The EU Needs a Strong Minority Policy – CoR Plenary Debate on the European Citizens' Initiative

​Greens member Bernd Voss expressed strong support for the Minority SafePack Initiative (MSPI) during the CoR Plenary debate on the European Citizens’ Initiative, in the presence of Christa Schweng, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Pedro Silva Pereira, Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of European democracy and European citizens’ initiative.

The European Citizens’ Initiative is an instrument with which citizens can have a direct influence on European Policy also in between elections. Voss mentioned the successful initiative ‘Water as a public good’ which saw the involvement of many citizens, municipalities and regions, as a good example. It demonstrates that changes are possible and that we must not stick our heads in the sand and ignore citizens’ concerns.

Building on the presentation of Karl-Heinz Lambertz (PES/BE) on the MSPI, Voss reiterated the importance of a strong minority policy particularly in border regions which might have historically seen changes in the national borders. Voss emphasised: ‘through the European Citizens’ Initiative, minorities have shown that the European idea can make an important, very concrete difference. Minorities live in the regions and municipalities of their respective states and especially they know what is happening locally and regionally. However, they are not only rooted in their regions – they think European.’ He further urged for better support and protection of minority languages.

Find out more about the Greens views on the MSPI here​.