PARTICIPATION AND INFLUENCE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS AT THE EU LEVEL
PARTICIPATION AND INFLUENCE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS AT THE EU LEVEL

Summary/Abstract: Following the reform realised by the Lisbon Treaty, the active role of European citizens and of the associations that represent them have a central position in the functioning of the Union. Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) emphasizes the importance of participatory democracy in all its aspects and the role played by citizens and associations that represent them in efforts to make public their opinions and to exchange views in all areas of Union action. In the context of the designation of 2013 as the European Year of Citizens, the European Union pays special attention to enhance awareness and knowledge of the rights and responsibilities attached to Union citizenship, with a view to stimulating and strengthening active participation of European citizens in civic and democratic life of the Union through the European Citizens initiative. Therefore, this study tries to identify obstacles to the exercise of this right and also to expose in a clear, simple and accessible way, the procedures and conditions required for a citizens initiative.

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