European citizenship

There is no consensus on the definition of citizenship. Nevertheless, we can describe citizenship as a relationship between the individual and the political community, through which the citizen acquires rights and duties, responsibilities and privileges. The notion of European Citizenship was first presented in 1992, in the Treaty of Maastricht, which has been posteriorly revised by the treaties of Amsterdam and Lisbon. European citizenship is held in addition to national citizenship and does not, in any time, replace it. Therefore, any citizen who holds the nationality in any of the 27 member-states of the European Union (EU) is inevitably also an European citizen. This means that while I am, for instance, a Portuguese citizen, with the rights and duties which citizenship involves, I am also an European citizen, with additional rights and duties. Being an European, I have certain significant rights: the right to move and reside freely within the EU; the right to vote for and stand as a candidate in European Parliament and municipal elections; right to diplomatic and consular protection; right of petition to the European Parliament and complain to the European Ombudsman. In my opinion, these rights, supplied by European citizenship, benefit everyone. The idea of European citizenship contributes to approximate the population of each state-member, providing them the feeling of belonging to a community and sharing certain ideas and ambitions. Being members of the European Union we have freedom of movement with a wide range of opportunities, specially, in work and education. Therefore, the principle of European citizenship encourages people to live, study or work aboard within the EU. I do believe that European symbols have an active role, helping people to feel more European. Firstly, the single currency is certainly a positive aspect, which facilitates the trading between countries and makes travelling easier. Secondly, every European reckons the twelve gold stars on a blue background; it makes part of our everyday life. As for the official anthem, the Ode to Joy from Beethovens Ninth Symphony, it may not be so recognizable but I think it is a beautiful melody that represents what Europe stands for. Of course, our individual national symbols are much stronger than the European ones. Thats because the European Union is an aggregate of different countries, which already had their own symbols. European identity is still being formed.