Maastricht Treaty - EU citizenship: what we have learned - what perspectives we have, Bucharest, Romania, 8 April 2025
- Tessy Melidi
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
On April 8, 2025, the National Union of County Councils of Romania (UNCJR) organized the closing event of the European Local Citizens project in Bucharest. The event took place in the symbolic Human Rights Hall within the Chamber of Deputies, reflecting the firm commitment of the partners to the fundamental rights of citizens and the promotion of a united Europe.
Sorin Munteanu, General Director of UNCJR, opened the event by emphasizing the relevance of the Maastricht Treaty and the rights of European citizens, which are essential for understanding the present and future of the European Union. He thanked the partners for their support and welcomed guests from Spain, Greece, Portugal, Hungary, and Cyprus, countries that have significantly contributed to shaping the European path.
Professor Dr. Ion Diaconu offered an essential diplomatic perspective on the impact of the Maastricht Treaty on the European Union and its citizens. He highlighted the fundamental role the Treaty played in the political and economic structure of the European Union, transforming it into a more integrated and stronger entity on the global stage. Professor Diaconu emphasized the importance of embassies and consulates in supporting European citizens, especially in cases where there is no direct representation from a country, as they are crucial for ensuring the protection of their rights. He also addressed the current challenges facing Europe, stressing the need for local bodies and communities to promote human rights and ensure that the voices of women, minorities, and children are heard. He pointed out that EU citizens do not always enjoy all their rights when living in other EU states, such as in education, and called for building conditions to change this.
Emanuel Cernat, Managing Partner of Corporate Affairs Strategies, highlighted the evolution of the concept of European citizenship from the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty to the present. He emphasized that the treaty first established European Union citizenship as a distinct status, granting citizens concrete rights such as free movement, access to the labor market, and participation in the Union's democratic life. His speech provided a clear perspective on how these rights have impacted the daily lives of European citizens and strengthened their sense of belonging to a community united by common values. Cernat also discussed the best years of the Treaty, the shared common identity, and the aspirations of countries like Georgia and Moldova to join the EU. He stressed the importance of educating children about EU history, empowering participation in EU elections, and defending EU citizenship. He warned against attacks not only on individual countries but on the EU as a whole, urging that the spirit of the Maastricht Treaty should not be forgotten.
Andra Diaconescu, Editor-in-Chief of Euronews Romania, spoke from her journalistic experience about how European citizenship influences access to information, press freedom, and public dialogue. She highlighted how the freedoms guaranteed by the European Union allow journalists to work in a democratic framework, where pluralism and transparency are essential values. She emphasized the role of the media in fostering European consciousness by reflecting the stories and concerns of citizens from all corners of the Union. Beyond the daily challenges of the profession, she pointed out the importance of journalists remaining a bridge between institutions and citizens, actively contributing to a more informed and united Europe.
Tessy Melidi, project coordinator from Regiocop LTD, presented the final deliverable of the project, a digital library with valuable resources about citizenship, fundamental rights, free movement, and voting rights, available to the public as an informational and support tool.
The presentations were followed by brief interventions from all the partners, who shared their experiences about the project and their main conclusions for the future. It was an emotional moment after 14 months of six international events that began in Budapest and continued in Kallithea, Llauri, Erimi, Vizela, and Bucharest, along with six local events.
The event concluded with lunch in the Parliament, a visit to the Parliament, and dinner at the Hotel restaurant Diesel with a great view of Lake Floreasca, featuring traditional food, dance, and songs.
The European Local Citizens project involved six partners from Greece, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, and Romania and focused on the rights of EU citizens and the impact of the Maastricht Treaty on their lives. The project's main objective was to raise awareness about the rights conferred by European citizenship, particularly among expats, migrants, youth, women, and other underrepresented groups. It promoted active participation in democratic life and the 2024 European elections, contributing to the strengthening of a more inclusive, informed, and united Europe.
ELC was more than a project – it was a bold step towards a Europe where every voice matters, every right is protected, and every citizen feels at home anywhere in the Union.
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