Olivier Chastel optimistic about the entry into force of the citizens’ initiative
Since the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the “citizens’ initiative” has been added to the range of instruments available to European citizens through which they can get involved in the policymaking of the European Union.
Thanks to this new right, Europeans may submit a request to the European Commission to present a legislative proposal.
In order to establish this new instrument, the State Secretary for European Affairs Olivier Chastel met with European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, European representatives and co-rapporteurs of the AFCO Committee (Constitutional Affairs) Alain Lamassoure and Zita Gurmai, as well as with the co-rapporteurs of the PETI Committee (Petitions) Diana Wallis and Gerald Haffner.
"The Belgian presidency is placing this dossier on its list of prime objectives to be realized between now and the end of December 2010", explained Olivier Chastel during this first informal trialogue. The State Secretary was also pleased with the intention of the European Parliament to draft a common position with the Council so as to reach an accord at first reading.
On 14 June, the Council of the EU approved a general approach defining the starting position for negotiations with the European Parliament, however in order for true negotiations to be able to start, it is important that the Council be submitted a consolidated position from the European Parliament. State Secretary Olivier Chastel reiterated the points on which agreement must be reached: the number of states from which the signatures will be required, verification of admissibility, the definition of the organizer of this initiative, the legal basis,…
The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU will enter into a dialogue with the Parliament as soon as the latter has reached a consolidated position. "Our concern is to conclude this dossier as soon as possible during our presidency. Citizens have difficulty understanding why an instrument that was presented as a major step forward for democracy is still yet to be implemented", concluded Olivier Chastel. The regulation on citizens’ initiative should be approved by the European Parliament at the plenary session of December 2010.
