The European Parliament adopted by 528 votes to 124, with 45 abstentions, a resolution on the European Parliament's position on the Conference on the Future of Europe.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.
Parliament believes that the COVID-19 crisis has further underlined the need to reform the European Union. It believes that 10 years after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, 70 years after the Schuman Declaration and in the context of the current health crisis, the time is ripe for the reappraisal of the Union.
While noting that the pandemic has meant that the launch of the conference on the future of Europe has had to be postponed, Members stressed that the pandemic has highlighted some of the Union's weaknesses. They therefore voted strongly in favour of starting the Conference as soon as possible in autumn 2020.
Reaffirming all aspects of the position it set out in its resolution of 15 January 2020, Parliament called on the Council and the Commission to start negotiations with a view to reaching a common agreement on setting up the conference on the future of Europe before the summer break. It welcomed the Commission's willingness to move forward as soon as possible, however, it did regret that the Council has not yet adopted its position.
Members considered that the Conference process should take into account the EU’s existing recovery instruments and the solidarity that has already been established, while ensuring environmental sustainability, economic development, social progress, security and democracy.
Despite the pandemic, the direct involvement of citizens, civil society organisations, social partners and elected representatives should remain a priority for the Conference.
The Council is invited to include in its mandate a commitment to meaningful follow-up and direct and meaningful involvement of citizens, and to leave the framework of the Conference open to all possible outcomes, including legislative proposals, initiating treaty change or otherwise.