The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Wednesday a new initiative on mental health in the European Union (EU), as suggested by citizens’ groups, also proposing a European Convention for “real reform”.
“The Conference on the Future of Europe was important, and after Europe has listened to the voice of its citizens, we now have to deliver. Citizens’ panels, which were central to the conference, will now become a regular feature of our democratic life, and in the letter of intent that I sent today to the president [do Parlamento Europeu, Roberta] Metsola and the Prime Minister [da República Checa, Petr] Fiala, I have outlined a number of proposals for the coming year that stem from the findings and include, for example, a new initiative on mental health,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
In her third speech on the State of the Union, at the plenary session of the European Parliament, in the French city of Strasbourg, the leader of the community executive defended: “We should take more care of each other and for many who feel anxious and lost, support adequate and accessible can make a difference.
This new initiative on mental health at community level was one of the proposals made by citizen groups during the Conference on the Future of Europe, which ended last May after a year of debate between citizens and politicians on the future of the EU , culminating in a report with 49 proposals and more than 320 measures.
It is now up to the European Parliament, the Council of the EU -currently chaired by the Czech Republic- and the European Commission to follow up on the proposals, in accordance with their powers.
“We need a more courageous Union, closer to its people in times of need, more courageous to respond to the historical challenges and daily concerns of Europeans and to walk by their side when faced with the great trials of life,” he stressed. Ursula von der Leyen.
Recalling that, in the 2021 State of the Union speech, she defended a commitment to young people, the leader of the community executive considered that “the place for it is in the founding treaties”, so it is “time to consecrate the Solidarity”. between generations” in these documents.
“We need to improve the way we do things and the way we decide things. Some might say that this is not the right time, but if we are serious about preparing for the world of tomorrow, we have to be able to act. about the things that matter most to people and since we are serious about a bigger Union, we must also be serious about reform,” urged Ursula von der Leyen.
And he revealed: “As this Parliament [Europeu] asked, I think the time has come for a European Convention”.
In her speech, the president of the European Commission also recalled that “millions of Ukrainians knocked on the door” of the EU, after the Russian invasion, urging progress between the Member States in the debate on migration.
“Our actions towards Ukrainian refugees should not be an exception, they can be our plan for the future. We need fair and fast procedures, a crisis-proof system that is quick to implement, and a permanent and legally binding mechanism that ensures solidarity. and, at the same time, we need effective control of our external borders, in accordance with respect for fundamental rights, for a Europe that manages migration with dignity and respect”, concluded Ursula von der Leyen.
Source: TSF
