer, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Europäisches Parlament. – Frau Präsidentin! Selten waren die Europawahlen so von Erwartungen in der Bevölkerung beflügelt wie vor zwei Jahren: Erwartungen an Aufbruch, an mehr Demokratie, an mehr Handlungsfähigkeit in der Europäischen Union.

Finanzkrise, Brexit, wachsender Populismus, das inakzeptable, menschenverachtende Sterben auf dem Mittelmeer, Fliehkräfte in der Union, das Erstarken autoritärer Regime in der Welt – all das lässt die Mehrheit der Bürgerinnen und Bürger in Europa nicht – oder muss man sagen, noch nicht – daran zweifeln, dass wir als Union gemeinsam viel stärker sind; viel stärker bei Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, Technologieführerschaft und Wohlstand, bei der Bekämpfung des Klimawandels, der Lösung der Migrationsfrage, bei der Verteidigung der Menschenrechte weltweit.

Aber: Die Zweifel sind da, ob wir die richtige Aufstellung für die Zukunft haben. Zweifel, die die Pandemie noch einmal bestärkt hat mit plötzlich geschlossenen Binnengrenzen und der verstolperten Impfstoffbeschaffung. Zweifel, die sich vor allem daran festmachen, dass die EU nicht geeint mit einer starken Stimme nach außen für gemeinsame Werte eintritt, zu zögerlich ist gegenüber China, Russland, Belarus und im Nahen Osten, dass ihre gewählten Volksvertreterinnen und Volksvertreter nicht stärkeren Einfluss nehmen können als ein einzelner Staatschef mit seinem Veto.

Hier endlich Handlungsfähigkeit herzustellen, ist die Erwartung. Darüber werden wir mit Ihnen diskutieren, da werden wir hinhören, da werden wir mit Ihnen Zukunftspläne entwerfen – für ein starkes föderales Europa, für eine starke gemeinsame Zukunft.

Weil wir Europa lieben, wollen wir die Europäische Union verändern. Das ist unser Anspruch. Das ist unsere Pflicht.

1-090-0000 Juan González-Barba, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Consejo (España). – Señora presidenta, buenos días, buenos días a todos los participantes en el Pleno.

Intervengo con una triple responsabilidad en esta Conferencia: la primera, como miembro del Consejo, cuyos objetivos y misión han quedado bien resumidos en la intervención de Ana Paula 19-06-2021 63

Zacarias; también como representante de un Gobierno cuya agenda impulsa y fomenta lo social, la inclusividad, que no quede atrás ningún territorio ni ninguna persona —bien resumida esta agenda en las intervenciones de Iratxe García y de Héctor Gómez— y, finalmente, también como representante de España, en cuyo territorio queremos que la Conferencia tenga la máxima publicidad y que, además, se garantice la máxima participación de nuestros ciudadanos.

Por ello, estamos organizando un marco complementario de consultas en coordinación con las comunidades autónomas, con las entidades locales, con el Congreso y el Senado, para que la participación española en la Conferencia sea máxima, sea importante y pueda contribuir, tanto nacionalmente como a nivel europeo, a lo que queremos hacer aquí: dar la voz a los ciudadanos para que inspiren nuestra actuación en los próximos años.

1-091-0000 Kacper Płażyński, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Poland). – Dear colleagues, transparency is crucial for democracy. Transparency is crucial for the eventual success of this conference. I have brought up this subject many times before during our meetings, but still I didn’t reach any answer to my motion to register every activity of the conference moderators, even though Vice-Chair Guy Verhofstadt declared to support and present this idea to the executive board. So once again, I’m asking you kindly to implement this idea by the executive board or at least give me an answer in that matter.

One word towards Madame Muhterem Aras from Germany: yes, rule of law is very important, and because of that I am very concerned about massive anti-Jewish demonstrations that are regularly taking place in Germany. There is no place for anti-Semitism in Europe, especially in Germany. European community cannot any longer look another way. Thank you very much.

1-092-0000 Francisco Aldecoa, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Ciudadanos. – Señora presidenta, estimados compañeros participantes en este Pleno de la Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa.

Me dirijo a ustedes en mi calidad de representante de los ciudadanos y la sociedad civil de España, como miembro, y como presidente, del Consejo Federal Español del Movimiento Europeo.

Estoy aquí con verdadera emoción. Quiero recordar el papel que desempeñó el Movimiento Europeo en La Haya, en 1948. Allí nace. Allí estábamos vascos, catalanes, españoles, donde se pone en marcha la sociedad civil europea, que es la que va a empujar la construcción europea.

Por eso, en un momento como el presente, en un momento en el que estamos profundizando en el proceso, quiero insistir en la relevancia de la sociedad civil; en la relevancia de que, de la misma manera que fuimos los que tuvimos la capacidad de poner en marcha el proyecto, tenemos que tener más voz para participar en su reforma.

Estoy muy contento de estar en esta Conferencia. Sin embargo, creo que para el éxito de la misma hace falta que haya una participación en pie de igualdad entre los ciudadanos, la sociedad civil y los representantes de las instituciones. Creo que hay que mejorar esta situación. No me parece oportuno que solamente presidan las comisiones los representantes de las instituciones, salvo una. No me parece oportuno que haya diferente tiempo para participar aquí. No me parece oportuno que no estemos en el Comité Ejecutivo.

Creo que hay que mejorar para tener una participación igualitaria, en pie de igualdad.

1-093-0000 Monika Vana, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Europäisches Parlament. – Frau Präsidentin! Die Konferenz zur Zukunft Europas startet im richtigen Moment. Corona und Brexit zeigen uns den 19-06-2021 64

Mehrwert der Europäischen Union und die Dringlichkeit von tiefen ökologischen, sozialen und demokratischen Reformen. Jetzt gilt es endlich, die Bürger und Bürgerinnen zu Wort kommen zu lassen – die Jugend, die Frauen, die Arbeitnehmer und Arbeitnehmerinnen.

In welche Richtung soll sich die EU entwickeln – Klima, Soziales, Rechtsstaatlichkeit? Wir sind an einer Kreuzung angekommen, denke ich. Wollen wir zurück in ein nationales und teilweise erschreckend antiliberales Europa der Vergangenheit oder weiter in Richtung einer echten Klima- und Sozialunion mit starken Grundrechten, Rechten der Bürgerinnen und Bürger, der Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer, einer Union der aktiven Friedenspolitik und der Menschenrechte?

Ich denke, es braucht mehr Europa, aber auch ein anderes Europa. Und wir müssen und wir wollen das Momentum dieser Zukunftskonferenz gemeinsam mit der Zivilgesellschaft nutzen, um die EU sozialer, handlungsfähiger und geschlechtergerechter zu machen. Das ist unser gemeinsamer historischer Auftrag für die nächsten Monate. Und alle, die eine zukunftsgerichtete EU und keine Vergangenheitsunion wollen, werden in uns Grünen starke Verbündete finden.

1-094-0000 Boglárka Ballester-Bólya, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Hungary). – Honourable Conference members, Hungary is pleased that the Conference has finally begun.

After several crises in Europe, we believe that this is a timely exercise. In fact, Hungary already organised two Future of Europe international conferences last year, one with the participation of Commissioner Šuica, and our third event will be held on Monday.

To make Europe more resilient, we must avoid abstract ideological debates and focus on topics that are important to our citizens. The European Union has finally recognised the democratic potential of involving citizens more directly, and this pan-European dialogue could be a milestone in enhancing European democracy.

In a spirit of inclusion, we welcome that a majority express solidarity in recognising that our Western Balkan partners, participating in the accession process, should also play a key role in the Conference, as their involvement could inspire them to meet the conditions for accession.

We sadly note, however, that citizens are not involved in the first plenary, as was initially foreseen. We must remember that citizens remain at the heart of the Conference. To this end, working groups cannot in any way overtake the intended role of the plenary nor the citizens’ panels.

In addition, to ensure the legitimacy of the Conference, transparency must be a key element, and principles of the European Union, enshrined in the Treaties must be fully applied. The interinstitutional balance, as well as equality between Member State, must prevail. And respecting the principle of subsidiarity, and the role of National Parliaments will be also vital.

We expect all institutions and Conference bodies to warrant that the Conference will not be hijacked by any political agenda, ideology or institution. With this in mind, we surely hope that the Conference is a chance to rediscover the spirit of European cooperation, based on mutual respect and common sense. Thank you very much.

1-095-0000 Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Lithuania). – Greetings from Lithuania, from our Parliament, and I’m indeed the happy to see you all in this special hall and on the screens from all around Europe.

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No doubt that we all care about European Union, and my country, I have to stress that we have never lived so well in the past many decades. And despite imperfections, or different kind of challenges, that is for sure that we are on the right path. The undemocratic regime in Belarus is a constant reminder where we could be, and where we are.

I hear we have to involve citizens to talk to them and to discuss with them – as if we don’t do that. I think that all politicians hear their supporters and their voters, and the biggest challenge, I think, is how to find common ground. And maybe this structure, this format is a possibility to discuss these things: how to find common solutions.

The most important thing is how to cultivate respect to each other, no matter differences, from all over the Europe, and maybe for those who are not in Europe yet. So thank you very much, and good luck for us.

1-096-0000 Valerio Di Bella, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, citoyens. – Madame la Présidente, je voudrais d’abord tous vous remercier de me laisser la chance de m’exprimer ici en tant que citoyen français tiré au sort.

Il existe énormément de sujets importants dont je ne pourrai pas parler, tels que l’écologie, la discrimination, la santé. Il est évident que certains citoyens, politiciens, ou même pays, ne sont et ne seront pas d’accord avec certains principes européens sur ces sujets. À mon sens, uniquement les punir et espérer qu’ils changent ne peut pas suffire. Il faut certes les aider à évoluer, mais surtout évoluer avec eux.

Selon moi, pour avoir un avenir lumineux pour l’Europe, il faut que tous les pays évoluent ensemble sans laisser personne sur le côté.

1-097-0000 Mara Bizzotto, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, Parlamento europeo. – Questa Europa va cambiata da cima a fondo! Non ci sono alternative: o si cambia o l'Europa è destinata a morire.

In questa Conferenza dobbiamo avere il coraggio e la lungimiranza di rivoluzionare questo modello di Europa. Basta con l'Europa schiava delle banche e delle multinazionali, basta con l'Europa dei burocrati, delle lobby e della finanza. I nostri cittadini non hanno bisogno di più Europa ma di un'Europa completamente nuova, capace di vincere le sfide della modernità.

L'Europa che noi vogliamo e che dobbiamo costruire insieme è l'Europa dei popoli, dei cittadini, della sovranità popolare. L'Europa che vogliamo costruire insieme deve difendere le nostre imprese e i nostri lavoratori; sconfiggere il terrorismo islamico; fermare l'immigrazione clandestina. L'Europa del futuro dovrà essere orgogliosa delle sue radici giudaico-cristiane. L'Europa del futuro dovrà essere coraggiosa per difendere insieme agli alleati americani la nostra libertà e la nostra democrazia di fronte alle minacce della dittatura comunista cinese.

Cari colleghi, come diceva Churchill: "Chi vive nella libertà ha un buon motivo per vivere, combattere e morire". Sul valore sacro della libertà è stata fondata l'Europa e la libertà sarà il faro della rivoluzione democratica che noi porteremo avanti, a testa alta e con la forza di chi rappresenta veramente la volontà dei nostri popoli.

1-098-0000 Μαριέττα Γιαννάκου, Μέλος της ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης, Εθνικό Κοινοβούλιο (Ελλάδα). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, σας μιλώ εκ μέρους του Ελληνικού Κοινοβουλίου. Σε λιγότερο από έναν χρόνο καλούμαστε να εκπονήσουν συγκεκριμένες προτάσεις για μια μελλοντική Ευρώπη, ελκυστική για τους πολίτες της.

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Στα σημαντικά θέματα τα οποία θα τεθούν, θεωρώ πως η διάσκεψη θα πρέπει να εξετάσει, μεταξύ άλλων: πρώτον, την αναθεώρηση της ευρωπαϊκής διακυβέρνησης, δεύτερον τη διαμόρφωση ενιαίας ταυτότητας της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης στην εξωτερική πολιτική και την πολιτική ασφάλειας και άμυνας, και τρίτον να αναδείξει τις κοινές ευρωπαϊκές πολιτιστικές αξίες που αποτελούν, άλλωστε, και την ιδεολογική ρίζα της ενωμένης Ευρώπης.

Η διάσκεψη μάς δίνει την ευκαιρία να δημιουργήσουμε νέα ορόσημα για την ευρωπαϊκή ενοποίηση που θα διασφαλίσουν ένα καλύτερο μέλλον για τους ευρωπαϊκούς λαούς. Η συμμετοχή των Ευρωπαίων σε αυτή, και ιδιαίτερα των νέων, θα αποτελέσει υπόδειγμα διαδικασίας προς ενίσχυση της αντιπροσωπευτικής δημοκρατίας, η οποία άλλωστε έχει ως πυλώνες τα εθνικά κοινοβούλια. Σκοπός όλων μας πρέπει να είναι στη μετά την πανδημία περίοδο οι Ευρωπαίοι πολίτες να αντιληφθούν ξανά την αξία της ενωμένης Ευρώπης.

1-099-0000 Martin Mrša, član plenarne sjednice Konferencije, Građani. – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, srdačan pozdrav svima. Veliko mi je zadovoljstvo sudjelovati na događanju ovakve vrste. Želim naglasiti da sam, između ostaloga, član radne skupine Konferencije o budućnosti Europe, koju je osnovala Vlada Republike Hrvatske. Isto tako sam član i osnivač Udruge mladih iz Šibenika, koja će organizirati tribinu te okrugli stol pod nazivom Mladi kreatori budućnosti, te će biti provedeno istraživanje o stavovima građana o budućnosti Europe u sklopu projekta EU za nas.

Cilj navedenih aktivnosti je informirati i aktivno uključiti građane u Konferenciju o budućnosti Europe. Kroz dosadašnje aktivnosti naše organizacije i kroz iznesena mišljenja tijekom događanja za građane u Lisabonu, došli smo do zaključaka da građanima moramo još više približiti rad, vrijednosti i komunikaciju tijela Europske unije. Pred cjelokupnom Europskom unijom mnogobrojni su izazovi, ali zajedničkim snagama možemo kreirati bolje sutra za sve zemlje članice i, ono što je najvažnije, građane cjelokupne Europske unije.

1-100-0000 Carlo Fidanza, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, Parlamento europeo. –Presidente, riformare l'Unione europea è certamente una sfida appassionante, che nasce evidentemente da un'autocritica, dalla constatazione del fatto che l'Unione che abbiamo adesso non funziona o almeno non funziona come dovrebbe, non funziona a sufficienza.

Ora, però, se vogliamo che la democrazia e la partecipazione tanto declamate in questi giorni non si riducano a un fatto puramente formale è necessario che questa Conferenza non abbia un esito preconfezionato, che non sia soltanto la passerella retorica di chi crede che l'unico futuro per l'Europa sia quello di una sempre maggiore cessione di sovranità dagli Stati nazionali a Bruxelles.

Ci sono certamente materie sulle quali l'Europa può e deve fare un passo avanti e deve rappresentare davvero un valore aggiunto. Ma ce ne sono tante altre su cui l'Unione può e deve fare un passo indietro, nel nome di quella sussidiarietà sancita solennemente dai trattati e che già oggi viene emessa troppo spesso in discussione.

Non quindi un generico "più Europa" e un'Europa che deve fare sempre di più ma un'Europa che deve fare sempre meno e deve fare meglio.

1-101-0000 Jeppe Kofod, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Denmark). – (inaudible) for European cooperation. On the climate, we want the EU to become a climate union. On foreign policy, we want the EU to become an even stronger global voice for and defender of European values, democracy and human rights. We also want to strengthen the fight against social dumping and tax avoidance, just to name a few priorities. This is all possible under the current framework.

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To succeed, we need political will, and to ensure a real and substantial debate, we need everyone to participate, especially those who do not usually engage in the EU debates. I really hope young people will make their voices heard. Ultimately, the conference is about their future. We cannot forget that.

I would also like to make a strong point on what we should not do if we want to strengthen support for our vital European cooperation. We must not allow the conference to be overshadowed by discussions on institutional questions and treaty change. This is not what the Europeans want from us. It will only alienate many Europeans from the Conference. I’m convinced that citizens want us to focus on delivering real political results, results that make their daily lives better and improve our European democracy, especially through more transparency and closer involvement of national parliaments. Together with 11 other Member States, Denmark has made this very clear before the Conference and will continue to do this. This is how we build a bright, strong, lasting future for our European cooperation.

Thank you so much.

1-102-0000 Matteo Luigi Bianchi, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, parlamenti nazionali (Italia). – Signora Presidente, colleghi, abbiamo di fronte una grande opportunità, quella di disegnare le prospettive dell'Europa post-COVID.

Sono entusiasta di questa possibilità e dobbiamo tutti cogliere il piglio costituente che dovremo far uscire dal nostro dibattito: un'assemblea che, pur facendo emergere sensibilità differenti, deve portare a una sintesi concreta, senza darsi limiti a priori e cercando di valorizzare il principio cardine del trattato di Lisbona, cioè la sussidiarietà.

Il coinvolgimento dei parlamenti nazionali e delle autonomie locali regionali tramite il Comitato delle Regioni è qualcosa di fondamentale per avvicinare i cittadini tramite le Istituzioni direttamente elette e da loro più vicine. Risulta molto importante non disperdere il contributo della piattaforma bottom-up ma serve soprattutto trasparenza nelle decisioni e condivisione attraverso un'operatività adeguata dei gruppi di lavoro.

L'Europa è una grande opportunità ma solo se è inclusiva e rispettosa delle differenze dei popoli che la compongono e la stessa deve essere consapevole delle sue tradizioni millenarie comuni che hanno espresso forti elementi valoriali.

Nei momenti di difficoltà ci si deve stringere intorno alla bandiera ma per farlo dobbiamo essere capaci di far sì che la bandiera europea non si sovrapponga a un'ideologia politica che rappresenta solo una parte di europei, come purtroppo è percepito oggi.

Abbiamo un nobile e difficile compito e non dobbiamo sottrarci alle nostre responsabilità per una nuova Europa che ci chiedono i cittadini.

1-103-0000 Paola Severino, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, Cittadini. – Buongiorno a tutti, sono onorata di avere l'opportunità in questa prestigiosa sede di portare il punto di vista dei cittadini del mio Paese sulle prospettive future dell'Unione europea.

L'Italia è tra i Paesi fondatori dell'Unione e il nostro senso di appartenenza europea è saldamente radicato. Per vocazione e anche per la posizione al centro del Mediterraneo, da sempre l'Italia promuove e fa propri i valori di solidarietà, inclusione e unione nella diversità, che sono alla base del progetto europeo. 19-06-2021 68

Tuttavia, è indubbio che oggi l'Europa si trovi ad attraversare un momento particolarmente difficile e delicato della sua storia: la crisi pandemica ha accentuato vecchie problematiche e ne ha portato alla ribalta di nuove, rendendo indifferibile la necessità di agire per cambiare le cose.

La Conferenza è un evento dedicato ad ascoltare i cittadini europei per renderli protagonisti di questo processo rinnovatore e la plenaria è l'organo che dovrà essere in grado di tradurre in realtà questa idea. I cittadini dovranno far sentire la propria voce e le Istituzioni europee dovranno essere disponibili ad ascoltarla.

L'auspicio è dunque di essere tutti all'altezza di questa occasione e di mantenere fermi tutti i nostri propositi.

1-104-0000 Dorien Rookmaker, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Europe is the oldest democratic continent in the world, and that is what makes it special.

The EU is just an instrument – an instrument for European nations to work together to make life better for all. It makes me proud and humble when I think of this big responsibility. People expect results. This doesn’t mean a new set of rules and regulations.

On the contrary, this Conference will be a success if it can work as a catalyst for better democratic processes. Europeans will be directly involved in policy debates, and I’m a strong supporter of that. This may lead to structural involvement of citizens in policy-making: concrete results that benefit all.

This Conference is an opportunity to listen to diverse ideas with an open mind and without preconceived expectations. We need representative conclusions – this will bring the EU and its citizens together. Thank you.

1-105-0000 Kornelios Korneliou, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Cyprus). – We welcome this first plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe, a unique and a timely conference.

An innovative (inaudible) pan-European and bottom-up exercise of participatory democracy, focused on citizens with the aim of enabling our citizens, especially the youth, to express their views, their concerns, their expectations, but also their vision on Europe.

Cyprus has supported the launch of this Conference from the beginning, and we appreciate its importance in addressing especially the gap between the decision-making process at European level and the European citizens, as well as in deepening the European edifice.

Especially in the light of the crisis caused by the pandemic, we emphasise the young generation’s concerns, but also the impact of this pandemic on our economy and our societies. We hope that the Conference will implement and materialise our collective targets on the basis of a broad and open-ended process offering a new vision to the citizens of the European Union. Thank you, Madam President.

1-106-0000 Vita Anda Tērauda, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Latvia). – Dear colleagues, we all have expectations of a future for Europe: secure, climate-friendly, globally- competitive; a Europe that has overcome inequalities and a Europe that gains strength from diversity but remains fully committed, both in Europe and in individual Member States, to a strong core of common democratic values and rule of law. 19-06-2021 69

Our conference has been designed as a process for listening. We are actively encouraging citizens to come and talk about their visions for the future. But I fear that listening alone will not lead to a successful outcome. It is our responsibility here in this plenary session (not this particular session but in the plenary of the Conference) to respond to what we hear from citizens and to translate that into actionable change. For a successful Conference I expect to have a result: a roadmap for change in Europe, a roadmap that has been built on consensus among the European institutions, national parliaments, social partners and citizens. I have a hope that we will all leave at the end of the year with a will to enact these changes. I invite all citizens to be bold in their visions, and I invite all of us to be brave enough to enact whatever comes out of those visions. Thank you.

1-107-0000 Αντώνης Κουρράς, Μέλος της ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης, Πολίτες. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, σήμερα εκπροσωπώ τους πολίτες της Κύπρου, και όχι της Ελλάδας, και είναι πράγματι πολύ σημαντικό ότι η διάσκεψη δίνει την ευκαιρία σε όλους τους Ευρωπαίους πολίτες να εκφράσουν τις ανησυχίες και τις απόψεις τους και να καταθέσουν τις ιδέες διαμορφώνοντας έτσι το μέλλον της Ευρώπης.

Εμείς, ως μέλη αυτής της ολομέλειας, πρέπει να διασφαλίσουμε ότι θα ακουστούν οι απόψεις όλων των Ευρωπαίων πολιτών και ιδιαίτερα των νέων ανθρώπων και των μειονοτήτων. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση απέδειξε ότι είναι ένα επιτυχημένο project συνεργασίας, ειρήνης, αλληλεγγύης, ισότητας, ελευθερίας, ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων.

Ωστόσο, υπάρχουν περιθώρια βελτίωσης και είναι τώρα η ώρα που όλοι εμείς θα πρέπει να βρούμε τρόπους να ενδυναμώσουμε αυτές τις αξίες, κάνοντας έτσι ακόμα πιο ισχυρή την ευρωπαϊκή μας οικογένεια.

1-108-0000 Roberta Metsola, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Ladies and gentlemen, our European project is unfinished. The financial, political, environmental, social and health storms we have weathered together have led to painful lessons that we must learn.

In this process, we must be honest about Europe, honest about our failings and the frustrations of our processes, but we must also be honest about our successes. And we have had a few. Europe is peace. It is clean air and clean seas. It is justice and rule of law. It is rights, equality and opportunity. It is vaccines and ventilators. It is jobs and dignity. This is the bigger picture, and we can never lose sight of it.

But we can also be more. The weight of the world’s democratic order now rests more heavily on our shoulders and we need the tools to be able to carry it. And that means embracing change. We can lead on digitalisation and new tech. We can create the framework that our businesses need. We can reinforce the social pillar and ensure equal opportunity. And we can do that and respect the diversity that makes the European Union so unique. This is our time of opportunity. Let us think of what can be rather than what is.

Thank you.

1-109-0000 Thomas Byrne, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Ireland). – Good morning – good afternoon in Strasbourg. I’m very happy to be here virtually in Strasbourg, the heart of European democracy. The former MEP and Irish hero John Hume said that he was inspired for the Irish Peace Process by reflections and meditations – meditations was the word he used – that he did in Strasbourg, particularly on the bridge between Strasbourg and Kehl. According to him, Europe was the greatest example of conflict resolution, and he used that example in Ireland. Alas, because of Brexit, John Hume’s constituency is no longer in the European Union. Because of that and 19-06-2021 70 because of all of the other challenges that we face, it is timely now that we’re coming together at this time. There are differences between us, but we can celebrate that diversity. And fundamentally, our common values bring us forward together: democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

So let's go forward together with our citizens so that we can have economic improvements, social progress, and work on the challenges facing our planet and the rest of the world. So it’s time to reflect on our successes – and they have been many – consider any failures, but look forward positively together to plan for the future. Thank you.

1-110-0000 Yves Cruchten, membre de l'assemblée plénière de la conférence, parlements nationaux (Luxembourg). – Madame la Présidente, Mesdames et Messieurs, chers amis, c’est avec une grande impatience que nous avons attendu le lancement de la conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe, et aujourd’hui se présente à nous l’occasion unique d’approfondir nos liens dans l’Union européenne, mais également les liens entre et avec nos citoyens.

La conférence nous permet de tenir la promesse faite à nos citoyens sur un échange plus régulier, plus intense, en ce qui concerne leur avenir, mais aussi notre destin commun dans l’Union européenne. En ces temps compliqués, cet exercice est d’autant plus important, et nous n’avons pas le droit d’échouer ou de décevoir les citoyens et citoyennes européens.

C’est pourquoi je plaide pour que nous prenions le temps nécessaire pour bien faire, même s’il faut pour cela dépasser le calendrier initialement fixé. Saisissons cette chance pour avancer dans la construction d’une Europe de paix, de prospérité et de justice sociale.

Je vous souhaite, je nous souhaite à tous une bonne conférence avec, je l’espère, des résultats concrets et tangibles.

1-111-0000 Kristīne Zonberga, konferences plenārsēdes dalībniece, pilsoņi. – Labdien! Viens no konferences vēlamajiem rezultātiem ir tuvināt Eiropas Savienības institūcijas Eiropas iedzīvotājiem, kas ir viens no šī brīža izaicinājumiem. Tāpēc ir svarīgi dot ne tikai tiesības, bet arī iespējas izteikties un tikt sadzirdētam ikvienam iedzīvotājam neatkarīgi no viņa sociālās grupas tam ērtā un pieejamā formātā.

Tāpēc aicinu papildus digitālajai platformai un iedzīvotāju paneļiem paredzēt arī plašas obligātas iedzīvotāju diskusijas, lai mazinātu plaisu starp iedzīvotājiem un institūcijām, lai arī sasniegtu tādas sabiedrības grupas, kas ir eiroskeptiķi, kas nav aktīvi līdzdalības procesos, un tādas, kas nav un nebūs digitālas, tādējādi meklējot arī risinājumus nevienlīdzības mazināšanai, kam būtu jābūt vienai no Eiropas Savienības prioritātēm.

Ne mazāk svarīgi ir atbalstīt pilsoņu pārstāvju centienus izveidot reprezentatīvus un iekļaujošus mehānismus, izveidojot koordinācijas grupas nacionālā un Eiropas līmenī sadarbībā ar citām organizācijām un iestādēm. Lai mums kopīgi izdodas radīt Eiropas nākotni labāku visiem tās iedzīvotājiem! Paldies!

1-112-0000 Brando Benifei, membro della sessione plenaria della conferenza, Parlamento europeo. – Signora Presidente, quante volte i nostri cittadini ci hanno chiesto "dov'è l'Europa, perché non sta intervenendo come dovrebbe"?

È vero, l'integrazione europea è la storia di grandissime conquiste comuni: la pace, il mercato unico, la cittadinanza europea, i progetti per la coesione, la transizione ecologica e digitale e 19-06-2021 71 moltissimo altro. Ma di fronte alla pandemia l'assenza di una vera unione sanitaria ha pesato molto.

E pensiamo alla politica estera, ai diritti fondamentali, alla politica sociale e fiscale: se ascolteremo davvero i cittadini – non per finta! – la maggioranza di loro nella maggioranza dei Paesi ci dirà per l'ennesima volta di finirla con i veti. Con il fatto che lasciamo fare a Orbán tutto quello che gli pare, in spregio al diritto europeo, e che serve una fiscalità giusta e un bilancio federale, con risorse proprie, per far ripartire la crescita e combattere le disuguaglianze intollerabili che gravano sul nostro continente.

Serve una nuova sovranità comune, la Conferenza deve aprire la strada per un percorso costituente e per nuovi trattati: è una grande occasione che non permetteremo a nessuno di far andare sprecata. Lo dico con le parole di Altiero Spinelli, a 80 anni dal Manifesto di Ventotene: "La via da percorrere non è facile né sicura, ma deve essere percorsa e lo sarà".

1-113-0000 Arnoldas Pranckevičius, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Lithuania). – Dear colleagues, congratulations on the start of this Conference on the Future of Europe. Lithuania looks forward to being an active and enthusiastic contributor to it.

We might have different views on the expectations and purpose of this Conference, but I hope that many of us agree on what it should not be. It should not be top-down – it should be bottom-up, and giving a voice to the citizens, who usually don’t speak. It should not predetermine the outcome, but be open-minded, and it should not be about the past, but about the future.

Therefore, it’s so important to involve young people. I’m proud that the Lithuanian Youth Council has already presented a resolution on the future of Europe, and shared its vision.

It is also my hope that this Conference achieves at least three things.

First, that it makes Europe stronger, not weaker. Hence the importance of the word ‘resilience’, whether in terms of security, green and digital transition, or, indeed, stronger social fabric.

Secondly, that it makes Europe more democratic. Not only the inside of Europe stronger – upholding rule of law and human rights – but also externally – holding the flag of democracy higher in the face of the challenge of authoritarianism, whether in Moscow, Beijing, or Minsk.

Third, that it makes Europe more inclusive, not exclusive. As we speak about the future of Europe, we should not forget about the fate of the Western Balkans, of the Eastern Partnership, and of the Southern Neighbourhood.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jean Monnet once said that ‘Europe is born in crisis’. With this Conference, let’s make sure that he was indeed right. Thank you.

1-114-0000 Bastiaan Van Apeldoorn, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Netherlands). – Dear Chair, dear delegates, the Dutch Parliament welcomes this conference as a chance for the voices of EU citizens to be heard and to listen to their worries, concerns and hopes.

In my country, another Member State, there is a wide variety of opinions about the European project, ranging from those that think that it is a failed top-down and undemocratic project, to those who dream of a truly federal Europe. For this conference to be a success, it is important that 19-06-2021 72 there is a genuine dialogue with citizens and that their diverse ideas are being heard and listened to, so that it becomes a real bottom-up and not a top-down public relations exercise.

It is key, in our opinion, that also outside this conference, in all Member States, we try to stimulate a lively, broad public debate on Europe’s future and the various plans discussed here.

Finally, as regards the possible outcome of our proceedings, I would like to point out that a large majority of the Dutch House of Representatives and with wide support in the Senate, we would not want to exclude the possibility of a treaty change if that were (inaudible) serve the interests about the future of Europe.

1-115-0000 Justinas Kulys, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Distinguished Europeans, I am Justinas Kulys, policy analyst at the Lithuanian Think-Tank on International Affairs, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, proudly representing Lithuania today.

Despite the European Union bringing us together closer than ever, Europe is also faced with great divisions nowadays. What is most troubling is that during this time, when dialogue is a must, we are increasingly isolated in our social, ideological and various other bubbles. The only way to heal Europe’s wounds and work to prevent the emergence of new things is earnest dialogue between all the stakeholders of the European project – all of Europe’s citizens. Even if we may find it difficult to accept their perspectives, unity and democracy emerge out of lengthy and sometimes even painful debate and arguments, not from blind consent. Thus, my wish for this conference is to call for earnest dialogue – lasting dialogue – which would engage, seek to convince and seek to bring peoples together through sincerity, goodwill and the sense that we are all working towards the betterment of the great project that is Europe. Thank you.

1-116-0000 Dita Charanzová, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, a lot has been already said, but I think the key message is: let’s open up the Brussels bubble. This is really a historic moment, a unique chance to start the new European project, to start it from the bottom up. And this has never happened before. But first of all, we need to reach out to our citizens. We need to better communicate, show that every single voice counts and that the issues that matter to the citizens are being actually put on the table. And let’s be clear: this process is not about just talking, discussing, producing papers. This process is about delivering, it’s about making a real change. So that’s how this conference will be judged at the end. Thank you.

1-117-0000 Ľudovít Goga, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Slovakia). – Dear colleagues, thank you for the floor. I am glad that we have met here at this occasion, as I firmly believe it is important for Slovakia to be a part of the EU and therefore to be included in the political decision- making in our European space. Nonetheless, having been in close contact with our citizens, I have been often confronted with the general opinion that the European project should be a project of cooperation between sovereign nation states and not of states serving supranational bodies. Based on that, I can state that there is an interest to perform an audit and consecutive reconstruction of the Union’s functioning, even if it means a revision of the founding treaties in place.

The Conference on the Future of Europe has a potential to be a platform where this could be done from the bottom up. It is the citizens that give us our mandate, and they should have the main say on the direction of the European Union. Therefore, I hope that the COFI will be conducted in such a spirit that all views will be accepted, especially those that are uncomfortable to listen to. Thank you very much. 19-06-2021 73

1-118-0000 Iness Chakir, membre de l’assemblée plénière de la conférence, citoyens. – Madame la Présidente, je suis citoyenne du Grand-Duché du Luxembourg et je vous remercie pour l’invitation et l’excellente initiative.

J’aime l’Union européenne. J’y suis née et je crois en ce projet, mais l’élargissement de l’UE, le changement climatique et autres mettent l’Union face à un bon nombre de défis qui, pour certains, sont urgents et incontournables. J’aimerais revenir sur la migration. Aujourd’hui, des centaines, voire des milliers de migrants meurent en traversant les frontières de l’Europe de manière clandestine, et ce, parce que les États membres de l’Union européenne n’arrivent pas à trouver une entente commune en ce qui concerne la politique et la collaboration sur les questions migratoires. Malheureusement, nous manquons de temps. L’Union européenne manque de temps mais ne peut pas se permettre d’attendre, alors que chaque jour, des gens mettent leur vie en danger avec l’espoir d’une vie meilleure. De plus, dans la décennie à venir, d’autres défis migratoires vont s’y ajouter, à savoir la migration suite au changement climatique.

L’Union européenne doit reprendre les discussions sur les quotas européens d’accueil et ce, en se basant sur la population, la situation économique et les capacités des infrastructures de chaque pays de l’Union. Et, à défaut d’entente commune, il faudrait recourir temporairement au mécanisme de coopération renforcée et encourager d’autres chefs d’États à y adhérer, car le temps presse.

Je vais me battre pour l’Union et j’espère sincèrement que cette conférence aura une conclusion positive et fera avancer les choses, afin de rendre à l’UE que j’aime sa gloire ainsi que sa légitimité et que cette conférence ne tombe pas dans l’oubli.

1-119-0000 Claudia Dörr-Voß, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Rat (Deutschland). – Frau Präsidentin! Ich spreche auch im Namen meines Kollegen Michael Roth. Die COVID-Pandemie hat uns in der Tat im letzten Jahr vor enorme Herausforderungen gestellt, aber nach intensiver Krisenbewältigung geht es nun langsam in die Erholung, und wir gehen davon aus, dass Europa gestärkt aus der Pandemie hervorgeht. Aber gleichzeitig müssen wir uns natürlich auch für die nächsten Jahrzehnte besser aufstellen, und dazu brauchen wir frische Ideen – frische Ideen, zu denen wir alle Europäerinnen und Europäer herzlich einladen, uns diese Ideen zu bringen.

Aus unserer Sicht ist es eine der großen Aufgaben für die nächsten Jahre, Europas Souveränität zu stärken, und zwar im Sinne einer besseren Handlungsfähigkeit der EU nach innen und nach außen. Außerdem müssen wir den Zusammenhalt in der EU besser stärken, um in der Welt selbstbewusst auftreten zu können für unsere Werte und für unsere Interessen. Das sollten wir auf einer multilateralen Ebene tun.

Wenn wir hier in Europa versuchen, die Menschen in ganz Europa zu erreichen, dann müssen alle mithelfen – das haben schon viele meiner Vorredner gesagt: die Regierungen, die Parlamente, die EU-Institutionen, die Regionen, die Gemeinden, die Zivilgesellschaft, und natürlich brauchen wir insbesondere das Engagement der Europäerinnen und Europäer in der Vielfalt.

Wir sollten die Ideen nicht einengen. Wir sollten intensiv debattieren und am Ende der Debatte sehen, wie wir entscheiden, in welcher Form wir die Ergebnisse umsetzen können. Lassen Sie uns ehrgeizig herangehen!

1-120-0000 Jordi Solé, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Now that this conference is finally starting – and thanks to all those that have been working hard for this to happen – we have 19-06-2021 74 a good opportunity to shape the European Union that we want to have for the next decades. This doesn’t happen every day, so we simply cannot miss this opportunity.

This remarkable participatory exercise, from the digital platform to the citizens’ panels and this plenary, all has to be useful. We have to deliver. Besides holding interesting debates and listening to each other, we must come up with concrete proposals for reform. And if implementing some of our proposals means changing the Treaties, why not? So be it. The institutions must be open and receptive to this possibility. Otherwise, instead of creating momentum for change, we will create frustration, and I believe we’ve had enough of that.

I hope that our debates and proposals will help to build a stronger, more ambitious, more democratic and integrated union, a Europe fit to react more efficiently to the many challenges of the present and the future moving forward, along with social justice and sustainability, a Europe that reflects and celebrates its enormous diversity.

For Europe is not just an addition of Member States. It is much more than that. It is citizens, peoples, languages, regions, stateless nations, municipalities and multiple identities, including the European one. In this diversity lies our strength, in this diversity and in our commitment to uphold whatever it takes in a much more consistent way than we do now, and in every corner of the Union, fundamental rights, democratic values and people’s legitimate right to democratic self- determination.

Let’s build a Europe for everyone and for all peoples.

1-121-0000 Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, konferences plenārsēdes dalībniece, Padome (Latvija). – Godātie Eiropas nākotnes konferences dalībnieki! Eiropas Savienība no drosmīgas idejas ir kļuvusi par realitāti un apliecinājumu eiropiešu spējai sastrādāties, lai dzīvotu labākā, drošākā un pārtikušākā pasaulē. Mūsu uzdevums ir ne tikai rūpēties par Eiropas Savienību šodien, bet arī darīt visu iespējamo, lai tā kļūtu spēcīgāka.

Lai konference sasniegtu tās mērķi, ir jāieklausās eiropiešos. Pilsoņiem ir jābūt konferences centrā, un rezultātam jāatspoguļo dažādās Eiropas pilsoņu gaidas un idejas. Ir patiesi žēl, ka pirmā plenārsēde notiek bez astoņdesmit Eiropas pilsoņu paneļa pārstāvju dalības. Konferences uzdevums ir iesaistīt un sadzirdēt pilsoņu bažas un priekšlikumus.

Īpaši svarīgs ir Eiropas jauniešu viedoklis. Šodienas jaunieši būs tie, kas vadīs Eiropu, ko veidojam šobrīd. Godātie kolēģi, Eiropas Savienības pamati ir stabili, tos nav nepieciešams mainīt. Sagaidu, ka konferences rezultāti dos impulsu un paudīs apņēmību aktīvai rīcībai, lai paveiktu darbus, kas ir svarīgi mūsu pilsoņiem.

Konferencei ir jākļūst par vietu, kur kopīgais mērķis stāv augstāk par šaurām interesēm. Šī nav vieta, kur sacensties par ietekmi, bet gan forums, kur vēlreiz apliecināt Eiropas vienotību. Es aicinu darboties kopīgi, lai stiprinātu mūsu savienību. Paldies!

1-122-0000 Riina Sikkut, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Estonia). – Dear colleagues, today we have heard repeatedly about the need to hear the voice of the people and listen to the citizens. The Conference is not just an exercise of inclusion or lesson of listening or demonstration of democracy, but it is actually essential to take everyone along when we want substantial change to be possible – that the European Commission can set objectives of carbon neutrality or digital transformation but cannot achieve the objectives by itself. We really need the citizens to understand, share and work towards achieving them. So the Conference will be successful if we 19-06-2021 75 are able to create this shared view on the way forward. And the focus of the debates should be on values, on policy choices, but not so much on the institutional setup. And we should use the potential of the existing Treaties to tackle the challenges that we face. Good luck to all of us. It is our responsibility to make the Conference meaningful.

1-123-0000 Kinga Joó, a konferencia plenáris ülésének tagja, polgárok. – Jó napot kívánok! Sok szeretettel köszöntök én is mindenkit. Civil szervezeti háttérrel érkeztem ide, többek közt a legnagyobb magyar családszervezet képviseletében, így talán nem meglepő, ha először is arra szeretném felhívni a figyelmet, hogy a konferenciának a civil panelek és rajtuk keresztül a polgárok meghallgatása és véleményük becsatornázása az egyik hangsúlyos feladata. Másodszor szeretnénk egy tematikai javaslattal is élni: a demográfiai kihívások nem szerepelnek a konferencia fő témái között. Ezt aggasztónak tartjuk, mivel egy közösség, esetünkben az Európai Unió túlélésének záloga a népessége. A demográfia továbbá nem egyszerűen egy mennyiségi kérdés, hanem az emberi élet minőségéről is szól, ezért szeretnénk ha az Európa jövőjéről szóló diskurzus a családokra is támaszkodna és róluk is szólna, hogy megkapják azt a figyelmet és támogatást, ami a legfiatalabb generáció, vagyis a gyerekek vállalásához és felneveléséhez kell. Köszönöm szépen a figyelmet.

1-124-0000 Μιλτιάδης Βαρβιτσιώτης, Μέλος της ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης, Συμβούλιο (Ελλάδα). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, επιτέλους ξεκινήσαμε· και ξεκινήσαμε τη Διάσκεψη για το μέλλον της Ευρώπης μετά από καθυστερήσεις — αλλά δικαιολογημένες μπορώ να πω — γιατί έναν χρόνο τώρα παλεύουμε με μία πολύ μεγάλη κρίση, και αυτή η κρίση μας έχει οδηγήσει σε ορισμένα συμπεράσματα.

Γιατί για να αντιμετωπίσουμε αυτή την κρίση και να την αντιμετωπίσουμε αποτελεσματικά, τόσο υγειονομικά αλλά ακόμα περισσότερο οικονομικά, αυτό το οποίο κάναμε είναι να αξιοποιήσουμε τα εργαλεία που έχουμε στη διάθεσή μας και να εφαρμόσουμε μια αρχή· την αρχή ότι χρειαζόμαστε περισσότερη Ευρώπη. Αυτός είναι ο δρόμος με τον οποίο πρέπει να πορευτούμε στο μέλλον για να κερδίσουμε την εμπιστοσύνη των πολιτών μας.

Σε κάθε κρίση, οι λύσεις δεν μπορούν να έλθουν πλέον σε εθνικό επίπεδο, αλλά πρέπει να έρθουν σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο και για αυτό χρειαζόμαστε περισσότερη Ευρώπη για όλες τις επόμενες μεγάλες προκλήσεις. Την πρόκληση της κοινής αγοράς και της ενίσχυσής της, την πρόκληση του κοινού μας νομίσματος, τη διεύρυνση προς τα Δυτικά Βαλκάνια — που είναι η μόνη γειτονιά της Ευρώπης που έχει μείνει εκτός —, το πρόβλημα της μετανάστευσης, στην κοινωνική Ευρώπη. Σε όλα αυτά χρειαζόμαστε περισσότερη Ευρώπη· περισσότερη Ευρώπη στις εξωτερικές σχέσεις, περισσότερη Ευρώπη στο κράτος δικαίου.

Στην Ελλάδα, είμαστε έτοιμοι να διοργανώσουμε μια διάσκεψη με μεγάλη συμμετοχή των περιφερειών, των πανεπιστημίων, των νέων ανθρώπων και όλης της κοινωνίας, και θα χρειαστούμε και τη δική σας συμμετοχή και βοήθεια για να κινητοποιήσουμε πολύ περισσότερους πολίτες.

1-125-0000 Gunnar Beck, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – The Conference on the Future of Europe, we are told, will give citizens a chance to influence the EU’s direction. This would be an excellent idea. In reality this Conference appears stage managed and its outcome predetermined. The EU has asked trusted bodies to select the citizens for all panels and plenary discussions, which will affirm ideas suggested by opinion-formers and NGOs. Finally, an unelected executive board will adopt recommendations calling for more EU powers over tax, health, social policy and migration.

Dear fellow citizens, please consider three things. First, which countries are better off – those in or outside the eurozone? Second, is it those countries that are part of the common migration policy, 19-06-2021 76 or those, like Denmark, which are not? And third, who – apart from Brazil – has managed the Covid crisis worse than the EU, which is suffering more deaths per person per million than India, Russia, China and all of Asia and Africa? Please consider: are we better off with more or less EU, more or less unskilled migration, and more EU centralisation or more national self-government? Thank you.

1-126-0000 Jean-Louis Thill, membre de l’assemblée plénière de la conférence, Conseil (Luxembourg). – Madame la Présidente, chers membres de l’assemblée plénière, c’est un grand plaisir d’être parmi vous pour cet important événement démocratique et de pouvoir vous adresser ce message, également au nom du ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes, Jean Asselborn, qui regrette de ne pas avoir pu assister à l’intégralité de cette session.

Nous apportons notre plein soutien à l’intervention de la présidence portugaise du Conseil et la remercions pour tous ses efforts dans la préparation de cet événement.

Alors que notre quotidien a été fortement impacté par la pandémie, il est nécessaire que nous œuvrions tous ensemble pour améliorer notre Union. Pour ce faire, le Luxembourg souhaite avant toute chose que nous nous mettions à l’écoute des citoyens. Cela a été dit par d’autres, ce sont eux qui doivent être au cœur de cette conférence et nous espérons vivement que nous serons au grand complet lors de la plénière en octobre. Nous pensons particulièrement aux citoyens issus des bassins de vie transfrontaliers – à peu près 30 % de la population en Europe est concernée –, car ils ont subi de plein fouet l’impact de la fermeture des frontières et des contrôles. Il nous semble important que la vulnérabilité de ces communautés soit mieux prise en compte dans l’élaboration de nos politiques, afin d’éviter que de telles situations puissent se reproduire.

Le Luxembourg apporte son plein soutien à la conférence. L’avenir est entre vos mains, pour une Europe ouverte, solidaire et outillée pour saisir les opportunités et pour affronter les défis actuels.

1-127-0000 Christian Buchmann, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Nationale Parlamente (Österreich). – Frau Präsidentin, Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Alle Untersuchungen zeigen, dass die Bürgerinnen und Bürger zu jenen Gebietskörperschaften das größte Vertrauen haben, die nah am Menschen sind und die Lebenswirklichkeiten kennen. Das sind unsere Gemeinden, das sind unsere Städte, das sind unsere Regionen.

Wenn das so ist und wenn wir wollen, dass diese Zukunftskonferenz erfolgreich wird, dann müssen wir auf der einen Seite die multi-level governance im Blick haben und auf der anderen Seite aber auch Subsidiarität und Proportionalität als eine Handlungsanleitung für den europäischen Rechtsetzungs- und Entscheidungsfindungsprozess akzeptieren.

Der österreichische Bundesrat hat sich ja mit diesen Fragen bereits sehr intensiv auseinandergesetzt. Wir haben in Vorbereitung der Zukunftskonferenz Europas bereits ein Jugend-Meeting abgehalten. Wir haben bereits eine Subsidiaritätskonferenz veranstaltet. Die Ergebnisse werden wir gerne auf die Plattform stellen, und auch alles das, was in den Panels diskutiert wird, aus dieser Sicht beleuchten. Wir freuen uns jedenfalls auf die Debatte.

1-128-0000 Mandy Falzon, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Good afternoon, colleagues. I am the national representative from Malta for the Conference, and I feel that this conference is really a unique opportunity to reach out to citizens, particularly those that usually feel a bit disengaged when we hear anything about the EU. At Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta, we are an agency that really strives to bring the EU closer to citizens, and we will cooperate closely with civil society organisations, social partners and other stakeholders, including the European Parliament 19-06-2021 77 information office and also the European Commission representation, to organise debates, discussions and dialogue, to engage citizens from all walks of life – children, young people and the elderly. Together, we want to ensure that this initiative is not another passive listening exercise, but one in which every citizen feels that they have a voice in shaping the future of Europe.

1-129-0000 Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento Europeo. – Señora presidenta, me sorprende la falta de confianza de las propias instituciones europeas en ellas mismas. Los Parlamentos ya somos representantes legítimos de los ciudadanos, que participan activamente con su voto. Sin embargo, aquí se quiere dar poder a asambleas elegidas arbitrariamente.

En esta sesión se ha dicho: «hoy comenzamos nuestro futuro común», olvidándose de siglos de historia y acuerdos. Hablan de cambios, pero ya predispuestos en una línea que impone un pensamiento único, el que solo se está escuchando hoy sin dejar espacio a quienes queremos enriquecer con otras visiones. Realmente no hay debate. Es inaceptable.

Quienes nos proponen despreciar nuestro pasado y solo mirar al futuro pretenden vaciarnos, desarraigarnos, atraparnos en sus propuestas para someternos a sus planes. La democracia no está siendo representada. No está siendo respetada en esta Conferencia. Valoremos nuestra historia y la riqueza espiritual y humana que fundó el proyecto europeo.

1-130-0000 Tomáš Kozák, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Slovakia). –Madam Chair, thanks for the possibility to participate, for the Council and Slovakia.

I just would like to make two points. In the next months, we will be talking a lot about the future. In our view we need to keep in mind that we have a lot of unfinished business in the EU, and this exercise in no way should derail us from completion of the single market, the eurozone, and finding common solutions on the migration file as well.

The second point, Madam Chair, is the external dimension. We think that European neighbours ought to be associated in this exercise – be it our partners in the European Economic Area, or the candidate countries in the Western Balkans or in the Eastern Partnership. We’ve established a robust structure of Conference of Europe, and we need to find workable ways to include them. Because their future is our future as well, and this, Madam Chair, should not be perceived as it is, but as an opportunity for us and a partnership as well. Thank you.

1-131-0000 Eva Maria Holzleitner, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Austria). – I’m grateful to be part of this huge participation process to create an even better and stronger European Union. The EU already made things easier in the (inaudible) generation: study abroad with Erasmus+, travel without roaming or a visa, work in different countries. But during the last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, our togetherness was threatened by acting in nationalistic terms and egoism. We saw that tackling problems together isn’t something we can take for granted, so we have to work hard to develop our European Union into something that stands for a union of social justice and equality, for our progressive future and chances for all of its citizens and people living here. A European Union that stands for unity and solidarity. It’s important that this conference works out concrete reforms and describes the next steps. I’m willing to work hard on this and I’m sure a lot of people here will do the same. I’m looking forward to a fruitful process. 19-06-2021 78

1-132-0000 Leverne Nijman, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Hello, my name is Leverne, and I’m the Dutch citizens representative.

The Conference on the Future of Europe is the conference on the future of you, the conference on the future of all of us. This is the time to hear from all the people in the European Union.

In order for this Conference to work, get concrete results, and to really work on a meaningful outcome, we have to be ambitious. The goal should be that more than 400 million citizens should be heard – the people who follow the rules, travel, consume, work, and so much more, under European regulation, all without knowing where this impact on their daily lives is decided upon.

As a starting point for the event, which has already been mentioned by a lot of people, people first need to know about the pure existence of the Conference. If not, this massive project is doomed to fail.

I therefore want to urge you all – European Institutions and Member States – to invest in visibility, invest in communication and awareness, in order to create a diverse and inclusive future from and for all of us, not only the usual suspects. Thank you very much.

1-133-0000 Esteban González Pons, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento Europeo. – Señora presidenta, América no va a celebrar una Conferencia sobre el Futuro de los Estados Unidos; tampoco ninguno de nuestros países miembros sobre su propio futuro.

¿Por qué una Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa? Porque la Unión Europea es un proyecto no terminado; porque los enemigos de la paz —el nacionalismo y el populismo— han regresado; y porque nuestro Estado de Derecho, nuestro estado social y nuestra democracia, sin la Unión Europea, sufrirán en la globalización. También nuestra industria. Ninguno de nuestros países irá a Marte o a las estrellas que vengan después si no viajamos juntos.

Celebramos esta Conferencia porque la Unión Europea —como la paz— es la única alternativa para el futuro. Queridos colegas, seamos, por lo tanto, creativos y, en contra de nuestra costumbre, decepcionemos a los escépticos y decepcionemos a la historia.

1-134-0000 Carmelo Abela, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Malta). – Good afternoon.

In Malta, our citizens might perhaps find it easier to feel part of a community, yet each citizen has his or her individual aspirations for the quality of life they want today and tomorrow. Being part of a community means that every individual has a sense of belonging to something bigger, which is why we feel we belong to a much wider European community, with whom we share common values, concerns and aspirations.

We are conscious that this European project is not something which should be taken for granted or a model that fits all. Just as our forefathers had the vision to foresee a common European project with common values, we should be inspired by that same vigour to work towards a European community which takes into account the different realities and reflects citizens’ aspirations.

That is why I believe that this conference should result in a truly effective exercise which implements citizens’ real concerns and aspirations, that guarantees a better quality of life for all and a true sense of belonging to the European project. In a nutshell, a people-centred approach, 19-06-2021 79 where institutions are seen as closer to our citizens, and I believe that in this way, we can guarantee a future for Europe.

1-135-0000 Radu-Mihai Mihail, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Romania). – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to underline the important potential contribution to the Conference of a special group that has an advanced experience with the European project, who encountered problems but also benefited from its rights and facilities, who experienced Europe from a different perspective.

And by different perspectives, I mean the millions of mobile citizens who live and work outside their home countries, seasonal or long-term workers in agriculture, tourism or personal services, corporate and entrepreneur expatriates, retirees, students. They have already done a lot for European unity, comparing and influencing the services that they receive from the Member States and from the EU.

I strongly urge all of you to make sure that the messages from these four runners are clearly heard and thoroughly considered. Thank you.

1-136-0000 Valentina Gutkas, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – I’m honoured to be here today, and I really appreciate that the focus of the Conference on the Future of Europe also lies on us young people.

Austria has already held several events focusing on young people in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe. In my case, I contributed to a video challenge organised by the Federal Council of Austria. In it, young people had the opportunity to upload a video explaining their wishes, ideas and fears regarding the future of Europe. The creators of the best contributions were invited to participate in an event in the Austrian Parliament, where we had the chance to discuss the future of Europe with the Minister for the EU, Karoline Edtstadler, the Permanent Representative of the European Commission in Austria, and with members of the Federal Council of Austria.

As I grew up in the countryside, agriculture is a big concern for me. In Austria, our agricultural sector is aware of the possibility of a climate-neutral future and wants to be a pioneer with organic farming and a climate-neutral agricultural sector. We want to be a role model for other European countries to tackle big challenges and climate change.

Together with young people all over Europe, we can build a renewed Europe that will face the big challenges of our time and that secures the great quality of life in Europe and our core values for the next generations.

1-137-0000 Pedro Silva Pereira, membro do plenário da Conferênci, Parlamento Europeu. – Senhora Presidente, não foi fácil chegar a esta primeira sessão plenária da Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa e quero, por isso, apresentar os meus agradecimentos ao magnífico trabalho da Presidência portuguesa e agradecer também o compromisso das várias Instituições Europeias na organização desta Conferência.

A mensagem principal que deve sair daqui hoje é um forte apelo à efetiva participação dos cidadãos neste debate sobre o Futuro da Europa, o que só pode ter sucesso com uma garantia: a de que as opiniões dos cidadãos serão levadas a sério. A União Europeia existe para os cidadãos e o futuro da Europa deve ser construído com os cidadãos numa Europa mais viva, mais democrática, mais participada. 19-06-2021 80

Depois de duas crises devastadoras, a melhor resposta ao crescimento do nacionalismo populista e eurocético, que ameaça hoje a construção europeia, é promover um grande movimento de reencontro do projeto europeu com as expetativas dos cidadãos e construir, com resultados concretos, uma Europa mais justa, mais solidária, mais democrática e mais forte.

1-138-0000 Karoline Edtstadler, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Austria). – Madam Chair, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot afford to waste any more time. It was a long way to get this plenary session, especially for the Portuguese Presidency, so congratulations and thank you, Ana Paula.

Now it is time to start the process with the citizens, which I did in Austria already last year, in June. From my experience, I can tell you that people do have a lot of concrete ideas, also concerns, but first and foremost, they want to be included. It’s important that we have agreed on an open mandate, for which I was advocating from the first moment in the council. But it is even more important to meet the expectations we created and to fulfil the promises we made. This is the message I got from people in Austria when I travelled to all regions, discussing with citizens, especially young people, politicians and expert stakeholders and entrepreneurs. I will continue to do so, and I will continue to motivate colleagues, mayors, civilian students, teachers, to name only a few, to organise discussions in order to get concrete results.

The main topics of concern are the climate and biodiversity, migration, democracy and institutions in Europe. Another challenge is the medical, social and economic impact and consequences of the pandemic, and in this regard, the rebuilding of our economy on ecological foundations.

Last but not least, let me also mention the Western Balkan countries. Only yesterday, we had a summit in Vienna with all six countries from the Western Balkans, and I can tell you that there is a lot of frustration that they are not formally included in the Conference on the Future of Europe. They want to participate in Conference on the Future of Europe because they want to become part of the future of the European Union. I urgently ask for a solution and the concrete inclusion of the Western Balkan countries.

I hope that this conference will bring concrete results and make a real change. The challenges of today and of the future are too big to be solved by a single Member State. It’s not possible to tackle them alone. Only together we are strong.

1-139-0000 IN THE CHAIR: GUY VERHOFSTADT Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament

1-140-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – The Western Balkans will be included in our exercise so we can already respond to that.

1-141-0000 Rozália-Ibolya Biró, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Romania). – On behalf of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, I welcome the start of the Conference on the Future of Europe, and the strength and importance of this both for strengthening the European Union’s resilience and for shaping the Union of the future, in which every citizen feels at home.

We believe that the debate must focus on the direct contribution of the citizens. The EU now needs a strengthened sense of solidarity and citizenship in the construction of Europe, and we can 19-06-2021 81 achieve these goals if citizens are fully involved in the debate and their opinions are reflected in our national and European Parliament, Commission and EU Council decisions.

We hope and believe that the Conference will be the most efficient framework to address horizontal issues of interest to citizens. We have to focus on hearing the voices of national parliaments and the voices of all European citizens, inside and outside of the EU, in all their diversity.

1-142-0000 Илхан Кючюк, член на пленарната асамблея на Конференцията, Европейски парламент. – Господин Председател, благодарение на големите идеи на хора като Шуман ние осъзнаваме, че различията са нашето богатство. От континент с разрушени и опустошени граници, Европа се превърна във фактор, който създава световните стандарти по демокрация, върховенство на закона, човешките права и свободи. Ако обаче оставим за момент носталгията по историческите достижения и се обърнем към днешните предизвикателства и бъдещето на Европейския съюз, ще видим, че светът е по-различен. Ние не живеем в 20-и век, ние живеем в 21-ви век, и очакванията към Европейския съюз са много по-големи, защото самите предизвикателства са много по- комплексни. Всички кризи, включително и последната, която още не е отминала, ни показват две неща: необходимостта от бързи решения и второто, също толкова необходимо, вземане на решение, което да направи Европейския съюз глобален играч. И в този смисъл се поставя фронталния въпрос: може ли Европейският съюз да бъде геополитически фактор. Моят отговор е „не“ при това състояние, преди да се превърне в политически такъв. Идеята за геополитически съюз може да се превърне в химера. И големият въпрос на тази конференция е може ли да потърсим новия raison d'êtrе на самия Европейски съюз. Да, ние трябва да слушаме гражданите и техният глас трябва да бъде чут. Това е много вярно, но в същото време ние сме хората, които трябва да вземем важните решения за Европейския съюз. Тази конференция не е за днешния съюз, тя е за бъдещия. Младите хора трябва да играят ключова роля в него. Беше казано, че трябва да видим страните от Западните Балкани като интегрална част от Европейския съюз. Затова тяхното включване е от изключително значение.

1-143-0000 Iulia Matei, membră a sesiunii plenare a Conferinței, Consiliu (România). – (începutul intervenției nu a fost făcut la microfon) ... procesul de reflecție la care ne-am angajat cu toții va trebui să conducă la o ...(conexiunea a fost întreruptă) ... care, cetățenii europeni, inclusiv cei români, au așteptări ridicate. De aceea, acest proces va trebui să fie, în primul rând, unul pragmatic, orientat spre rezultate concrete, în beneficiul lor. Valoarea adăugată a acestui proces derivă tocmai din faptul că este axat pe contribuția cetățenilor și, mai ales, a tinerilor europeni, cei care vor duce proiectul european mai departe.

Cât mai mulți cetățeni europeni trebuie să aibă cunoștință de acest dialog direct despre viitor. Comunicarea este un ingredient esențial pentru succesul conferinței. Fiecare dintre noi este un vector de promovare a conferinței și de încurajare a celorlalți să participe cât mai activ. La finalul acestui proces va fi datoria noastră comună să propunem cele mai bune soluții consensuale, care vor face Uniunea mai bine pregătită pentru lumea de mâine.

Dorim ca la finele acestei conferințe să vedem un set de propuneri concrete, care să valorifice lecțiile din criza recentă. Sunt multe domenii în care putem face mai mult. De exemplu, să consolidăm sistemele de sănătate, să eliminăm barierele în funcționarea pieței interne, să ne pregătim pentru economia viitorului.

De asemenea, să nu uităm de întărirea parteneriatelor cu actori cu care împărtășim valorile comune UE, de procesul de extindere, de consolidarea relației cu Uniunii cu Balcanii de Vest, de 19-06-2021 82 vecinii noștri estici și sudici. Sperăm ca anul viitor concluziile conferinței să poată confirma voința noastră comună de a avansa proiectul european în spiritul unității, solidarității și coeziunii.

1-144-0000 Eveliina Heinäluoma, konferenssin täysistunnon jäsen, kansalliset parlamentit (Suomi). – Arvoisa puheenjohtaja, tulevaisuuskonferenssi on hieno mahdollisuus Euroopalle, näin näen myös Suomen eduskunnan jäsenenä. Konferenssin on oltava avoin ihmisten ideoille. On kuunneltava kansalaisia sekä kaikkia jäsenmaita. Pieniä jäsenmaita ei saa unohtaa.

Tänä päivänä Euroopan unionia tulee kehittää vaikuttavampaan suuntaan. Jotta EU:lla olisi vahvempi painoarvo myös kansainvälisissä pöydissä, tulee unionin poliittista päätöksentekokykyä vahvistaa.

Samalla haluan pitää kunniassa EU:n läheisyysperiaatteen. Jäsenmailta siirretään unionille sellaisia asioita, joissa yhteinen päätöksentekokyky tuo todellista lisäarvoa. Tällaisia yhteisiä asioita ovat jatkossakin kauppapolitiikka, ilmastonmuutostyö, sisämarkkinoiden pelisäännöt sekä yhteinen rahapolitiikka.

Pidetään huolta, että kaikkien muiden tärkeiden asioiden joukossa unioni säilyttää alkuperäisen rauhan takaamisen tehtävänsä. Vain rauhan vaalimisen kautta Eurooppamme voi rakentua myös vapauden, vaurauden, tasa-arvon ja hyvinvoinnin maanosana.

1-145-0000 Regina Bastos, membro do plenário da Conferência, Cidadãos pela Europa. – Senhor Presidente, hoje é um dia especial para a União Europeia. Somos os copresidentes e os cocidadãos na pessoa da Senhora Secretária de Estado, Ana Paula Zacarias, tão entusiasta desta Conferência.

O encontro Lisbon Citizens Event de há dois dias adotou uma palavra para definir a União: esperança. Uma mensagem forte e responsabilizante. Os cidadãos querem o que lhes foi prometido na declaração conjunta: que a sua voz seja ouvida. E até à próxima primavera devemos poder dizer, de forma fácil, livre e transparente, o que queremos que a Europa seja na próxima década ou décadas. Temos um espaço democrático de debate, e temos quem se comprometeu a ouvir e a atuar.

Mas o sucesso desta conferência passa por não haver o aprisionamento pelos detentores dos lugares políticos. Por isso, o compromisso que em Portugal nós adotamos é envolver a sociedade civil, os jovens, empregadores, trabalhadores, organizações próximas dos cidadãos, atraindo-os para os eventos nacionais e regionais. No final deste exercício deverá sê-lo ainda mais um projeto europeu exemplar nos valores e propósitos desta Conferência.

Esperemos que, no final, a voz dos cidadãos seja ouvida efetivamente.

1-146-0000 Ангел Джамбазки, член на пленарната асамблея на Конференцията, Европейски парламент. – Господин Председател, без съмнение тази конференция за бъдещето на Европа е изключително важно събитие, което ще определи посоката на развитието на Европейския съюз занапред. Чухме мнението на много неправителствени организации, (неразбираема дума), част от тях маскирани като граждани, които настояват за повече (неразбираема дума), за повече от същото, повече Брюксел, за повече бюрокрация. Видяхме провала на тази политика по времето на кризата с нелегалните мигранти, видяхме ги по времето на атентатите в цяла Европа. Видяхме, как се провалиха в началото на здравната криза, видяхме как се провалиха по време на въпроса с ваксинацията. Всички тези провали показват, че повече от това, което ни предлагат всъщност е вредно и не трябва да се случва. Зад гърба ми виждате портрета на велик български революционер, Гоце Делчев. Той е казал „аз виждам света единство като поле за културно съревнование на 19-06-2021 83

народите“. Затова културните различия и особености на държавите трябва да бъдат оценявани, трябва да бъдат уважавани. Бъдещето на Европа е традиционното християнско семейство. Бъдещето на Европа е в суверенните държави. Бъдещето на Европа е в защитата на националните суверенитети. И понеже стана дума Западните Балкани и няколко пъти се чу, че те трябва да бъдат присъединени. Да, трябва. Когато правителството на Република Северна Македония престане да нарушава човешките права, когато престане да злоупотребява с история, когато започне да изпълнява договорите. Договорите трябва да се спазват. Успех на конференцията, ще я следя с интерес.

1-147-0000 Vesa Vuorenkoski, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Finland). – Dear Co-Chairs, colleagues, fellow EU citizens, I am delighted to address the Conference and to be part of this process.

Finland is a longstanding supporter of participatory democracy. We would like to see us all using this Conference as an opportunity for genuine interaction with the citizens. Decentralised events across Member States are key in bringing these discussions close to the citizens and truly hearing them.

We need to give a voice to as many citizens as possible from different backgrounds, regardless of their ability or willingness to use digital means – the young, the elderly. We also need to ensure that their feedback is properly channelled into the EU-level discussions. The digital platform is, of course, a useful new opening. However, it’s not sufficient in itself.

As to the substance, we need to ensure a comprehensive approach. Most importantly, I would like to underline that the rule of law, democracy, fundamental rights, equality, are the cornerstones of all EU access. Security is another example of an area that should be addressed holistically, taking into account both internal and external aspects.

We are not yet convinced as to whether the working group structure proposed by the co-chairs serves these aims. Further discussion on the proposal is still needed, also within the Council. Citizens must be at the heart of the Conference.

The Union can only be as strong as the mandate it has been given by the citizens. The process needs to be transparent to all. There shouldn’t be any hidden agendas as to its outcome.

1-148-0000 Domagoj Hajduković, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Croatia). – It’s the Croatian parliament, actually, but I have some Hungarian roots, so I don't mind! Dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, inclusiveness or rather inclusive, open, far-reaching, all encompassing: these are the adjectives that I would use to describe our European project.

But the European project is not complete, as some colleagues have already underlined. Why? Because if you ask me how I see the future of Europe, the first thing that springs to my mind is the Union that encompasses the entire continent. And this is still not the case. The European project will be over when our Union spans from Skopje to Helsinki, from Tirana to Porto. Then the project will be complete territorial-wise. And that is why I am a bit disappointed that our citizens to be – those that are in the so-called waiting room of the Union – are not better included in this Conference. I think their voices should be heard. And this is a way that we could have set a new positive standard, as the Union always did. Only then, I think, will we be complete and then we can talk about the future of Europe. Thank you. 19-06-2021 84

1-149-0000 Alina Bârgăoanu, membră a sesiunii plenare a Conferinței, cetățean. – Domnule președinte, stimați membri ai plenarei, dragi cetățeni europeni, doamnelor și domnilor, este o onoare pentru mine să vă adresez câteva cuvinte astăzi. În primul rând, Conferința privind viitorul Europei reprezintă șansa unui nou început pentru Uniunea Europeană.

Consider că pentru a valorifica această șansă, este important ca opiniile cetățenilor să fie ascultate, să fie luate în calcul în mod real pentru modelarea Agendei europene, dar fără a minimaliza în vreun fel opinia de tip expert, cunoașterea de tip expert.

În al doilea rând, aș spune că lecția principală a pandemiei este aceea că solidaritatea, acțiunea comună și interesele împărtășite reprezintă valori cheie ale Uniunii Europene, valori ale Uniunii Europene care poate fi rezilientă, atât pe plan intern, cât și pe plan extern.

În al treilea rând, aș spune că ceea ce facem noi astăzi, aici, este important pentru Uniunea Europeană, este important pentru fiecare cetățean, dar cred că este important pentru lumea întreagă, pentru toți cei care își leagă speranțele de experimentul unic pe care îl reprezintă Uniunea Europeană în ceea ce privește guvernanța transnațională.

1-150-0000 Danuta Maria Hübner, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Dear friends, this conference is an unprecedented public dialogue process, where we all focus on the potential outcome of the Conference. Important as it is, I think there is real value added in the process itself because I think it can create a feeling of joint ownership of Europe.

We are, as the European Union, a well-established democracy, but now this democracy has a chance to be enriched by means of a refreshing element of participatory democracy. Citizens will take stock of what we have done for their security, for their prosperity and the quality of their lives, but also will look together with us toward the future. The success of this joint undertaking will depend on citizens’ interest in the future of Europe, but also on their trust in sharing their worries and their hopes with us politicians and institutions at all levels of European governance.

I’m also confident that there are ways to get citizens on board for the second phase, when we will be implementing the recommendations, in particular when it comes to such challenges as the climate or democracy itself. So I would like to encourage all of us to be humble in listening to each other and truly bold in implementing what we arrive at, in the spirit of participation.

1-151-0000 Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, članica plenarne sjednice Konferencije, Vijeće (Hrvatska). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, srdačan pozdrav svima iz Zagreba. Veliko mi je zadovoljstvo biti danas s vama. Posebno mi je drago što hrvatske građanke i građani imaju priliku izravno sudjelovati u ovom procesu u svjetlu osme obljetnice našeg članstva u Uniji. Njihova očekivanja prenio nam je predstavnik udruge koja promiče aktivan angažman mladih u Europskoj uniji, koji nam se pridružio iz starog Krešimirova grada, Šibenika, koji je prvi grad u svijetu koji je još u 19. stoljeću dobio javnu rasvjetu i to iz zelene hidroelektrane.

Ovo je pravi trenutak za otvoreni dijalog u budućnosti, u svjetlu aktualnih izazova i svijeta koji se ubrzano mijenja. Krizne situacije su šanse za novi početak, što je upravo naslov jedne od prvih rasprava u Hrvatskoj u sklopu Konferencije; promicati ulogu udruga i građana u promišljanju budućnosti. Događaj je organizirao Vladin Ured za udruge čija je ravnateljica također danas s nama.

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Ishod tog, i niza drugih događaja koje planiramo u Hrvatskoj, podijelit ćemo s vama na digitalnoj platformi. Ovdje želim zahvaliti Europskoj komisiji, a posebice potpredsjednici Dubravki Šuici na uspostavi platforme kao mjesta izravne komunikacije s građanima iz cijele Unije. Svrha ove Konferencije nije još jedna interna debata čelnika i EU-institucija. Stoga pozivam sve građane iz Hrvatske i iz cijele Unije da budu aktivni u radu Konferencije kako bismo zajedno gradili dugoročno održivu budućnost Europe i jačali demokraciju i blagostanje Unije.

Puno pozdrava iz Hrvatske!

1-152-0000 Bruno Dias, membro do plenário da Conferência, Parlamentos Nacionais (Portugal). – Senhor Presidente, a voz dos cidadãos não é uma entidade abstrata, nem uma figura mitológica que possa ser encontrada em plataformas ou painéis aleatórios, encomendados a agências de comunicação e de sondagens. Há muitos anos que essa voz se faz ouvir nas empresas e locais de trabalho, nas escolas, nos bairros, mas tem sido sistematicamente ignorada e desrespeitada por uma União Europeia onde sempre falam mais alto os interesses dos grandes grupos económicos e das grandes potências.

É essa a raiz do problema: um projeto neoliberal de dominação que defraudou as aspirações dos trabalhadores e dos povos, que deu campo a projetos fascizantes, e que agora procura uma espécie de transfusão de democracia cooptando figurantes diversos para um guião que se negoceia.

Experimentem perguntar aos jovens sobre as propinas ou a precariedade. Perguntem aos profissionais de saúde sobre as restrições orçamentais, aos trabalhadores ferroviários sobre a liberalização do setor, aos pequenos agricultores e pescadores sobre as políticas comuns. Mas não contem connosco para farsas de debate e falsos dilemas, entre ficar tudo na mesma com retoques cosméticos ou impor novos saltos no aprofundamento da exploração, dominação e desigualdade. Porque a União Europeia não é reformável. Porque os seus Tratados devem ser revogados. E porque os povos da Europa têm o direito de construir um futuro de desenvolvimento, justiça, cooperação e paz.

1-153-0000 Mark Pleško, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Hello. I come from a small village in Slovenia, just a stone’s throw away from Trieste in Italy. A little more than 100 years ago, there were deadly battles in World War One and trenches dug just ten kilometres from here, where I live. In the Second World War, houses in our village and in neighbouring ones were burned and children were shot. Then a border was erected, which Churchill called the Iron Curtain, just two kilometres from my house. As the European Union, we have overcome all of this.

Fellow Europeans, you are here to make Europe better. You complain about all the problems, and rightly so. Just please remember, these problems are a small price to pay for what Europe has achieved and given to our citizens. Open borders, freedom, peace and friendship among peoples and nations. Let’s cherish that as long as we can. May it give us strength to persevere. Thank you very much.

1-154-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – Thank you, Mr Pleško, for reminding us of all this. I give the floor to Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament.

1-155-0000 Katarina Barley, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Today is a good day for Europe and it’s a good day for Europeans. We’re starting a historic dialogue, or maybe we should say a ‘multilogue’. Today is our first day. 19-06-2021 86

We have come together, we people who are mostly involved with politics on a professional or everyday basis, be it as members of parliaments, mayors or representatives for institutions or associations. This is already very good: we have different perspectives. But what makes it really special is to include citizens.

We have two tasks. First of all, we have to involve people who are not involved with politics on an everyday basis, so young people, migrants, people with disabilities, poor people – all of them. We have to select and we really have to hear them. Secondly, we have to reflect on how we do that. We are not even complete yet, and we will talk today for probably six hours. That is exhausting. These people are not used to listening in different languages with interpretation. So I think we really also have to reflect on how we discuss, because I want us to listen also to the very last of the citizens that we involve, so that we really get good results.

1-156-0000 Sigrid Kaag, lid van de plenaire vergadering van de conferentie, Raad (Nederland). – Voorzitter, wij verwelkomen deze conferentie als een geweldig moment om de toekomst van Europa weer te bespreken. Het is een kans om te horen wat de burgers overal in Europa willen en te kijken wat de prioriteiten voor de toekomst moeten zijn. Wat ons betreft, moet het gaan over een Europese Unie die moet leveren wat burgers nodig hebben. Net op dat vlak willen we ophalen. De conferentie moet open en inclusief zijn. Het is ook heel belangrijk dat wij allen, en dus ook de Nederlandse regering, aan outreach doen om ervoor te zorgen dat ook de stemmen worden meegenomen die we minder vaak horen of minder op ons netvlies zien.

Ik wil ook refereren aan de uitspraak van mijn collega Jeppe Kofod. Het gaat ons natuurlijk ook om meer transparantie: transparantie over de ambities, over het proces hoe die bereikt kunnen worden en uiteindelijk over de resultaten. Die kunnen op hun beurt op alle niveaus binnen de Unie verhelderend werken over wat we anders moeten doen om niet alleen de besluiten, maar ook het besluitvormingsproces inzichtelijk te maken voor alles en iedereen. Want we doen dit voor alle burgers van de Europese Unie. Niet iedereen begrijpt alles altijd op hetzelfde moment. Er is een verscheidenheid aan meningen. De verwachtingen kunnen hooggespannen zijn. En tegelijkertijd is het een plicht om te verbeteren, te versterken en ook alle geluiden mee te nemen om het beste te doen.

1-157-0000 Birgit Honé, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Nationale Parlamente (Deutschland). – Herr Präsident! Inmitten der Herausforderungen durch die Pandemie und die Transformation der Gesellschaft kommt die Konferenz zur Zukunft Europas zum genau richtigen Zeitpunkt, um mit den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern in Dialog zu treten. Wir haben die große Chance, das Bewusstsein dafür zu stärken, dass die Herausforderungen nur gemeinsam in einer starken Union zu lösen sind.

Aber mit der Ausrichtung der Konferenz tragen wir eine große Verantwortung. Unsere Bürgerinnen und Bürger müssen sehen, dass ihre Argumente und Wünsche gehört werden und sie die EU aktiv mitgestalten können, auch wenn es im Ergebnis um institutionelle Veränderungen geht: eine Union, die mehr ist als nur ein Wirtschaftsraum, eine Union, die Identität stiftet, Grundrechte achtet und schützt und vor allem den sozialen Zusammenhalt stärkt, so wie es Luca Visentini vorhin so eindrucksvoll gefordert hat.

Dann – und nur dann – werden die Bürgerinnen und Bürger dieses einzigartige Projekt auch weiter unterstützen und erkennen, dass es zu einer gemeinsam getragenen Europäischen Union keine Alternative gibt. Dies sicherzustellen, ist vielleicht die wichtigste Aufgabe dieser und der nächsten Plenarversammlung. 19-06-2021 87

1-158-0000 Zuzana Hozlárová, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – Dear Co-Chairs, ladies and gentlemen, I believe it’s important to emphasise the need to raise awareness of this conference and the unique opportunity to express the concerns of European citizens, but I don’t want to lead a conversation just to lead a conversation. I want to have a discussion, to have real outcomes, and to see the results.

The European Union’s steps to humanise its process and to bring the European Union closer to its citizens is a long overdue initiative. I consider the dialogue – not only at European level, but also at national level – a crucial point, because this is the only way to truly involve the citizens of the European Union in its process. The European Union is here first and foremost to serve its citizens.

I’m positive that by implementing the output of this conference, the credibility of political promises will be restored. At this conference, we will work for an effective and regulatory European Union that offers real and practical solutions to the problems facing us. I believe that together, we will work for a clearer and more helpful Union which will be here for us Europeans.

1-159-0000 Dolors Montserrat, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento Europeo. – Señor presidente, queridos europeos, mucho se ha hablado sobre esta Conferencia. Todos tenemos grandes ideas y proyectos que queremos llevar a cabo.

Yo solo quiero mandar un mensaje: es nuestro turno. No permitamos que Europa se estanque, que pierda el horizonte, que desaproveche lo conseguido. Necesitamos poner a los ciudadanos en el centro, asumir nuestras responsabilidades y dar el empuje necesario en política exterior y seguridad, en política económica común y empleo, en salud y en la lucha contra el cambio climático, en la defensa de nuestras democracias liberales frente a los populismos, a los nacionalismos y a los euroescépticos.

No sé si esta Conferencia resultará en un cambio de los Tratados, pero no nos atasquemos en cuestiones de procedimientos. Lo que hace falta es voluntad política. Necesitamos que nuestros Gobiernos dejen atrás el proteccionismo, que dejen de mirarse el ombligo. Necesitamos que empujen el proyecto europeo hacia adelante desde todas y cada una de las capitales de Europa. Debemos movilizar a los Gobiernos para que miren a nuestro futuro. Y el futuro somos los ciudadanos.

1-160-0000 Tiago Antunes, membro do plenário da Conferência, Conselho (Portugal). – Senhor Presidente, há pouco mais de um mês, nesta mesma sala, no lançamento oficial desta mesma Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa, o Primeiro-Ministro de Portugal citou um dos grandes poetas europeus do séc. XVI, Luís de Camões, para explicar como a Europa é composta de mudança, tomando sempre novas qualidades.

Um outro poeta português, Fernando Pessoa, ou, neste caso, Álvaro de Campos, escreveu no início do séc. XX um poema sobre o futuro, justamente dizendo: “Sei que me espera qualquer coisa, mas não sei que coisa me espera”.

Ora é para responder, precisamente, a esta inquietação do poeta que aqui estamos hoje e estaremos ao longo dos próximos meses, aqui e em inúmeros eventos nacionais, espalhados pelos vários Estados-Membros, para debater que coisa podemos esperar da Europa.

Para alcançar uma União cada vez mais estreita entre os povos europeus, como dizem os Tratados, queremos ouvir os cidadãos. Conhecer os seus anseios, frustrações e expetativas. 19-06-2021 88

Mas, mais do que isso, queremos mesmo dar voz aos cidadãos. Queremos que nos digam o que esperam da Europa: no combate global às alterações climáticas; na resposta ao desafio da digitalização; que modelo social querem para a Europa, etc.

Esta deve ser uma Conferência dos cidadãos, pelos cidadãos e para os cidadãos. É nisso que Portugal está firmemente empenhado, agora na Presidência do Conselho, e em breve, enquanto Estado-Membro, realizando múltiplos eventos nacionais e até alguns transnacionais para discutir que coisa esperamos e que coisa nos espera na União Europeia.

1-161-0000 Hans Rothenberg, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Sweden). – Mr Chair, the Conference on the Future of Europe is designed to strengthen democracy in Europe and give citizens the opportunity to make their voices heard. The Conference should prioritise the following areas: a stronger Europe in the world; upholding the rule of law; common migration policy; internal security; a law (inaudible); environment and climate policy; and competitiveness.

The Conference also needs to take into account the roles of other organisations. The EU is and should remain the main area for joint European cooperation. But the roles of the other bodies of full cooperation must also be part of the organisation. It is simply difficult to create true representativeness in forums such as Citizens Dialogues when input is mostly determined by those who engage. The conclusions that emerge from the Conference must therefore be strictly consultative. Thank you.

1-162-0000 Ninni Norra, Member of the Conference Plenary, Citizens. – My European friends, there are numerous excellent reasons why we should be having this conference. The most important one, however, is the fact that, objectively speaking, the European Union, the very existence of it, is a good thing. This is not my opinion. This is not the unique experience of Finland. We have the statistics, we have the evidence and we have the history to remind us that all of this is worth it. No union can survive without the trust of its members, and that is why the people need to know. While I’m looking forward to the future and all of the ambitious projects it holds, let us remember that it is the past, our accomplishments, that give us a reason to reach for the stars.

1-163-0000 Domènec Ruiz Devesa, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento Europeo. – Señor presidente, colegas, todos los aquí congregados nos reunimos para desarrollar el primer Pleno de la Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa, justo en el año en el que se cumplen los ochenta años del Manifiesto de Ventotene, que era la propuesta por una Europa libre y unida. También, tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial ⸺se ha recordado⸺, se celebró el Congreso de La Haya, en 1948; y tras esta pandemia tenemos esta gran ocasión de avanzar en la integración europea.

¿Qué podemos esperar de este diálogo con la ciudadanía y con la sociedad civil? En mi opinión, tenemos que dar ese gran salto adelante. Necesitamos, por ejemplo, una nueva ley electoral que incluya la circunscripción electoral paneuropea, que haga verdadero el principio de elección del cabeza de lista para presidir la Comisión Europea.

Necesitamos también el pilar social. Lo han reclamado los representantes de los sindicatos europeos en el Tratado. Necesitamos también ⸺lo ha pedido González-Barba, del Gobierno español⸺ un estatuto que desarrolle la ciudadanía europea. En definitiva, necesitamos una Europa más social, más ecológica; una Europa federal.

Parafraseando lo que se dijera al momento de la Declaración de Schuman: necesitamos esfuerzos creadores a la altura de los retos a los que nos enfrentamos. 19-06-2021 89

1-164-0000 Lucía Muñoz Dalda, miembro del Pleno de la Conferencia, Parlamento nacional (España). – Señora presidenta, colegas, esta Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa ha empezado con mucho caos y poca transparencia, y eso nos preocupa, porque profundiza un déficit democrático que sería el momento de superar.

Es evidente que la Unión Europea necesita cambios profundos, y esos cambios profundos se lograrán con la participación de la gente en la definición de la Europa del futuro. Por eso, esa participación no puede ser sesgada ni depender solo de una plataforma digital a la que muchos ciudadanos no podrán acceder. La brecha digital divide y jerarquiza.

Nosotras nos comprometemos a traer a esta sesión plenaria la voz de las personas históricamente excluidas: las mujeres, los jóvenes, las personas migrantes, las trabajadoras precarias, las personas LGTBI, las víctimas del cambio climático. Porque queremos una transición ecológicamente justa que no se convierta en un nuevo nicho de mercado para las grandes empresas.

Europa tiene por delante el reto de desarrollar su pilar social, porque no hay derechos civiles ni Estado de Derecho sin políticas sociales y, además, tiene que dotar al Parlamento de mayores competencias. El Parlamento es el lugar de la gente, es su casa. Si se nos llena la boca con la ciudadanía, tomémonos en serio la labor parlamentaria. Menos jerarquía, menos burocracia, más horizontalidad democrática para Europa.

1-165-0000 Elsie Gisslegård, ledamot av konferensens plenarförsamling, medborgare. – Herr ordförande! Jag heter Elsie Gisslegård och jag representerar svenska medborgare i dag. Det är med glädje som jag ser hur unga har inkluderats i konferensen. Unga är med i demokratirörelserna som drar fram. Vi står längst fram i demonstrationerna för klimataktion, och vi frågar efter en sak: en värld som det går att leva i och som är rättvis. Det finns inget annat alternativ än att leverera på den här efterfrågan.

Den här konferensen har fantastiska möjligheter att leda till institutionell förändring, men vi kan inte tappa bort oss. Vi måste våga prata om sakfrågorna, om miljön och om rättsstaten och vi måste se att när vi är klara med den här konferensen så packar vi inte ihop och lägger det vi lärt oss på vinden. Vi måste använda de lärdomar som vi får från den här konferensen till att förbättra de befintliga mekanismer som finns för medborgarinflytande i unionen i dag. Att inkludera medborgare måste vara ett arbete som fortsätter framåt.

1-166-0000 Siegfried Mureşan, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Mr President, dear colleagues, Europeans, the European Union has faced three significant crises during the past ten years: the economic and financial crisis ten years ago; the migration and refugee crisis five years ago; and the COVID-19 pandemic now. None of these was created by the European Union. But during all of these three crises, the people of Europe expected the European Union to provide solutions and the European Union helped. Every country in difficulty was helped during the economic crisis. Many people were helped during the migration and refugee crisis and now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we bought vaccines together and we launched the biggest package of economic support ever launched by the European Union.

The objective of this Conference now is to listen to the people of Europe and hear what they expect the European Union to deliver in the next years, what are the areas in which we should provide solutions and we should equip the European Union with the tools it needs to overcome these crises. Let the dialogue start. Thank you very much. 19-06-2021 90

1-167-0000 Lukas Savickas, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Lithuania). – Dear colleagues, it is my honour to represent the Parliament of Lithuania and to discuss the inevitable changes and innovative solutions necessary

COVID-19 has made us all learn quickly, in an extremely fast-moving environment, and Europe demonstrated its ability to react quickly to the ever-changing circumstances and to ensure speedy implementation. It should use this conference as a platform to discuss necessary solutions to make sure Europe does not return to business as usual and comes out stronger, faster, more flexible and also capable of delivering on the needs of its citizens.

Lithuania remains a faithful supporter of the European Union. However, we also find the need for debates on the future of Europe obvious. Just as an illustration, half of the Lithuanian Parliament delegation in this conference was born in an independent Lithuania. This clearly indicates a fast and ongoing change of generations, their attitudes and their expectations of Europe. Therefore, Europe must reflect on these changes, and change as well.

1-168-0000 Victor Negrescu, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Dear colleagues, dear plenary members, we are finally here. We have a conference on the future of Europe, but this is only the starting point. We need to be bold. We need to build better for the future because people have high expectations from us and we need to deliver. We need a Europe that leaves no one behind, where all countries and all citizens feel that their voice is being heard. From Romania to Portugal, people of all ages, from different backgrounds we all must be united, feel European and act together. This is why I believe we need the European Union to have the competences to act more in terms of education, health care or social policies. We can do that only by reinforcing European democracy, and our Conference can be the starting point for that. People are not numbers. They are the soul and call of Europe. We need to listen to citizens, have an open debate, involve as many people as possible in the process that, in the end, delivers on those concrete results and on the changes that people expect us to make for Europe. We must be prepared for any outcome, meaning that we should also be prepared to change the treaties, if this were required. I stand for such a change that will reconnect Europe to citizens. Let us work together for that and revive the European movement. Thank you so much.

1-169-0000 Ioannis Bournous, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Greece). – Dear colleagues, the reason that we are here discussing the future of Europe is that a deep existential crisis plagues our union. The EU has failed its citizens in many ways, especially in handling the economic crisis of the past decade and in tolerating unacceptable levels of unemployment, economic decline and misery. It has failed them in managing migration and refugees in a just and equitable manner. Our union is marked by a deep-rooted lack of democratic accountability and transparency.

For this conference to be successful, it would need to listen to the people, to welcome criticism and innovative proposals. The EU has a troubling past of ignoring people when they contest initiatives and directives coming from above. We should realise and accept the urgency of deep changes to the way that the Union works and decides, and approach this conference with ambition. We have to commit ourselves to transforming grievances and proposals into deep institutional change. Our citizens will accept nothing less.

1-170-0000 Othmar Karas, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Europäisches Parlament. – Herr Präsident! Willkommen in der Kammer der Bürgerinnen und Bürger Europas, willkommen in Europa! Diese Konferenz ist kein Marketing-Gag, sie ist eine Premiere. Sie ist eine Notwendigkeit, wie die meisten 19-06-2021 91

Redner heute gesagt haben. Sie ist ein dynamischer Prozess, und sie ist eine Chance. Nutzen wir diese Chance!

Wir, die Bürgerinnen und Bürger Europas, können die Verantwortung über unsere gemeinsame Zukunft, die Zukunft Europas, nicht abschieben. Wir – jeder von uns – sollten sie selbst übernehmen. „Die Zukunft wird jenen gehören, die wieder Hoffnung signalisieren können“, hat Teilhard de Chardin einmal gesagt.

Wenn wir die Hoffnungen der Bürgerinnen und Bürger in die europäische Idee, in die liberale Demokratie, in das europäische Projekt erfüllen wollen, müssen wir demokratischer werden, handlungsfähiger werden, innovativer statt nationalpopulistischer, sozialer werden und Blockaden beseitigen, grüner, entschlossener, aufrichtiger, politischer, geeinter. Wir müssen mit den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern in Europa, die in Europa leben, einen neuen Vertrag für Europa erarbeiten und bei der ersten europaweiten Volksabstimmung – Mehrheit der Staaten, Mehrheit der Bürger – mit der nächsten Wahl zum Europäischen Parlament abstimmen.

Nehmen wir uns Robert Schuman und seine Rede vom 9. Mai 1950 zum Vorbild! Es gilt, die Ereignisse, die wir beschreiben, mit mehr Miteinander und einer neuen Solidarität zu beantworten.

1-171-0000 Radka Maxová, členka pléna konference, Evropský parlament. – Pane předsedající, drazí kolegové, je toho jen málo, co už moji předřečníci neřekli, ale ráda bych i já vyjádřila, proč si myslím, že je tato konference tak extrémně důležitá pro nás všechny.

Právě se snad pomalu dostáváme z jedné z nejhorších krizí, které tento kontinent a celou planetu na posledních několik let zasáhly. Pandemie ukázala, že ze dne na den se naše životy mohou změnit. Co nám ale také dala, je příležitost. Příležitost si opět sednout a vylepšit tento skvělý evropský projekt tak, aby Evropa byla místem, kde naše hodnoty rovnosti, důstojnosti a rozmanitosti nejsou jen hesla.

Věřím, že tato konference je skvělým místem, kde můžeme spojit síly jak politiků z různých institucí a států, tak i občanské společnosti, abychom společně zajistili, že naše Evropa bude místem pro všechny bez výjimky. Nyní pro nás nastal čas se zastavit a naslouchat všem, aby nikdo nezůstal opomenut. To očekávám od této konference. Spousty skvělých nápadů a návrhů, které nám dají impuls k tomu, abychom naši Evropu udělali lepším a spravedlivější místem pro všechny.

1-172-0000 Jani Mäkelä, konferenssin täysistunnon jäsen, kansalliset parlamentit (Suomi). – Hyvät eurooppalaiset, haluan sanoa teille, että meidän tulisi ottaa askeleita takaisinpäin integraatiossa ja purkaa liittovaltiokehitystä.

Visioni on vahvojen, itsenäisten kansallisvaltioiden Eurooppa, jossa mailla on oma kielensä ja kulttuurinsa. Meidän pitää lopettaa muiden maiden laskujen maksaminen ja velkojen takaaminen. Euroopan parlamentin ja komission täytyy lopettaa sekaantuminen kansallisiin asioihin, jotka eivät niille kuulu, kuten Suomen metsävarojen käyttöön.

Euroopan maat tarvitsevat vapaakauppaa ja yhteistyötä isoissa kysymyksissä, kuten haitallisen maahanmuuton torjunnassa ja Kiinan suurvaltapyrkimysten estämisessä. Tarvitsemme vähemmän Euroopan unionia mutta parempaa Euroopan unionia. Kiitoksia ja hyvää kokousta kaikille. 19-06-2021 92

1-173-0000 Sven Simon, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Europäisches Parlament. – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Wir haben uns hier in Straßburg in der Stadt versammelt, die vielleicht wie keine andere europäische Stadt für 2000 Jahre Krieg und gerade einmal 70 Jahre Frieden steht, um über nicht weniger als eine neue Vision für die Europäische Union zu beraten.

Es geht um realistische Reformen. Es geht um die Frage, wozu wir Europäer die Europäische Union heute am meisten brauchen. Wir brauchen sie heute am meisten, um in einer Welt von unilateral eigenmächtig agierenden Supermächten europäische Werte und europäische Interessen gemeinsam zu vertreten.

Und dafür brauchen wir meiner Meinung nach einen Paradigmenwechsel von der Binnenorientierung zur Weltorientierung, vom Schutz voreinander in Europa zum Schutz füreinander der Europäer in der Welt. Die Europäische Union muss fokussierter, handlungsfähiger und demokratischer werden.

Diese Konferenz ist noch kein Konvent, aber sie sollte die Erkenntnisse formulieren für einen neuen Konvent, der zu einer Änderung der Verträge führt.

1-174-0000 Marko Pavič, National Parliament (Croatia). – The future of Europe is all about going back to the citizens.

We see now the interinstitutional battles, we see complications. We see also the technical challenges – and I congratulate the Commission on the platform – but it’s easy, it’s simple: we just need to go back to the citizens and talk with them.

When we talk to Croatian citizens, we see that they support the Union. They support the Union because of development, EU funds, social programmes, but they also resent the demographic problems. That’s why we are thankful, Dubravka, that you are taking the lead in the European Commission, in solving this problem, which not only Croatia is feeling.

What do we expect? We expect three things: agreement on whether we should integrate more – Croatia does not want to be in a slower group of countries in a two-speed or multispeed Europe – and we expect also action on the Western Balkans, and I am grateful that Zagreb summit put this back on track with our Prime Minister Plenković; we expect policy recommendations from the citizens; and, finally, we expect clear rules on the next European elections.

So let’s go back to the citizens, talk with them and get back here. Thank you very much.

1-175-0000 Κώστας Μαυρίδης, Μέλος της ολομέλειας της Διάσκεψης, Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, είναι η ώρα των αποφάσεων. Θα μείνουμε ένα οικοδόμημα κοινής αγοράς ή θα προχωρήσουμε σε ένα πολιτικό οικοδόμημα με στρατηγική αυτονομία και γεωπολιτικό ρόλο;

Η σύγχρονη παγκοσμιοποίηση με οικονομικό και γεωπολιτικό ανταγωνισμό, με κινδύνους ασφαλείας και απειλές, ιδιαίτερα στη Μεσόγειο, με προκλήσεις στην κλιματική αλλαγή απαιτούν στρατηγική αυτονομία και ευρωπαϊκή κυριαρχία, αν θα έχει μέλλον η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Η ανάπτυξη με κοινωνική δικαιοσύνη, οι υπαρκτοί κίνδυνοι ασφάλειας, οι παγκόσμιες προκλήσεις· όλα αυτά απαιτούν στρατηγική αυτονομία και ευρωπαϊκή κυριαρχία, αν θα έχει η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση μέλλον.

Πάντως, η πανδημία έδωσε μια απάντηση: οι ακραίοι δογματισμοί δεν είναι η απάντηση για το μέλλον της Ευρώπης, και για περισσότερη δημοκρατία μπορεί να ενισχυθεί και ο ρόλος των αντιπροσώπων των 19-06-2021 93

Ευρωπαίων πολιτών στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Τέλος, πώς γίνεται να μιλάμε για το μέλλον της Ευρώπης, ενώ ευρωπαϊκό έδαφος κατέχεται από τον τουρκικό στρατό στην Κύπρο; Πώς θα διασφαλίσουμε τα θεμελιώδη δικαιώματα όλων των Ευρωπαίων πολιτών, περιλαμβανομένων των Κυπρίων που παραβιάζονται από τον τουρκικό κατοχικό στρατό. Πρέπει και αυτά να απαντηθούν από τη Διάσκεψη.

1-176-0000 Elina Valtonen, konferenssin täysistunnon jäsen, kansalliset parlamentit (Suomi). – Arvoisa puheenjohtaja, hyvät ystävät, tulevaisuutta ei pidä koskaan suunnitella ainoastaan niissä rajoissa, jotka tällä hetkellä tuntuvat mahdollisilta. Länsimainen demokratia, vapaus ja vastuu kaipaavat päivittäin radikaalit esitaistelijansa.

Tarvitsemme visioita, mutta pelkkä haaveilu ei riitä. Euroopan unionin on oltava antihauras. Se edellyttää toimivaa sopimuskehikkoa ja vastuullista, vahvaa markkinataloutta. Emme voi kriisin tullen heittäytyä muiden tai keskuspankin käsivarsille.

Euroopan avain tulevaisuuteen piilee henkisessä pääomassa, ihmisissä. Se tarkoittaa osaamista, mahdollisuuksien tasa-arvoa, liikkuvuutta, vapaata vaihdantaa, ihmisoikeuksia ja digitaalista itsemääräämisoikeutta. Moniulotteinen vauraus, sisäinen ja ulkoinen turvallisuus sekä vireä kansalaisyhteiskunta ovat paras ja ainoa tae eurooppalaisen elämäntavan yhä valoisammalle tulevaisuudelle.

1-177-0000 Vladimír Bilčík, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Dear Chair, dear colleagues and citizens of Europe, it’s great that this Conference has finally begun and I hope that we can be off to an ambitious start. Democracy and independent media are under increasing pressure across Europe, and this Conference should generate answers on how we can further enhance democratic institutions.

Decision-making, dear colleagues, should be in the hands of free citizens and their representatives, not in the hands of those who massively manipulate the public with disinformation by using the uncontrolled power of online platforms. As we discussed a stronger Europe in health and foreign policy, we must also decide on the mechanisms that strengthen our democratic values and the rule of law across all Member States. European citizens need a European political community.

And finally, dear colleagues, if we seriously talk about the future of Europe, let’s do this with our partners and future Member States from the Western Balkans. Without their place in the EU, a European future will not be fully, fully European. So let's be daring. Let's engage and listen to each other and keep a better and stronger Europe on our minds. Thank you very much.

1-178-0000 Jouni Ovaska, konferenssin täysistunnon jäsen, kansalliset parlamentit (Suomi). – Arvoisa puheenjohtaja, terveisiä Suomesta.

Kun olen kuunnellut näitä puheita, tuntuu siltä, että unioni on kuin avioliitto. Tosin tässä unionissa, tässä avioliitossa on kolme eri osapuolta. Avioliitto menestyy silloin, kun puhalletaan yhteen. Myös vaikeista asioista on pystyttävä puhumaan ja käymään niitä läpi, koska muuten jää haavoja.

Olemme puhuneet paljon siitä, että EU on aina kehittynyt kriisien kautta. Mutta monesti kriisit on lopulta lakaistu, eikä ole käyty läpi ongelmia, joita siellä sisällä on. Mutta myös avioliitto perustuu sopimukseen. Sen pohjalta voidaan jatkaa yhteistä tulevaisuutta, jos osapuolet jakavat yhteisen vision.

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Toisaalta tämä tulevaisuuskonferenssi on ikään kuin sukukokous. Tänne mahtuu ääntä ja elämää. Jokainen setä, täti, serkku ja eno haluaa sanoa jotain. Jokaisella on paljon asiaa. Mutta täytyy muistaa, ettei meidän tarvitse koko maailmaa valmiiksi saada tai keskittyä koko maailman kaikkiin asioihin. Euroopan asiat riittävät.

1-179-0000 Catch-the-eye procedure

1-180-0000 Sandro Gozi, membre de l’assemblée plénière de la conférence, Parlement européen. – Monsieur le Président, nous vivons un moment darwinien, c’est un moment de grand changement. Dans ce moment, ce n’est pas le plus fort qui gagne, c’est celui qui fait preuve de la meilleure capacité d’adaptation.

Face à des questions transnationales comme le climat, la pandémie, le numérique, l’immigration, les États isolés sont impuissants. Non, la puissance n’est plus ce qu’elle était. Nous pouvons reprendre le contrôle, mais pas avec les «exits» nationalistes. Nous pouvons le faire ensemble, avec un nouvel engagement européen, citoyen et démocratique. Pour réussir, nous ne devons pas avoir de tabous. Nous sommes au début de la conférence, mais vous pensez déjà au résultat, à la fin. Nous devons être prêts à donner suite aux demandes des citoyens par des solutions concrètes, des décisions politiques, de nouvelles lois, mais aussi la révision des traités.

C’est le moment du «whatever it takes» démocratique. Oui, chers amis, soyons ensemble le changement que nous voulons voir en Europe.

1-181-0000 Niamh Smyth, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Ireland). – Since Ireland achieved her independence, the European project has been the single greatest driver of freedom and economic prosperity. Many historians rightly argued that without the bravery of a generation of young people 100 years ago, Ireland may never have secured its freedom.

Now, as we begin the process of reimagining the future of Europe, I firmly believe that we must have young people at the heart of everything that we do, and in writing the next chapter of the European Union. This conference must ensure that the ideas, hopes and ambitions of young people are at the heart of the future of Europe, and I firmly believe that unless we engage and empower our young people, we will be doing a disservice to the European Union.

More programmes like the Erasmus+ programme must also be central to how the EU engages young people to share their ideas and learn from each other. There is an old phrase in the Irish language: mol an Óige agus tiocfaidh sí. ‘Praise the youth and they will come.’ Let’s use this once-in- a-generation opportunity to listen to those who live in the European Union that we will create through the work of this conference. Let us create a future that we know our children will prosper in.

1-182-0000 Karl-Heinz Lambertz, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Ausschuss der Regionen (Belgien). – Herr Präsident, Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Viele beobachten unsere Konferenz mit Skepsis. Sie erweckt aber auch mancherlei Hoffnungen, nicht zuletzt bei jenen, die sich an den verschiedenen Bürgerdialogen beteiligen werden. Diese Hoffnungen dürfen wir nicht enttäuschen. Ja, da besteht eine echte Bringschuld.

Als einer der Vertreter des AdR in dieser Konferenz möchte ich in aller Deutlichkeit und auch aus tiefer persönlicher Überzeugung unterstreichen, dass die eine Million gewählter Mandatare in den lokalen und regionalen Gebietskörperschaften wichtige und unverzichtbare Verbündete bei der 19-06-2021 95

Gestaltung der Zukunft Europas sind. Wenn wir mehr Bürgernähe und Akzeptanz erreichen wollen, dann müssen wir bei den europäischen Entscheidungsfindungsprozessen in Anwendung des Subsidiaritätsprinzips einiges vom Kopf auf die Füße stellen.

Die Zukunft Europas entscheidet sich nicht nur in den europäischen und nationalen Hauptstädten. Nein, sie entscheidet sich letztendlich in den Dörfern, Städten und Regionen – da, wo die Menschen leben, da, wo sie darüber entscheiden, ob die Europäische Union für sie in ihrem Leben, in ihren Köpfen und Herzen einen nachvollziehbaren Mehrwert für die Verbesserung ihrer Lebensbedingungen hat. Dies dürfen wir zu keinem Zeitpunkt unserer Arbeiten aus den Augen verlieren.

1-183-0000 Assita Kanko, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – I have a question: where are the women? Wo sind die Frauen? Où sont les femmes? Dove sono le donne? ¿Dónde están las mujeres? Waar zijn de vrouwen? Where are they when important decisions are taken?

My name is Assita Kanko and I speak today here as a woman, as Flemish and as a European. Together, we must act here for all citizens. In at least 50% of the cases, that citizen is a female taxpayer. The future of Europe cannot be without the active participation of women. It cannot be without the legacy of enlightenment. By cherishing and protecting human rights, prosperity, security, freedom and our European way of life, we can shape a better future. That is what it is all about.

Of course, the future of Europe cannot be built without our young people or against the Member States. This project is, in that respect, a double-edged sword. Depending on the approach and outcome, this can be something that will enrich or will deepen the gap between the EU and its citizens and its Member States. It can add value or, on the contrary, it can appear purely superfluous.

My feeling today is that we are on the good way. Thank you very much, Commissioner Šuica and Mr Verhofstadt.

1-184-0000 Rūta Miliūtė, Member of the Conference Plenary, National Parliaments (Lithuania). – Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I want to congratulate everyone on the successful beginning of the Conference.

As a member of Lithuanian Parliament, I have to say that Lithuania is a strong supporter of the European Union, but there is an obvious need for discussion on the future. Hopefully, this Conference will become the platform for an open debate around key priorities and challenges.

I stand for a strong, effective and united Europe based on economic and social cohesion, solidarity and sustainable growth, efficient and effective foreign policy, and openness to neighbourhood countries with a European orientation.

Regarding the organisation of the Conference, European citizens should play the leading part in building the EU. Inclusivity and reaching to all sectors of the community should be very much at the heart of the Conference.

However, the European Union is based on a representative democracy and on its Treaties. Therefore, it is important to ensure the strong role of national parliaments during the final stages of the Conference. Focusing on initiatives where we can reach a consensus, hopefully we will achieve results that will meet the expectations of this Conference. 19-06-2021 96

As the last speaker, I feel the need to stress that the future starts today!

1-185-0000 (End of catch-the-eye procedure)

1-186-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – That concludes the catch-the-eye. At the same time, it concludes also the discussion and the debate on the first point on the agenda, on the purposes and expectation of the Conference.

I want to thank all the Members who have intervened in this debate. I can assure you that, based also on all these interventions, this will feed into the work of the Conference in the coming months.

Finally, I want to repeat that on the many interventions that were done on the Western Balkans, there will be a proposal by the executive board to solve that problem and to make sure that they are absolutely integrated in this Conference.

3. Calendar of Conference Plenaries, European Citizens’ Panels and European Citizens’ Event, and Co-Chairs proposal on the organisation of thematic working groups: presentation and discussion

1-188-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – That brings me to the next point on the agenda, and that is the professional calendar and the plenary working groups.

I will not recall and repeat the proposal. You have the proposal, I presume, and everybody knows it – the provisional calendar with the different plenary sessions, the citizens’ panels and the different dates. It’s a very intensive calendar, but absolutely needed because of the short time we have.

Secondly, you have also, I presume, the plenary working groups that are proposed to you, according to the nine topics on the digital platform. The idea is to have nine working groups that will prepare the debates and the proposals of the plenary. We have also found in the executive board a balanced way to chair them between the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the national parliaments and the citizens, represented by the President of the European Youth Forum.

That’s the proposal. And there will, naturally, be members in every working group – that’s obvious. Each plenary member will be a member of at least one working group. That’s also the reason why later on it will be necessary that you send your preferences to your component. So the national parliamentarians to the national parliaments; Members of the European Parliament to the European Parliament; to the Council, respectively, and the Committee of the Regions, and so on.

We will then, with the executive board, make a balanced proposal so that, as there is a balance in the plenary, so the same balance you will find naturally in every working group. That’s the proposal that has been sent to you. Unfortunately, I have to tell you that we got in total many requests to have the floor on that. But we have a material problem, which is that the translation and the interpretation will stop at a certain moment.

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I think the best we can do is to give to every component – to the European Parliament, to the Council, to the Commission and to the representative of the national parliaments – the possibility to give their appreciation, approval, disapproval of the proposal.

1-189-0000 Paul Rübig, Member of the Conference Plenary, Economic and Social Committee. – Co-Chair, I wanted to ask you why the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions is not any more on this list.

1-190-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – I have in total five interventions, so the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the national parliaments and now the Economic and Social Committee can express themselves – that’s the request that I got from Mr Rübig.

The only problem is that from the national parliaments there was more than one request. But I hope, Mr Krichbaum, that you, as a long-standing representative of the national parliaments can give the point of view of the national parliaments. OK, I see you will do that.

So then maybe I can start with Ms Deidre Clune from the European Parliament as the first speaker, and then immediately followed by the Council, and that is our Co-Chair, Ana Paula Zacarias.

(in response to an off-microphone request from Luca Visentini, Social Partners) I give you the floor for a point of order.

So there was also a request from the Social Partners. So yes, for the Social Partners I have Liina Carr.

1-191-0000 Deirdre Clune, Member of the Conference Plenary, European Parliament. – Thank you, Mr Chairman, and thank you to all those who have who have organised, if you like, the nuts and bolts of how we are going to organise ourselves. I can certainly endorse this and accept it, even though I think we have to work in a very short time period now.

I would say the most important thing that we do need to get right absolutely is our engagement with citizens. We need to reach out to all those who do not normally engage, who are not politicised, who are not probably aware that today’s meeting is going on. They’re really, really important. So how we choose citizens, how we engage with them and how we as representatives here actually reach out to them will be really, really important. That needs to be transparent.

I’m talking about the people who are today on a Saturday busy with their families, just come off a week’s work and who don’t really engage on a regular basis. They’re the people we need to reach out to. If we have their input, then we will have success.

So I think the portal is going to be very important. I would also ask about remote participation as that will be important for the members of this conference, because traveling can be difficult. I do believe participation will increase if we have an element of remote participation.

So thank you. Thank you to those who’ve been involved so far, for their work. I am really looking forward to engaging and to ensuring that we do connect with our citizens and do move forward in a better Europe maybe, but also bring the better things that we’ve already had – those good elements. Let’s bring those with us. I’m very much supportive of that. So I look forward to working with everybody. Thank you. 19-06-2021 98

1-192-0000 Ana Paula Zacarias, Member of the Conference Plenary, Council (Portugal). – I just wanted very briefly to say that the Council agrees with the creation of the nine working groups designed to facilitate the works and discussions in the plenary. We hope to receive recommendations from the digital platform, from the national citizens’ panels, from the European citizens’ panels, and we think that these working groups will digest, will evaluate, will concentrate those inputs, facilitate them, then the general discussion in the plenary will follow. It’s our understanding that there will be nine working groups that reflect the themes from the digital platform in a coherent manner, but we need to further discuss the modalities, the function and the chairing of these working groups. It is our understanding that the matter will be referred to the Conference’s executive board for further discussion.

1-193-0000 Maroš Šefčovič, Member of the Conference Plenary, Vice-President of the European Commission. – Thank you very much, Guy, for your very able chairmanship. I also would like to appreciate the rich debate and excellent involvement of the representatives in the plenary.

I would also endorse and support the idea, as you presented it, of setting up the nine working groups. I understand that the details, proper representation, balance and – what I think would be very important – the articulation of the ideas from the digital platform that would make it to the working groups, should be worked on in greater detail at the level of the executive board.

I’m sure that one of the topics which would be very much on the mind of our citizens would be the health situation and what we should do better in the future. But I’m sure that there will be very intense debate from other groups also.

So I would just like to endorse that, support it, and I believe that in the executive board we will find the best possible solution to make this discussion attractive and bring the good ideas back to the plenary.

Thank you very much for that.

1-194-0000 Günther Krichbaum, Mitglied des Plenums der Konferenz, Nationale Parlamente (Deutschland). – Mr President, dear colleagues, liebe Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer der Zukunftskonferenz! Ich glaube, eingangs darf ich sagen: Wir haben eine Aufbruchsstimmung, die auch heute spürbar ist; lasst uns diese Aufbruchsstimmung nutzen! Deswegen brauchen wir in den Arbeitsgruppen sehr schnell funktionierende Strukturen. Und ich möchte den Vorschlag, der auch gerade von Guy Verhofstadt vorgestellt wurde, ausdrücklich unterstützen. Denn es ist wichtig, dass wir zu einer Ausbalancierung kommen, nach Regionen, nach der Geografie, aber natürlich auch nach den politischen Verhältnissen.

Wir brauchen zweitens dann auch in den Arbeitsgruppen Strukturen, die den Informationsfluss zulassen. Das ist auch wichtig in die nationalen Parlamente hinein, denn die nationalen Parlamente müssen das Ganze begleiten. Und so wir in meinen Augen hoffentlich auch zu Vertragsänderungen kommen, müssen die eines Tages auch durch die nationalen Parlamente ratifiziert werden.

Und drittens brauchen wir auch eine Verbindung hin zur COSAC. Das ist natürlich jetzt eher intern, aber auch da gehört dieser Prozess hin begleitet. Und am Schluss

19-06-2021 99 enfin, j’aimerais remercier aussi le président Macron et la présidente von der Leyen, parce que ce sont eux qui ont lancé cette idée de la conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe. Je pense que c’est une chance, alors profitons-en.

1-196-0000 Paul Rübig, Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschuss. – Herr Präsident! Danke, dass es möglich ist, dass auch der Europäische Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschuss hier die Zukunft Europas mitgestalten kann. Für uns ist das sehr wichtig. Wir vertreten immerhin 25 Millionen kleine und mittlere Betriebe, die Industrie, die Produktivkräfte und die Dienstleister. Immerhin 80 Prozent der Steuerleistung wird von diesem Sektor getragen. Und der trägt dazu bei, dass wir ein soziales und nachhaltiges Europa haben können.

Und ich bin auch stolz darauf, dass zwei Drittel der Beschäftigten in kleinen und mittleren Betrieben arbeiten. Wir wissen, dass gerade Demokratie Toleranz und Respekt untereinander und füreinander verlangt und dass es eine wichtige kollektive Identität für dieses Europa geben muss.

Ich glaube, dass es letztlich auch eine Kunst ist, mit dem Wissen aus der Vergangenheit Zukunft zu gestalten. Und das ist unser Ziel, dass wir in der Europäischen Union wieder eine Aufbruchstimmung machen für ein starkes Europa und für eine gute Zusammenarbeit.

1-197-0000 Liina Carr, Member of the Conference Plenary, Social Partners. – Thank you very much, Mr Chair. We, the social partners, represent tens of millions of workers and businesses all over Europe. We are present at the European, national, sectoral and local level with our structures, representatives and activists.

We take up wholeheartedly the call from Vice-President Šefčovič to define together how we want to shape Europe’s future. We are ready to contribute to the debate and to the outcome of the Conference, with our ideas and proposals which come from the ground, from the real economy and from workplaces across Europe.

We are committed to engage and activate our members. But for this to be effective, we need to be fully involved. What we need now is to make sure that the social partners are fully on board in all working groups whose activities will be key for the outcome of the Conference.

We also need the social partners to be involved in the citizens’ panels both at EU and national levels. To keep citizens and social partners and organised civil society separate would be a mistake that we have to avoid. It is key to guarantee the full participation of social partners, which will contribute actively to the success of this Conference. Thank you.

1-198-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – So I can conclude that the plenary approves the proposals concerning the working groups, concerning the provisional calendar for the working groups.

We will send this to the executive board for further implementation of the details, and we’ll give you, naturally, as fast as possible the details on this so that you can give your preferences and we can do our homework in the executive board.

That, for me, concludes our work. But I will now give the floor, first of all, to my co-chair, Ms Šuica, and then to Ana Paula, who will certainly have the last word today as it’s her first and her last plenary. 19-06-2021 100

4. Closing of the Conference Plenary meeting

1-200-0000 Dubravka Šuica, Co-Chair, Vice-President of the European Commission. – Dear colleagues, dear ladies and gentlemen, I must say that today we have written a new page in the European Union project. For the first time, Parliamentarians, government representatives, Commissioners and citizens, together with regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society are shaping the future European Union for our present generation and for future generations to come.

I regularly say that our guideline principle is keeping citizens at the heart of this Conference. Those citizens selected for the panels and plenaries are not alone. You are joined by millions of other citizens from across the European Union and we expect many more will organise events and contribute to the digital platform between now and spring next year, when the Conference draws its conclusions.

But the work does not stop, as then the European Union Institutions will reflect on what the citizens have deliberated and on how to best follow up on it. Commission President von der Leyen has committed to this, and we intend to see it through. It is vital that you, the citizens, can see the impact of your input. The legitimacy of the whole process depends on it.

I want you to know that we will work to make sure that any idea, perhaps your idea, can be discussed first at the local level, then at European level, and eventually be brought to the attention of the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. Words need to be followed by actions in order to deliver concretely for citizens.

1-201-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – Thank you Dubravka. A final word from Ana Paula.

1-202-0000 Ana Paula Zacarias, Co-Chair, Portuguese Council Presidency. – Thank you very much, dear Co- Chairs, and thank you members of the plenary.

It has been a true honour to participate as Co-Chair of the executive board and of this plenary and to contribute to the reflections on the expectations for the Conference on the future of Europe.

There is a lot of enthusiasm. The expectations are high, and in different tones, according to our diversity, we all said the same thing: we need to bring the Union to the citizens and the citizens to the Union. We need to reconnect Europe in an open, transparent and inclusive exercise.

Since this will be my last plenary, I want to take this opportunity to thank my two Co-Chairs, Dubravka Šuica and Guy Verhofstadt. I’ve learned a lot with you along this time. Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation in a truly European spirit.

I also want to thank my colleagues from the Council for their support to the presidency – a presidency that will come soon to a close. I will pass the Chair of the executive board, on behalf of the Council, to my Slovenian colleague, Gašper Dovžan. I really want to wish him all the best and assure him of all my support.

Today, we have heard a lot: a call for inclusion, a call for change, a call for action and results, a call for courage, a call for help. It’s time to deliver. It’s time to work. Long live Europe! 19-06-2021 101

1-203-0000 Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair, Member of the European Parliament. – Colleagues, the next meeting of the Conference plenary is scheduled for 22 and 23 October. Put it in your agendas already. I hope that the next meeting will be fully physical – and we will not be going remote. The next plenary will hopefully be like that.

With that I declare this meeting of the plenary closed. Thank you very much and see you in October.

(The Conference closed at 14.30)