EU communication policy discussed

The final stakeholder forum on the European Commission White Paper on EU Communication, “Communicating Europe together” – is hosted by the German EU Presidency and organised by the European Commission on 18-19 January 2007 in Berlin.

In her opening speech, European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström, responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, will say: “Public communication is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues in contemporary democracies. There is a high political and ethical dimension to it, and this must be fully acknowledged. (…)

We need to define the common values and principles that will guide our activities. And the starting point to define these common principles can only be the citizens and their democratic rights.

The right to full and fair information about decisions that affect their lives, wherever they are taken;

The right to express their views and to be heard.

Participation in public life crucially depends on the fulfilment of these rights.”

Around 300 participants will discuss how to extend existing – and initiate new – partnerships between the European institutions, Member States, local and regional authorities, political parties and non-governmental organisations with the aim of connecting and communicating better with citizens. As the German Presidency moves ahead with work on reform of EU institutions, more efficient and inclusive communication with European citizens becomes indispensable for the success of Europe‘s common agenda.

Speaking about this issue, Ms Wallström added:”It would be very important that issues of common interest – for example energy security, climate change, the social Europe – are discussed more or less at the same time, by people across the European Union, and possibly within a common framework of values.”

The welcome address will be delivered by Ulrich Wilhelm, Secretary of State and Spokesman of the German Federal Government. The opening session will see eminent speakers, including:

Jean-Luc Dehaene, former Prime Minister of Belgium,

Noel Treacy, Minister for European Affairs of Ireland-Éire,

Gábor Iván, Hungarian State Secretary for Europe and

Günther Gloser, Minister for Europe in the German Federal Foreign Office.

A press conference will be held on 18 January from 16h00 to 16h30 at the conference venue: Press and Visitors’ Centre of the Federal Press Office (Bundespresseamt), Raum 4, Reichstagsufer 14, 10117 Berlin.

More information on the event:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/wallstrom/communicating/berlin_en.htm