Statement: Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič receives organisers of the first successful European Citizens’ Initiative / Parliament kicks off debate on the legal right to water

On the 17 February 2014, the Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič received representatives of the organising committee of the first successful European Citizens' Initiative, Right2Water, for a formal meeting with all Commission services concerned by the initiative.

After listening to the views and arguments of the organisers, the Commission will have until 20 March 2014 to decide on what follow-up it intends to give to this first European Citizens' Initiative.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: First citizens' initiative launched in Greece http://www.europeansources.info/record/first-citizens-initiative-launched-in-greece/

ESO: Background information: Re-connecting Europe with its citizens: the role of the institutions http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-re-connecting-europe-with-its-citizens-the-role-of-the-institutions/

ESO: Background inforamtion: European Citizens' Initiative: Ombudsman invites feedback http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-citizens-initiative-ombudsman-invites-feedback/

ESO: Background inforamtion: European Citizens' Initiative hits 1 million signatures http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-citizens-initiative-hits-1-million-signatures/

EUObserver, 17.02.14: First EU citizens' petition calls for right to water http://euobserver.com/news/123171

EurActiv, 18.02.14: Parliament kicks off debate on the legal right to water http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/parliament-kicks-debate-legal-ri-news-533585

European Parliament: Press Release, 17.02.14: Right2Water urges privatisation ban in first EU Citizens’ Initiative debate http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140217IPR36208/

European Parliament: Press Release, 18.02.14: Interview: 'Water is not a commodity, it is a part of our heritage' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140217STO36262/

Euronews, 17.02.14: Water as a human right http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/17/water-citizens-initiative/

BBC News, 17.02.14: EU studies citizens' water campaign in democracy drive http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26225129

---