The Future Of European Citizenship

On February 7th 1992 the treaty of Maastricht introduced European citizenship. This finally defined what an 'EU citizen' is, most obviously in the amended Article 17 of the Treaty of Rome. This declared that in order for one to hold "citizenship of the Union", one must hold "nationality of a Member State". So anyone with nationality to a country within the European union is immediately granted European Citizenship. Consequently all nationals belonging to states joining the EU will also be automatically conferred European citizenship. It was also established (in the case of Micheletti vs. Delegacion del Gobierno en Canabria) that, since being a National is decisive for EU citizenship, it is up to each member state to "lay down the conditions for the acquisition and loss of nationality". In the same case it was also concluded that should a person have dual nationality with only one belonging to a member state, they are to be granted EU citizenship, meaning the EU's citizens are spread beyond the borders.

Citizenship to the EU further unified the member states, often offering citizens equal rights and privileges across the borders, meaning that no distinction is to be made between a EU and a native citizen. However, as is mentioned in the draft EU Constitution (2004), EU citizenship does not replace national citizenship, rather they coincide so both are retained. This implies that citizens must not only abide by the rules and rights of their own country, but additionally to those of the European Union. These attempts to bring Europe together and create a 'European identity' have certainly be questioned, since it is a strange idea to have two different citizenships and virtually two different identities.

Where it's heading-

Since the Treaty of Rome, which established a universal passport colour, the EU has been trying to create a more unified Europe. Symbols such as the European flag and the establishment of a 'Europe Day' (9th May), have tried to create an identity for being a European, although it's hard to imagine that everyone will accept this, especially new citizens. Being a member of the EU requires separating 'nationality' from 'citizenship', terms that usually go hand in hand, and despite whatever treaties are established, for some people this will not change. This disassociation

With several countries applying for membership and Romania and Bulgaria joining next year the EU population continues to grow, as their citizens will instantaneously be granted EU citizenship. Despite this, the large cultural differences between the nations within the EU are cause for concern, since they make integration more difficult. Some argue that there is no real identity for a EU citizen. Without a common language, history or culture it's true that in some ways citizens may not feel part of the same group. However the member states do share a common 'language' in terms of their political principles. Democracy, the rule of law, and individualism are just a few of the unifying elements that are shaping a citizens Europe.

The benefits of a unified Europe have already been briefly mentioned. In general however citizenship to the EU aims to break borders and give concrete rights that benefit all. EU citizenship has, and hopefully will continue to, allow free flow across the borders from nation to nation of everything from general goods for trading, to political thought and citizens themselves. To look at it from an even more general perspective, the aim of furthered unification is to better integrate the European population and thereby (hopefully) ensure stability and peace.

In 2004 the European Constitution for peace was voted on and turned down by the citizens of Europe. The constitution was designed to bring the EU closer together, however it was voted against for several reasons. Firstly the idea of a single constitution threw people off. For many it simply sounded like too much too soon, even though previous