Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions under Article 25 TFEU on progress towards effective EU citizenship 2011-2013

In the framework of the European Year of Citizens 2013 and in accordance with Article 25 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the present report covers major developments in the field of EU citizenship between 1 January 2011 and 31 March 2013. Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, it also refers to the European Citizens' Initiative and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of nationality.

On discrimination on other grounds (Article 19 TFEU), the Commission will, in November 2013, publish a report on the implementation of the Racial Equality Directive and the Employment Equality Directive which will look into discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation in a consistent manner. The Commission will also publish a report on the application of the Directive on equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women.

The Lisbon Treaty gave full legal effect to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which enshrines EU citizens’ rights in its Title V (Articles 39-46). The three Annual Reports on the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, adopted in March 2011, April 2012 and May 2013, hence also include a record of progress on Union citizens’ rights.

See also:
- Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - EU Citizenship Report 2013 - EU citizens: your rights, your future