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