European Year of Citizens
In 2013, Europe celebrates its European Year of Citizens. Since 2010, Viviane Reding has been the European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. In this interview, Ms Reding explains the particular features of being an EU citizen.
Ms Reding, why is 2013 the “European Year of Citizens”?
“My message to people is: Be Aware of Your Rights as Europeans! Every citizen of one of the 27 Member States of the European Union is also an EU citizen. EU citizens have the right to reside anywhere in the EU.
Anyone who moves to anther EU country must deal with issues regarding the recognition of professional qualifications, access to education and health services, and social security rights. In all these areas, citizens have rights which apply all across Europe. So do students and tourists who spend time in one of the countries of the European Union.”
How is this regulated in Luxembourg?
“Whoever comes across the border to go shopping should be aware of their rights as a consumer. If EU citizens live in a different EU country to their country of origin, they have the right to vote and stand as candidate in European Parliament and municipal elections. And for the cross-border commuters who, almost as a matter of course, change countries every work day to work and to live, the crossborder applicability of existing rights is of great importance.”
What message would you like to give to people?
“Europe is what we make of it. Europe is a fantastic adventure! Within the context of the European Year of Citizens, everyone should express their opinion on Europe and be aware of their European rights.
I already look forward to 30 June, when we can discuss Europe together in the Rockhal in Esch/Alzette!”
Viviane Reding - Vice-President of the European Commission
Viviane Reding was born in Esch/Alzette (Luxembourg) in 1951. She began her political career in Luxembourg in 1979. Ten years later, she became a Member of the European Parliament and head of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) delegation in the European People’s Party (EEP). Since February 2010, she has been the Vice-President of the EU Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
For the first time, P&TLuxembourg is issuing a stamp with an embedded web reality function, giving you access to content specifically designed for the stamp.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Download the smartsy application from the Apple Store for iPhones, or from Google Play Store for Android phones.
- Take a photo of the stamp (full front view), using the smartsy application (available for iOS and Android).
- smartsy will redirect you to the site which has all the information you need on the European Year of Citizens.
| Price of the stamp: | 0,60 € |
|---|---|
| Layout: | Binsfeld (L) |
| Printing: | Multicoloured high-resolution offset with web reality (smartsy) by Cartor Security Printers, La Loupe (F) |
| Dimensions: | 29,07 x 38 mm, 10 stamps per sheet with decorated borders |
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