What others think about ECC 2007 and ECC 2009?

What others think of ECC 2009?

Policy makers

"With less than one month to go before the European Parliament elections on 4-7 June, this huge exercise in consulting citizens right across the 27 Member States is making an important contribution to informing the electorate about the important role the EU plays in their daily lives. More than 100 MEPs and candidate MEPs were involved in discussing the citizens’ recommendations for action with them. I'm sure that this was two-way communication with citizens, letting law-makers know which issues concern them most, and parliamentarians taking this on board and informing citizens what the European Parliament can do for them." Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament


“European Citizens’ Consultations provide a unique opportunity for the public to discuss their concerns and ideas with each other, and with policy-makers. They inform and enrich the debate on how to shape effective policies to address the challenges we face, adding to the information we get from opinion polls and consultations with stakeholders.” José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

"My maybe naïve, but firm, conviction is that ECC will help the European Union to make better decisions, better anchored with citizens."  Margot Wallström, Vice President of the European Commission

“The EU cannot function without citizens - and it does not matter what the politicians decide, if the citizens are not satisfied. If we are giving our opinion, then no one can tell us that it was Brussels forcing it on us.” László Kovács, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union
 

“This event provides an opportunity for participants to express their views as to what the EU can offer them and what they believe is lacking - because we really want to open this dialogue with the European citizens.” Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Health

“It is very important not to discuss the EU as an abstract body, but as something for you…I think that these consultations will have a big importance on setting the priorities of the EU for you and for the coming years.” Michał Dowgielewicz, Secretary of State of the Committee for European Integration, Poland

"Progress has been made in comparison to ECC 2007, both in structure and content." Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Finland

"This is part of a mammoth exercise about what the EU should... and shouldn't do."
"This is your chance... Too often there's a view that the EU takes things away rather than adding something to it." Caroline Flint, Minister for Europe, UK

“A forum like yours proves that every citizen thinks about ways of improvement – not only non-governmental organizations and politicians, but every citizen!” Valdis Zatlers, President of Latvia

"I absolutely disagree with those who say that international political questions are too complicated for citizens to understand. Initiatives such as this one, citizens' consultations, are more than useful." Frank Heemskerk, Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, the Netherlands

“Today is not a day for political speeches. Today is a day for political listening…We will listen with great interest – not just to what you say here this weekend but what comes out of this process.” Dick Roche, Minister of State for European Affairs, Ireland

"This effort shows that we care for the common path and the common future of Europe. This consultation will send a message to the EU Member States and the EU." Dimitrios Sioufas, President of the Greek Parliament

 
“The Portuguese government is proud to be associated with this consultation of citizens. We believe that Europe’s economic and social future has to be build by all of us. [...] We look forward to reading your deliberations and taking them into account in formulating future policy.” Maria Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Portugal

Participants

"This is an experience in democracy coming from the people, from the grass-roots. I hope that in the future citizens can be involved in policy-making." Luana, 30, Roma, participants at the Italian consultation

"To me, the most important question is whether our recommendations can make a difference in the EU and how big our influence as citizens will be on political decisions in Europe." Erhard, 60, Rietberg, participants at the German consultation

"This event allows me to feel a real citizen and to do more than just go voting." Daphné, 36, Charleroi, participants at the Belgian consultation

 

"We can't think about improving our life quality without taking into consideration the countries surrounding us." Beatriz, 28, participants at the Spanish consultation


"It is an extraordinary experience - I didn't expect it! People are speaking freely in public, and not in their living rooms. I saw faith, I saw hope." Aleksandra Gesheva, Sofia, participants at the Bulgarian consultation
 

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What others thought of ECC 2007?