Citizenship of the European Union - Metaphor or Source of Rights

European Social Integration 2004
citizenship of the European Union - metaphor or source of rights
As of February 7th, 1992, citizenship of the European Union (EU; the 'Union') was conferred automatically on nationals of member countries of the European Community. Yet, before I commenced writing this essay I asked two members of the general public on the off chance to give to me their own brief assessment of European Citizenship and its associated rights. In addition to showing a complete lack of interest in the question, the responses were words to the effect of 'what???' and 'something to do with the EU'. Thus, despite frequent European inter-governmental meetings implementing new agreements or Treaty amendments, together with the poignant speeches of various foreign ministers voicing the potential that such developments hold for the people of Europe, it is submitted that a substantial number of the people of Europe are somewhat oblivious to the key aspects of such developments, including that of EU citizenship.
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