Page 14 - Conference on the Future of Europe -Beginning of a New European Union?

EU Institutional issues and functioning of the Union:

- The EU needs to improve its capacity to take speedy and

effective decisions, notably in Common Foreign and Security Policy
(CFSP). All issues decided by way of unanimity should be decided by
way of a qualified majority. The only exceptions should be the

admission of new membership.
- Agreeing on a strong vision and a common strategy to
consolidate the unity and decision taking capacity of the EU in order to
prepare the EU for further enlargement

- Strengthening the role of the High Representative to ensure that
the EU speaks with one voice.
- Conclude major international cooperation agreements as the EU

rather than as individual countries.
- Offer a credible accession perspective for candidate and potential
candidate countries to foster peace and stability in Europe and bring
prosperity to millions of Europeans.

- European citizens should have a greater say on who is elected as
President of the Commission. This could be achieved either by the
direct election of the Commission President or a lead candidate system.
- The European Parliament should have the right of legislative

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initiative , in order to propose the topics to be discussed.
- The EU needs to improve the transparency of its decision-
making process and institutions. For instance, the meetings of the
Council and the European Parliament, including its votes, should be

broadcasted online in the same way.

16 Currently, such competence is exclusively delegated to the European Comission.

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