Union of European Federalists Goals, Achievements and Proposals

FOR A UNITED AND FEDERAL EUROPE

OUR PARTNERS

30,000members

200 localgroups

24 nationalsections

Founded 1946

ensure Europe’s economic prosperity and relevance in a fast-changing world. As federalists we are critical of the slow-pace and small-steps policy that impedes progress towards greater European integration. We consider nationalism, Euro-scepticism and passive acceptance of division as Europe’s worst enemies. As federalists and voters we passionately call for a European democracy where European citizens - not just national governments - determine the policies of European government. The UEF promotes federalism as the optimum way to organise European unity democratically and effectively while preserving the diversity of our European countries.

Paolo VACCA, UEF Secretary-GeneralUEF Secretary-General

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a pan-European, non-governmental political organisation dedicated to the promotion of European political unity. It was founded shortly after World War II in the belief that only by uniting into a European Federation could the states of Europe overcome the divisions of the past and ensure a future of peace and economic prosperity. Throughout the past 70 years we have been a leading voice in the promotion of European unity and an early campaigner for key milestones in the development of the European Communities and then the European Union.WeWe believe that completing European economic and political unity is urgently required to

WHO WE ARE

MEP, Chair ALDE groupHonorary President of UEF Belgium

Guy VERHOFSTADT

Founder of UEF Italy (1943), Author of Ventotene Manifesto

Altiero SPINELLI

MEP (S&D)UEF President (1997-2006)

Jo LEINEN

MEP (S&D)UEF President (2006-2008)

Mercedes BRESSO

Former MEP (ALDE)UEF President (2008-2013)

Andrew DUFF

MEP (EPP)UEF President, since 2013

Elmar BROK

PROMINENT UEF MEMBERS WE CAMPAIGN FOR A FEDERAL EUROPE!

We raise citizens’ awareness of European issues and the need for European political unity through organised campaigns, public debates, conferences in schools and universities, seminars, street actions and information stands.

WeWe promote the European Federal Project among political parties and politicians at local, national and European levels through lobbying activities, public debates and initiatives in European, national and local parliaments.

We call on national governments to act for a united and federal Europe with petitions, appeals and advocacy activities directed towards decision-makers and opinion-leaders.

WeWe contribute to the European debate with our publications, policy briefs, websites, newsletters and press releases.

We promote the need for European political unity as the response to different policy issues by cooperating with other non-governmental and civil society organizations and platforms.

WeWe engage against nationalists and Euro-sceptics and explain and promote federalism as the way to organise European economic and political unity while preserving the diversity of European countries.

1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

ALWAYS AT THE FOREFRONT!

70 YEARS OF FEDERALIST CAMPAIGNS FOR A UNITED AND FEDERAL EUROPE!

TOWARDS A FEDERAL EUROPE!

EU states cannot be forced to unite into a federal Europe against their will. At the same time, such states cannot be allowed to pick and choose what they want from the EU while preventing other states progressing with integration. A new category of membership, with limited participation in the institutions, could be the alternative for those who choose not to join a federal Union. Flexible and democratic procedures are needed for future treaty amendments, which should enter into force once ratified by the European Parliament and a qualified majority of the states.

A WIDE UNION WITH A STRONG CORE

As long as foreign, security and defence policy remains dependent on the political will, funds and availability of individual member states, divisions and inaction are an inevitable consequence. European policies, initiatives and actions should be democratically decided at European level, rely on enhanced European capabilities and interoperability and be funded through an adequate European budget. Those member States willing to move forward can begin by establishing a permanent structured cooperation. A structured entity should include at least a permanent operational headquarters and a sizable rapid reaction force. A European fund could pool resources of national defence budgets. An integrated approach to European defence should be promoted. of national defence budgets. An integrated approach to European defence should be promoted.

EUROPEANS UNITED ON THE WORLD STAGE

Deeper fiscal integration needs progress to a political union. Progress can be made without change to the existing European treaties, but at a certain point a treaty revision will be required to copper fasten the advancements. Any new treaty must further enhance the capacity of the Union to perform on the international stage. The residual executive powers held by the European Council should be transferred to the European Commission. Decision making by qualified majority vote in the Council and the European Council should become the norm. The task of the European Council should be to steer and manage the Council of Ministers,Ministers, which should become the second legislative chamber of the Union, consisting of permanent representatives. Flexibility is required for decisions affecting only the Euro-area.

EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY

We believe the process of building a European federal union begins with the Eurozone and those states genuinely committed to joining the euro. The Eurozone must have its own fiscal capacity, sustainably driven by its own resources. Suitable taxation mechanisms and new forms of debt instruments are required at European level. Resources should be used to assist states in difficulty, fund projects with pan-European benefits and promote macro-economic stabilisation and growth.

FROM THE EUROZONE TO A FISCAL AND ECONOMIC UNION

Europe is passing through a period of turbulence and uncertainty. The extended financial crisis has led to economic stagnation, unemployment and political fragmentation. The crisis has also exposed the flaws in the design of the Economic and Monetary Union, the weakness of the European Union’s institutions, a lack of commitment to European integration and a lack of solidarity between member states. As a result of these structural flaws and confusion, the proponents of further European integration have lost the trust of many citizens. If the European project is to survive and ensure our mutual prosperity and our global relevance, we must pursue the path of economic and political unity together.together. We fervently believe that a federal Europe, with strong democratic institutions, is the only way to meet this challenge.

OUR PROPOSALS

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

EuropeanFederalists

uef

@federalists

european.federalistUEF European Secretariat Square de Meeûs 25B - 1000 Brussels

+32 (0)2 508 30 30contact@federalists.eu

www.federalists.eu

Europäische Föderalistische Bewegung Österreich | Austria

UEF Belgique | Belgium

Съюзът на европейските федералисти | Bulgaria

Unie evropských federalistů v ČR | Czech Republic

Κίνηµα Ευρωπαίων Φεντεραλιστών Κύπρου | Cyprus

Eurooppafederalistit ry | Finland

Union des Fédéralistes européens | FranceUnion des Fédéralistes européens | France

Europa-Union Deutschland | Germany

Ελληνική Κίνηση Ευρωπαίων Φεντεραλιστών | Greece

Európai Föderalisták Uniója Magyarország | Hungary

Movimento Federalista Europeo | Italy

Europos Federalistų Sąjunga Lietuvoje | Lithuania

UEF Luxemburg | Luxembourg

Unije evropskih federalista Crna Gora | MontenegroUnije evropskih federalista Crna Gora | Montenegro

Unia Europejskich Federalistow | Poland

União dos Federalistas Europeus de Portugal | Portugal

Uniunea Europeană Banat din România | Romania

Unija Evropskih Federalista Srbija | Serbia

Únia Európskych Federalistov | Slovakia

Društvo Združena Evropa Slovenije | Slovenia

Unión de Europeístas y Federlistas de España | SpainUnión de Europeístas y Federlistas de España | Spain

Neue Europäische Bewegung Schweiz | Switzerland

Federal Union | United Kingdom

UEF Group Europe | EU Institutions

© Union of European Federalists 2014

UEF is Co-funded by the European Union

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