The Danish EU Presidency launches the EU's Citizen Initiative

From 1 April, the populations of the EU countries gain the right to set the EU agenda through the Citizens' Initiative. 1 million citizens from at least seven EU member states can make the Commission propose legislation before the Council and Parliament. The EU Citizens' Initiative is part of the Lisbon Treaty and aims to strengthen the openness and democracy in the EU.

Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen says:

”When 1 million citizens have spoken, it will be noticed. The media will show interest and write about it. Consequently the politicians will have to respond. It is a new opportunity to set the agenda of the EU debate”

The Citizens' Initiative is launched in Copenhagen with a public debate under the headline ‘The EU and its citizens: Opportunities and challenges of Citizens' Initiative’ on 27 March at 15.30-17 in the Europe House. The debate is organized by the Danish Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the European Parliament and European Commission offices, program below:

15.30: Welcome by the Head of Mission Mr Jan Høst Schmidt
15.35: Nicolai Wammen, Minister for European Affairs
15.50: Jens Joel (S), Jakob Ellemann-Jensen (V) and Søren Winther Lundby, New Europe
16.30: Discussion and questions from the audience
17.00: Reception hosted by the Europe House
Moderator: Rasmus Nielsen, Editor-in-Chief, Altinget

The event is open to all - register here www.europa-huset.dk

On 28 March the Citizens’ Initiative is launched in Brussels at a press conference at 13.30 in the European Parliament with the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, the Danish Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen and Vice-President of the Commission, Maroš Šefčovič.

Contact:
Public debate in Copenhagen: Rina Valeur Rasmussen, Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, e-mail: rinras@um.dk / T: +45 25 28 37 99
Press conference in Brussels: Preben Aamann, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, e-mail: pre-aam@um.dk / T: +32 499 57 83 27